Gisborne business wins in Wellington Gold Awards

Sally Shanks (fourth right) was last night awarded first place in the Wellington Gold Awards “emerging services” category for her business The Formary. Picture supplied

AN innovative textile business co-owned by Gisborne woman Sally Shanks (fourth right) was last night awarded first place in the Wellington Gold Awards “emerging services” category.

Known as the Formary, the business champions the “circular economy” by repurposing old fabrics and food waste into new products.

The Wellington Gold Awards celebrate excellence in business in the Wellington Region.

Among fabrics created from surplus fibres are Wojo, a blend of New Zealand wool and recycled coffee sacks, Juton, a blend of off-cut cotton from clothing manufacture and coffee sack jute, and Mibu, a textile made from rice straw fibre woven with wool.

Ms Shanks could not be reached by phone this morning but posted the announcement on Facebook last night.

“In Welly right now," she wrote.

:We just won Gold Emerging Business category. It was pretty darn exciting and a little bit like being at the Oscars.”