With two weeks until WoolOn entries close, only one submission has been received.
Despite the single entry, the creative fashion event's organiser remains ''quietly confident''.
Blossom Festival event manager Martin McPherson said he was not surprised there had been only one entry for the event, part of the Blossom Festival in spring.
''People do tend to leave these things to the last minute which do my nervous tension levels at this time of year no good, but the positive thing is this entry came from the North Island [from someone] who has never entered before.''
In the past, the event had averaged about 70 entries and one had come from as far away as northern India, Mr McPherson said.
''I'm confident we will get a good number of entries this year because we have managed to get information in front of a whole new audience.''
Entry forms had been distributed to 120 craft and wool shops throughout the country, with feedback positive, he said.
Contact had also been made with tertiary design schools.
The calibre of work had ''absolutely amazed'' judges in the past, and they had been impressed with the level of imagination and creativity, he said.
After entries closed, organisers would not see garments until early September, and the fashion show would be held at the Dunstan High School gymnasium on Friday October 10.
Garments entered must contain at least 75% wool, and the contest is divided into eight categories, with a separate prize for the supreme winner.
WoolOn was started as part of the New Zealand Merino Shears to showcase the use of wool in fashion and became part of the Blossom Festival nine years ago.
Entries close on August 16.
