Rocky Horror Picture Show creator to judge Tauranga competition

Pink plastic nipple covers, leather undies with zips, and shoulder pads made from builders nails are among the designs to be judged by "one of the original godfathers of punk", The Rocky Horror Picture Show star Richard O'Brien.

This Saturday, Katikati resident O'Brien will be using his knowledge of the era to judge at the Chaos to Culture event at the Incubator in Tauranga's Historic Village, an event to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the punk evolution.

"I will be judging the clothes as pieces of art, with not too much emphasis on wearability, but then you could always wear them for a special occasion," said O'Brien.

The accessories and outfits - which included a skirt made from non-slip mats, and a dress made of safety pins and whistles - will be modelled in a fashion show. Designs will judged on originality, imaginative use of materials and consistency of theme.

O'Brien, the man behind the original The Rocky Horror Picture Show, said that he and singer Lou Reed were "in the thick of it" when punk first emerged in London in the 1970s along with Malcolm McLaren and original punk designer Vivienne Westwood, and that punk "still inspires fashion, art and culture today".

Creative director of Tarnished Frocks and Divas Robyne Dowdall, one of the designers who submitted a garment, says she took an "over the top approach", using preloved garments, old textiles and industrial products as a start point.

"I deconstruct then reconstruct, swaying between tender and aggressive lines, creating curves and layers, ripping and slashing net, piercing plastic polythene with eyelets."

Karen Francis Lawson, artist, musician and designer, found herself involved in all aspects of the event.

An ardent op-shopper, she relished the challenge of creating a punk-inspired outfit.

"Punk with its ripped, old, grungy look provides opportunities to create from found materials."

From the catwalk Lawson will join the band The Stench for a few songs by Joan Jett.

"I felt as if I had to eat gravel for breakfast to sing like Joan Jett."

Other judges are Annemarie Quill, magazines editor at the Bay of Plenty Times, and Simone Anderson, artist, creative event organiser extraordinaire and director of The Incubator.

Guests are encouraged to come dressed to the punk theme.

There will also be an exhibition of punk-inspired artwork, and bands playing music to honour the spirit of punk.

The Influence of Punk in Art, Fashion and Music
The Incubator, Historic Village
Saturday, November 12, 6pm
$20 from the Incubator or $25 door sales
Food and licensed band