Late Eden Hore frock collection modelled

Central Otago's hinterland has hosted a landmark photoshoot of items from the Eden Hore fashion collection.

The items, part of the couture collection of the late Mr Hore, a Naseby farmer, were photographed in locations such as St Bathans, Bannockburn and Mt Buster, near Naseby, during a three-day photoshoot this week.

The project aimed to build a collection of photos and video of some of the Eden Hore collection, which contained almost 300 dresses of New Zealand 1970s and 1980s high fashion, Eden Hore advisory board member and photoshoot co-ordinator Paul Blomfield said.

The images would be used to promote the collection and pave the way for future viewings or exhibitions, Mr Blomfield said.

"It's about bringing it to the public and building the audience so that when it's exhibited at some time in the future there's already a public that knows about it and is looking for it, and it will be a more valued event."

The council bought the Eden Hore collection for $40,000 from the Hore family in 2013 and earlier this year entered a partnership agreement with Te Papa, which formalised its support of council holding the collection.

Mr Blomfield said it was "exciting" to have some of the garments worn after they had been in storage for so long. The collection is stored at Central Stories Museum and Gallery, in Alexandra. It was touching to see the area where Mr Hore had farmed, he said.

He said the collaboration and generosity of the photoshoot team was overwhelming. The team included Australian Derek Henderson, who shot Jacinda Ardern for Vogue.

Those involved were reimbursed for costs having volunteered their time.

"The Central Otago ratepayers don't have to worry that this is costing them a bomb, quite the contrary."

The images would be released early next year.