The free public event, a satellite event of this weekend’s Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival, will be held this Friday, from 5.45pm, in the Josephine Foyer at Toitū Otago Settlers Museum.
An Evening with Eden Hore will feature a panel discussion involving Dr Jane Malthus, co-author of the book Central Otago Couture: The Eden Hore Collection, publisher Michael Upchurch (Te Papa Press) and Paula Penno of Eden Hore Central Otago Trust.
Dr Malthus said that, along with exploring the life, story and fashion of the Eden Hore collection, the event would be a chance for book lovers to hear about the complex process of putting together the glossy, highly illustrated book from its publisher.
Ms Penno and a Central Otago District Council representative will also speak about the impact of the Eden Hore collection as a tourist attraction for Naseby and the wider region and future plans.
Dr Malthus said the Eden Hore collection was remarkable both as a record of New Zealand high fashion, and also from a historical preservation point of view.
"For example, there are more than 30 garments in the collection created by New Zealand designer and couturier Kevin Berkahn," she said.
"Kevin believes that if Eden Hore hadn’t collected those garments, many of them may not be in existence today."
Since Toitū Otago Settlers Museum mounted its exhibition featuring highlights from the Eden Hore collection earlier in the year in the Material Culture gallery, and the book was published, there had been a lot of interest from across the country.
"People have been coming forward with stories of their own involvement with the collection, including former models," Dr Malthus said.
Friday’s event will include non-alcoholic drinks and nibbles, and a chance to view the collection exhibition afterwards. The book Central Otago Couture: The Eden Hore Collection will also be available to buy.
