WoolOn event surpasses expectations

• Published date: 19 August 2021
• Publication title: Central Otago News

The creative fashion competition is done and dusted for 2021. But already the woollen thinking caps are on for next year.

More than 100 people attended the WoolOn expo workshops on Sunday at Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery in Alexandra, following the preview and catwalk events on Friday and Saturday nights at The Canyon, near Tarras.

WoolOn winning garments were displayed, with demonstrations of woolcraft techniques for spinners, felters, weavers and upcyclers.

WoolOn governance committee chairwoman Mary Hinsen was pleased with attendance numbers at the workshops which augured well for entry numbers next year. The newly revived show attracted 40 entries.

‘‘They [the workshops] went really well. This was a first and we put them on to see how they’d go, and I’d say we would definitely do it again. And if it’s what’s wanted we’d plan to have a whole series of learning and support opportunities so that people are supported.’’

Last week, the WoolOn committee received a $10,000 grant from Central Otago District Council, but with reservations from some councillors about the bail out because of the tardiness and quality of the application.

This week, the committee would be having a debrief to discuss what had worked and what could have been done better.

‘‘From the feedback we got, the designers really valued being part of the dress rehearsal on Friday night. No other event gives them that opportuntiy to see how their entry translates to the catwalk, and how to show that garment the best.’’

What could be improved on was giving the audience more details about the designer and design without revealing their name so that they could remain anonymous to the judges, she said.

The WoolOn 2021 supreme award first runner-up winner was Charlotte Hurley, of Alexandra, who dusted off her design skills in the newly-introduced re-purposed section.

The 35-year-old first-timer has a degree in fashion design, but has not been active in the industry since 2006.

She purchased an old hospital blanket and used the blue edging as a feature on the bottom of a gown and clutch bag.

‘‘I thought this is something I can make that is really unique and a huge contrast between a heavy blanket, which is something quite different than what people would use for an evening gown. I think people aren’t used to seeing that weight of fabric in evening dresses.

‘‘I was just really proud to see it being modelled [by Tayla Fry] and when it won the category I thought, ‘wow, that’s my outfit’. I had...