Theresa Goodwin and Kate Paterson-Ross were cleaning up yesterday after their seventh and final show - a three-night affair attracting full houses each night.
In 2001, Ms Goodwin was styling the hair of Ms Paterson-Ross when they got to talking about fundraising ideas for Winterfest.
Within six weeks, Wearable Creations was on stage.
The one-night show grew to two and with the public still queuing for tickets, it was decided to extend it to three nights.
Ms Goodwin said organising the show had got harder as time had gone by - particularly the alcohol licensing side.
She considered the show suffered because of tighter rules imposed on the Wanaka Centre as the result of problems at other functions there.
Bar proceeds are the main source of the donations the show makes to Upper Clutha schools.
The pair were careful to distance their show from the World of Wearable Arts show begun in 1987 by Dame Suzie Moncrieff.
It was a community event, there was no prize money at stake and the format of the show was different - and better, they said.
Several people have already indicated their interest in taking over running show.
Ms Paterson-Ross said she was looking forward to being in the audience at the next show.
