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Wool wear on show at warehouse

WoolOn committee members Elaisa Chapman (left), Carmen Hancock, Lisa Davidson and Clair Higginson at the warehouse which will house this year's fashion event. Photo: Pam Jones
WoolOn committee members Elaisa Chapman (left), Carmen Hancock, Lisa Davidson and Clair Higginson at the warehouse which will house this year's fashion event. Photo: Pam Jones
The new industrial backdrop at Central Otago's woollen fashion event will help accentuate designers' skill, organisers say.

This week the committee announced the Aurora building on Alexandra's Ngapara St as the venue for both the ''first look'' night and the gala event on Friday and Saturday next week.

Event chairwoman Clair Higginson said the late announcement of the location was due to many consents and safety plans needing to be signed off.

''Plus we're relying on volunteers to do some quite complicated work.

''But we appreciate that these are things we need to do.''

The event would use just a section of the venue to give each night a 450-seat capacity.

This was a slight increase to the Dunstan High School gymnasium where it was held previously.

In the fruit season the venue was used as part of the packaging process, Ms Higginson said.

''The advantage of an industrial building which isn't complicated is that it doesn't detract from the skill of the designers.''

Tickets were already being sold.

The gala night had about 40 tickets left, after which the committee expected the Friday night to fill.

Entries of garments, which must be at least 75% wool, were at about the mid-30 mark, which was down on the last event.

The new timing of the event was difficult for some, including schools which did not have enough time to organise garments from the beginning of the school year, Ms Higginson said.

''This year is about trial and error to see what form the event will take in the future, but we hope we have a format that will work.''

The event was last held in October 2015, before it was separated from the Blossom Festival the next year.

Rural Women New Zealand is the naming sponsor for this year's event.

Actor Te Kohe Tuhaka has been announced as the compere for this year's WoolOn.

WoolOn committee member Lisa Davidson said Te Kohe Tuhaka had a strong career in film, theatre and television.

His film credits include Siones 2: Unfinished Business, Long for New Zealand and The Dead Lands.

He is also in the yet-to-be-released film 6 Days, directed by Toa Fraser.

jono.edwards@odt.co.nz

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