The New Zealand fashion designer will join ReCreate clothing creative director Marielle Van de Ven and Touch Yarn founder and Central Otago wool ambassador Marnie Kelly this weekend at the WoolOn Awards, in Tarras.
The awards feature garments submitted from designers all around the country in 10 categories, including avant garde, streetwear and collections of three garments, vying for seven awards.
Using primarily wool and specified natural fibres, they let their imaginations run riot.
The judges will be at WoolOn, at The Canyon at Tarras, tomorrow from 5pm for anyone wanting to chat with them.
Liz Mitchell designs have been worn by the King’s niece, Zara Phillips, former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark and Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro.
WoolOn designer liaison Jamie Richards said it was an amazing opportunity for anyone to talk with the judges in an intimate setting.
"Friday night at the awards will highlight the creative talent of our youth, which is why this is such a great opportunity. We have designers as young as 9 years old who made incredible garments this year, and the judges will decide both the schools award and under-23 award."
Ms Mitchell grew up in Auckland and initially trained at art school before working in theatre costume design.
In 1990, she established her own label, specialising in bespoke tailoring.
An ambassador for New Zealand wool, she loves its versatility and endurance.
"I love the beauty of wool. It is enduring, versatile and breathable. It helps creates classics for customers that value quality and sustainability," she said.
In 2005, she was made a member of the NZ Order of Merit for services to the fashion industry.
"This is such a unique opportunity for people to meet her in person, for our designers to get feedback from her and be inspired along their own creative journeys," Ms Richards said.
Marielle Van de Ven is creative director at ReCreate clothing.
ReCreate clothing was started by Erica Gadsby, who did not intend to create a fashion brand.
After volunteering in Cambodia, she wanted to create fair employment for women in the marginalised community of Dey Tmey, Cambodia.
In collaboration with friends, she opened a sewing workshop in Dey Tmey in 2013, and the first intake of students began their journey of learning a new skill in order to transform their lives.
The company, which is a registered charity in New Zealand, has committed 100% of its profits towards empowering the most marginalised people in the Cambodian communities where its clothing is made.
Marnie Kelly is well-known in Central Otago for Touch Yarns, the business she created and which is now a third-generation business.
She began breeding Merino sheep and goats in 1976, and success at the 1989 world congress of black and coloured sheep in Oregon led her to investigate a market in New Zealand for her yarn.
She borrowed thousands and it was hard work.
A former dental nurse, she could have gone back to that job but loved the challenge and the textiles and fibre.
"I wanted to make the best mid-micron wool yarn in the world – and I do."
Doors will be open from 5pm from tomorrow for those who want to meet the judges in person.
