Bernina Northland Fashion Awards winner uses life experience to shape design

Bernina Northland's Tim and Sandy Robinson, model Robert Spriggs and Northland designer of the year Carole Hebberd. Photo/Sarah Marshall Photography

A first time entrant's design inspired by her own experience has taken out the top award at the Bernina Northland Fashion Awards.

Carole Hebberdfrom Waipu was named Northland designer of the year at Forum North on Saturday.

Her design, a contemporary medieval warrior called Me and My Shadow, was modelled by Robert Spriggs.

Hebberd suffers from Multiple sclerosis (MS) and the story of her design is based on living with the condition.

"He's the little demon that's at the back of your mind."

But she said, she can overcome anything by drawing from his strength and his beauty.

It's not just MS, she said the shadow represents any problem a person might have.

"The butterflies around him symbolise hope."

Robert Spriggs models 'Me and My Shadow' designed by Waipu's Carole Hebberd. Photo/Sarah Marshall Photography

The design took six months to make - the armoured corset took about three months and more than 500 transparent butterflies took two months.

Hebberd said she and Spriggs were back stage chatting with others when the winner was announced.

"Everyone in the hallway was shouting 'you've won, you've won' - we didn't quite believe it."

The 61-year-old said it was the first time she had entered the competition after "a crazy moment" where she and Spriggs thought they would "have a try".

Hebberd is an artist who creates sculptures and objects out of wire. She is looking forward to honing her sewing skills on the new machine she won.

The win follows on from the same design being named Supreme winner and People's Choice at the Art n Tartan Awards in Waipu in July.

Thea Gray was shocked to get second place in the junior wearable arts category with her design 'Kid in a Candy Store'. Photo/Sarah Marshall Photography

The judges at the Bernina Northland Fashion Awards made a special mention of Rachael Pederson, who is a contestant in the show every year and a teacher at Whangārei Girls' High School, who encourages her students to enter. Several WGHS students did well at the awards, in particular Iris Metcalfe who won the Fantasy Fashion category.

It was the second year the Rotary Club of Whangārei South presented a sewing machine to the best school. This year it went to Parua Bay School.

Bernina Northland and Kiwi North will be showcasing some of the entries from the show over the next few months.

Results:
Evening Wear: Lauren Thomsen 'The Eden Dress' 1, Fran Spick 'No. 5' 2, Rene Topp 'Golden Glam' 3.

Avante Guarde: Ella Jeffery 'Freedom' 1, Kirsty Milton In Bloom 2, Renee Topp 'An Expected Perception' 3, Doris Pilcher 'Polka Dot Lady', highly commended.

Student Fashion Design: Molly Halvorson 'Madison Pant Suit' 1, Caitlyn Salvigny 'Spaghetti Pants' 2, Caitlyn Salvigny 'Peek a Boo' 3, Lauren Thomsen 'Relax', highly commended.

Open Fashion Design: Emma Farrier 'Lady in Black' 1, Levonne Smith 'Kill Bill' 2, Emma Farrier 'Blast from the Past' 3, Doris Pilcher 'Sir with Love', highly commended.

Student Street Wear: Zane Lange 'Hip Hop 80's' 1, Rebekah Wall 'Transparent' 2, Caitlyn Salvigny 'Bluebird' 3.

Open Street Wear: Rachael Pedersen 'Nellie' 1, Levonne Smith 'An Alchemy of Lillies' 2, Danica Sketchley 'Denim Jumpsuit' 3, Doris Pilcher 'Fisherman', highly commended.

Fantasy Fashion: Iris Metcalfe 'Lament' 1, Rachael Pedersen 'Anguish' 2, Doris Pilcher 'Bella-Renna' 3, Diana Davidson 'Golden Belle', highly commended.

Junior Wearable Art: Greta Charlesworth 'Crocker Bird' 1, Thea Gray 'Kid in a Candy Store' 2, Stella Gray 'The Ripple Effect' 3, Luka D'Anvers 'The Piwakawaka Princess', highly commended, Kyla Halse 'Mother Pollution', highly commended.

Open Wearable Art: Carole Hebberd 'Me and My Shadow' 1, Margaret Rassmussen and Megan Petchforth 'Wahine Toa Aotearoa' 2, Doris Pilcher with 'Heart beat' 3.

From Trash to Fashion: Carol Rhodes 'Not a Winning Ticket' 1, Chiquela & Violet Blomfield 'Flying Duchess' 2, Evelyn Taylor 'Wild Garden' 3, Dyvani-Lee Thomason-Daly 'Paradise Rose', highly commended.

Cosplay: Wayne Carroll 'Gears of War Marine' 1, Diana Davidson and Justin Smith 'Jedi Temple Guard' 2, Diana Davidson 'Pocahontas' 3.

First Time Entrant Award: Doris Pilcher.

Best School: Parua Bay School.

Northland Top Model: Savannah Sullivan 'Madison Pant Suit'.

Extreme Elegance: Levonne Smith 'An Alchemy of Lillies'.

Supreme Northland Fashion Designer of the Year: Carole Hebberd 'Me and My Shadow'.