Who would have thought that the little country singing, trout fishing town of Gore would be attracting designers from across the globe? Yes that's right – it's Hokonui Fashion Design Awards time!
I went for the first time last year and was really surprised. After living in Sydney for six years I had become a fashion snob (how could you walk out of the house looking like that?!), so when I went to the awards in Gore last year I was not expecting much, HELL I was expecting the event to be held in a wool shed. But it was up there with anything I had seen in Sydney.
This year the event will be fought out on an international scale with designers entering from NZ, India and Australia. And with $26,000 in prizes up for grabs, it will be game on! Awards convenor Heather Paterson is pleased that this years awards have gone international. I believe there is just so much talent here in New Zealand, but to get overseas entrants is really great, she says.
The awards are in their 22nd year and the event looks certain to stay in the southern city. Its incredible the support we receive and having the awards in a small town like Gore is what makes the event so special, Heather says.
The awards will be held over two nights on July 30 and 31 at the Gore Town and Country Club. Each year the judging panel attracts some of the best in the business. 2010 Judges include: Denise L'Estrange, of World, Theresa Brady, of Doosh, Adrian Hailwood of Hailwood, Anjali Stewart, of Twenty Seven Names, and Invercargill fashion designer Emily Kerse who has a self-titled label. Compere for the awards is Brendon Pongia, well known in the South for his basketball exploits and also as a presenter on TV1s Good Morning Show
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Tickets go on sale 24 June at the Gore Visitor Centre, ph 03 203 9288.
Residents outside of Gore can ring with credit card details to purchase tickets.
But get in quick, as in previous years the tickets have been known to sell out in a matter of hours.
Article by Craig Lawson
www.craiglawson.net