WoolOn was staged in 2021 with last year’s event postponed due to uncertainty around Covid. The committee said at the time they were taking their time to rebuild the event.
Top New Zealand designers Liz Mitchell, Recreate Clothing creative designer Marielle Van der Ven and Touch Yarns founder Marnie Kelly announced the winners in three categories in The Canyon at Tarras.
The remaining category winners and the Supreme award will be announced tonight. A People’s Choice was awarded last night and tonight’s audience will have the opportunity to select their own winner.
Mitchell said she had been passionate about wool throughout her career. The versatility and endurance of the fibre made it ideal for tailoring, which was the hallmark of her designs.
Having a customer come in with a garment that was 30-years-old and still in amazing condition highlighted the exceptional qualities of wool.
For New Zealand Fashion Week at the end of the month, Mitchell was presenting a collection in association with Palliser Ridge, in south Wairarapa, featuring their lambswool.
The fashion industry had to move away from fast fashion, cheaply produced off-shore, she said.
Mitchell said she was delighted to see the innovation and techniques used in the WoolOn entries.
Winners announced last night were: Under 23 Young Designer Award — Tom Conwy; Emerging Designer School Award — Isabella Miscisco; Novice Award — Frankie Alexander-Kemble.
