Designer hopes gold will have 'wow factor'

Jennie Page is working her magic with scissors, a teabag and tea tin. Photo / Duncan Brown

Hastings Pak'nSave Edible Fashion Awards winner Jennie Page is hoping metallics will be magic for the second year running.

Her shimmering silver design Argento Bianco Nero was inspired by a Venice carnival, and took out Cake Stuff Adult Designer for 2014.

The body was foil chip packaging fused together using an iron, while frills and other detail on the hat, skirt, bodice and necklace were made from myriad items, including coffee filters, shopping bags, tapioca pearls, poppy seeds and Mint Imperials.

Ms Page held off entering the contest this time around until the Legends of the Silver Screen theme was announced.

"I thought this will be a good challenge," she said.

"I'm using gold instead of silver this time to give that wow factor."

Her garment, inspired by one of Elizabeth Taylor's characters from the 1960s has been six months in the making.

Early on, she was able to secure two major sponsors - Whittaker's Chocolate and Bell Tea - which allowed her to start work straightaway.

"They sent me a whole lot of materials straightaway so I was able to get the costume going.

"It was nice winning last year. It's probably dangerous revisiting the scene of the crime but I thought I would do it again while my daughter is still here to model for me."

This time around construction was "more intensive" and had been the cause of a few tears when a headpiece she had spent three weeks on fell to bits.

Wake Up You Lazy Lump, designed by Jennie Page and modelled by Jennie Page during the Pakn'Save Edible Fashion Awards Kiwiana 2013 in Hastings.

One week out she is all finished and has already done a couple of fittings on the model, but a repair kit will be on hand in case of last-minute emergencies.

Now running as part of Hawke's Bay's Food and Wine Classic [F.A.W.C!] the awards are set to be bigger and better than ever, says organiser Joanna Smith.

"Excitement is certainly mounting and we are very pleased with how ticket sales have been tracking so far," she said.

"There's a lot of talk around town about judge Colin Mathura-Jeffree who is in the midst of competing on Dancing with the Stars and he is certainly going to bring a great deal of charisma."

This year promises to be an exciting show offering great entertainment and some brand new elements.

Entries were also up on previous events with entrants hailing from far off as Wellington.

"Every year we aim to lift the awards to the next level and we believe this will be a show like no other," Ms Smith said.

Fashion made entirely out of food or food packaging will be held at Hawke's Bay A&P Showgrounds from 6.30pm on Saturday, June 13.

Tickets are still available from eventfinder.co.nz or phone 0800 BUY TIX.