By Linda Hall
An award-winning Hawke's Bay designer is dancing her way into semi-retirement after exciting wins at the WoolOn Fashion Event.
Laurel Judd, from Napier, took out the Supreme Award Second Runner Up at the WoolOn Fashion Event with her design "Tokyo".
She also won the Handcrafted, Accessories and Avant Garde categories, and she received the Technique award.
"I'm just thrilled to have won five awards with my four entries," Laurel said.
WoolOn 2021 attracted a skill level and put on a show that judge and creator of Touch Yarns Marnie Kelly commented was on par with any other high quality fashion event across New Zealand.
"We all felt the workmanship was really excellent, the creativity was out of this world and the designs were stunning," Marnie said .
After a break of two years the three-day event of fashion, fun, learning, and of course, all things wool was a huge success.
Laurel drew her inspiration for "Tokyo" from contemporary high fashion daywear and city chic with Asian influences.
The jacket is a wraparound design knitted in a fair isle pattern, with a belt giving a nod to Asian styling.
The design's knit trousers with ankle cuff were revealed on the catwalk under a knit-woven skirt with zipped sides.
Laurel didn't attend the awards which were held in Central Otago and admits being disappointed when she hadn't heard anything by Sunday morning.
"Usually they phone you but I heard nothing and thought 'oh well that's that then'."
Then on Monday afternoon she took a call from a person writing a press release about the awards congratulating her on her wins.
"I was so thrilled."
Laurel is no stranger to winning awards for her stunning designs. She loves creating designer garments and seeing the finished item on a model on the catwalk.
"Wool is a very forgiving fibre to work with," she said.
"It's warm and natural, it's durable and just lovely to use."
The former PE teacher says when it comes to creating garments it might just be time to slow down.
However, that doesn't mean this fit active 71-year-old will be sitting on the couch watching telly.
"I have rediscovered dancing and I love it. I never thought I would be on the floor doing line dancing but there I am. It is so good for the body and the brain. We do it to modern music. It's great fun."
She loves exercise and has no plans on slowing down on that front.
"It's also a great way to meet new people."
■ The Supreme Award winner of the WoolOn Fashion Event was Simone Montgomery from Port Chalmers while the Supreme Award First Runner Up was Charlotte Hurley from Alexandra.