Princess Clooney, created by Jan Simpson and Carly Tolley and modelled by Indica, was the winner of the all-ages category of the Wearable Arts Fashion Awards – the main event of the Hospice Tairāwhiti Long Lunch held in Gisborne on Saturday. Right of her is runner-up Fan, Glam and Glitter by Rachelle Cumming and left is Bright Spark by Dale Smith. Photo / Beka Melville
Princess Clooney, created by Jan Simpson and Carly Tolley and modelled by Indica, was the winner of the all-ages category of the Wearable Arts Fashion Awards – the main event of the Hospice Tairāwhiti Long Lunch held in Gisborne on Saturday. Right of her is runner-up Fan, Glam and Glitter by Rachelle Cumming and left is Bright Spark by Dale Smith. Photo / Beka Melville
An outfit based on an infamous Disney character and made completely out of waste products lit up the catwalk at a sell-out Hospice Tairāwhiti Long Lunch fundraiser in Gisborne on Saturday.
Nearly $21,500 was raised from the event, which included the Wearable Arts Fashion Awards, silent and live auctions of44 different items, a raffle and a hospice pop-up shop, along with the lunch and music held at The Vines Restaurant at Bushmere Estate.
The stars of the day were the creators and their creations. For the first time, the fundraiser featured a Wearable Arts component in two categories – all ages, for which the theme was Festival World, and 5-12 years, which had the theme Circus Circus.
Designers were encouraged to let their imaginations run wild. And they did.
The all-ages section featured eight entries and the winners had a strongly environmental theme.
Jan Simpson and Carly Tolley, who have backgrounds in fashion and interior design and both work at Tairāwhiti Environment Centre, created an outfit they called Princess Clooney.
Their aim was to transform waste into “fashion couture” with their creation, which was inspired by a rubbish truck scene from the 101 Dalmations-based Disney movie Cruella about a young woman who becomes a notorious fashion designer.
Every part of their entry was sourced from Environment Centre materials otherwise destined for landfill ... garden cover netting, coffee pods, air-conditioner ducting and polystyrene.
Runner-up was Rachelle Cumming’s colourful outfit titled Fan, Glam and Glitter. The hairdresser used such materials as bubble wrap, foils, upholstery vinyl and a recycled mosquito net.
The winner of the 5-12 years category, which had the theme Circus Circus, was Teddy Rooster made by Huia Jean McKay Ehau.
Huia Jean McKay Ehau won the 5-12 years category with her Teddy Rooster creation that celebrates “a love for the forgotten teddies of the world”.
The 10-year-old’s final product was part clown, part ringmaster, part acrobat and part circus tent, adorned with teddy bears, soft toys and dolls.
The People’s Choice award was won by long-time Tairāwhiti arts supporter Cherie Gaukrodger for her equestrian-themed entry Show Pony, a nod to Gisborne’s annual A&P Show and the NZ Horse of the Year Show.
The winners were decided by a panel of three judges – former World of Wearable Art Awards entrant and judge Susan Holmes; acclaimed multimedia artist and fashion designer Lindah Lepou; and local Sarah Cleave, who has been heavily involved in Tairāwhiti’s creative community in its many forms.
Event manager Lisa Sherratt said organisers were grateful for the “enthusiasm and support” shown for the event.
“Everybody has come in with bold, wonderful, fashionable spirit, really getting behind and supporting hospice – the whole essence and meaning behind it,” Sherratt said.
“We’re seeing a lot of creativity. Everyone has got some great energy and some beautiful outfits, so it is a lot of fun.”
She said organisers had been excited that “Gisborne had such great talent” with the entries to the Wearable Arts show.
“We’ve been blown away by the entries and the creativity that we’ve seen from the young kids and the adults.”
The auctions proved popular, with the array of items including framed original paintings by late local artist Graeme Mudge, golf experiences, firewood, a White Ferns-signed cricket bat, a Lord of the Rings oilskin jacket and holiday getaways.
A hand-painted silk dress made and donated by Holmes was sold by live auction for $1000.
A raffle for a $1000 ring was also held.
The Long Lunch major sponsor was Bronwyn Kay, who has had first-hand experience with the service.
“When my mother was diagnosed with cancer and her illness became terminal, the support we received from Hospice was invaluable,” she said.
“Their guidance, compassion and home visits made an incredibly difficult time more manageable for our family.
“Hospice enables individuals to pass with dignity and gives families peace of mind, knowing their loved ones are receiving the highest-quality care.”
