Fashion show returns on new runway

Tayla Fry models Alexandra designer Charlotte  Hurley’s design. Hurley was named WoolOn 2021...
Tayla Fry models Alexandra designer Charlotte Hurley’s design. Hurley was named WoolOn 2021 first runner-up. PHOTOS: SHANNON THOMSON
Emily Derham models Dunedin designer Simon Montgomery’s quilted streetwear creation.  The design...
Emily Derham models Dunedin designer Simone Montgomery’s quilted streetwear creation. The design was named WoolOn 2021 supreme winner.
Cromwell College year 11 pupil Izzy Miscisco  (16)  models her own design at WoolOn.
Cromwell College year 11 pupil Izzy Miscisco (16) models her own design at WoolOn.

It was a gamble reviving WoolOn in a new location and direction, but it has paid off, WoolOn governance committee chairwoman Mary Hinsen says.

The creative fashion event, which was founded in Alexandra, was staged at The Canyon at Tarras Vineyards on Friday and Saturday nights to a jam-packed audience.

"It was a real leap of faith to put this together because we didn’t know if we would have the designers’ support, or have the community support, and overwhelmingly we did, so it was wonderful," Mrs Hinsen said.

The first-time committee was on a steep learning curve and there were lessons learned from a show that had been put on pause since 2018 because of venue issues in 2019, then Covid-19 last year, but Mrs Hinsen had confidence there was enough support to make it bigger and better next year.

"For me WoolOn was about people and that’s the big thing," she said.

"WoolOn is about community, it’s about giving individuals a hand up."

An emphasis on nurturing younger designers, with the introduction of a school section gave young people the opportunity to discover new career paths they never knew existed, Mrs Hinsen said.

Dunedin designer Simone Montgomery won the supreme award with a quilted streetwear creation.

Charlotte Hurley, of Alexandra, won the newly introduced re-purposed section, focused on giving garments and fabrics new life, and was awarded first runner-up in the supreme award.

The 35-year-old first-timer had attended WoolOn events in the past, but never entered, and had not been active in the industry since she competed her fashion degree in 2006.

She purchased an old hospital blanket from Trade Me and used the blue edging as a feature on the bottom of gown.

"I was just really proud to see it being modelled and when it won the category I thought, ‘Wow, that’s my outfit’.

"I had absolutely no expectation at all."

She had put a painstaking amount of effort into the seams and tailoring and was "shocked" to be named runner-up as the standard of entries was so high.

Wilma Falconer, of Invercargill, went to WoolOn with no expectations, and left as the winner of the Collections section with a series of crocheted short kilts, and knitted shrugs and caps.

The first-time entrant was a keen knitter and was encouraged by her yarn supplier to enter.

She did not think her clothes were anything fancy.

"They’re clothes to wear, that you can wear."

- By Mary-Jo Tohill

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