The Omakau wool store was bursting at the seams during a fashion parade featuring Central Otago designers who work with wool, along with winning entries from the WoolOn Awards, the biennial fashion competition which featured garments with a minimum of 70% wool content.
Third-generation WS Hickey & Son director Hayden Hickey said he was delighted with the number of people who had come to see what they did.
"I think everyone learned something."
Alexandra woman Robyn Marshall displayed her 1973 wedding dress crocheted by her and her mother Ann McRae, along with two bridesmaids’ gowns.
Creative Fibre Alexandra, formerly Spinners and Weavers, showcased their wide range of skills from spinning and weaving to knitting and felting.
Upcycled garments from woollen blankets were demonstrated by Shona Bain, of Alexandra.
Roxburgh designer Elaine Booth, of The Fashion Booth, led the way with an evening gown designed as an Anzac tribute.
It featured hand made poppies down on side and silk sun flowers on the other representing hope for the future, Ms Booth said.
Garments from Eweburn Creek designer Lucy Girvan were made from 23-micron merino sourced from her parents’ property about 10km from Ranfurly.
Exquisite tailoring by both Ms Booth and Mrs Calder showed the versatility and potential longevity of wool.
Mrs Calder’s checked trench coat and Ms Booth’s hand finished coats, which were all one-off, could be passed down through generations.
A traditional country-style afternoon tea concluded the afternoon which had also featured the judging of the Royal A&P Society Golden Fleece Awards with more than 100 fleeces from around the country.
