Fleece, fashion and everything in between was the theme of WS Hickey & Son’s 70 years in business celebration on Saturday.
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.
From grabbing and coring bales for samples to high-end fashion on the catwalk, the traceability of New Zealand wool was highlighted during the afternoon.
Alexandra woman Robyn Marshall displayed her 1973 wedding dress that she and her mother Ann McRae crotcheted, along with two bridesmaids’ gowns.
Creative Fibre Alexandra, showcased its wide range of skills such as knitting and felting.
Upcycled garments from woollen blankets were demonstrated by Shona Bain, of Alexandra.
The event also featured a fashion parade of wool garments.
Roxburgh designer Elaine Booth led the way with an evening gown designed as an Anzac tribute. It featured handmade poppies down one side and silk sunflowers on the other, representing hope for the future, she said.
