The 36th annual Hokonui Fashion Design Awards night was held at the Gore Town and Country Club.
Designers from all around the country travelled to the event to show off their garments via model and catwalk.
The Mataura Licensing Trust Award of Excellence winner was Tegan Rose Vickery, of the Otago Polytechnic School of Fashion.
Miss Vickery was "shocked" to win the award.
"I’ve entered in two years before but I never expected anything like this," she said.
She entered the daywear section with her oversized orange suit, which was made of linen canvas and was matched with a silk blouse.
"This is going to be my last year entering as next year I am going overseas to get more experience, but my family and I were having a girls night out just coming along to watch the event and see the various designers and their garments.
"I never knew I would win the entire thing.
"I love these awards because it is just so amazing to see all of the entries from designers all over the country.
"I’ve loved every part of being involved and seeing all of the types of fashion at the show."
The judges this year were Taylor label owner Vicki Taylor, of Auckland, creative director Sammy Salsa and New Lands label creator Natalie Newlands, of Queenstown.
The judges said the standard of fashion entries was high and were very impressed by the range of garments in this year’s event.
Awards chairwoman Jacqui McKinney said the designers’ efforts were outstanding.
"Designers are the heart and soul of our event," she said.
"They have been working for months to bring these memorable pieces to life and this year has been monumental in our event."
She said she was grateful to all designers, sponsors, judges, volunteers and individuals who helped to make the show happen year after year.
Award winners
OPEN SECTIONS
Award of Excellence: Tegan Rose Vickery, Otago Polytechnic School of Fashion; Young Designer Award: Adena Waudby, Hawke’s Bay; Heather Paterson QSM/Best Southland Designer: Viv Tamblyn, Gore; Narrative Award: Francesca Flavel, Ara Institute of Canterbury Te Pūkenga, Christchurch; Auaha Award: Aleisha Guyton, Invercargill; Best Use of Wool: Viv Tamblyn, Gore; Garment With The Most Commercial Potential: Oscar Darling, Oakura; Best Use of Fabrics Award: Nan Walden and Jann Lenihan, Wellington; Collections Award: Pietra Vieting, Christchurch; Menswear Award: Lucas Jones, Dunedin; Natural Fibres award: Helen Marshall, Invercargill; Daywear: Tegan Ross Vickery, Dunedin; Glamour Award: Keryn Whitney, Hastings; Upcycled Award: Mima Lewis Gourdie, Christchurch; Avant Garde: Renee Louie, Wellington; Best Use of Fabric: Viv Tamblyn, Gore; People’s Choice Award: Addison Grant, Maruawai College, Gore; Otago Polytechnic and Dunedin’s ID Fashion for sustainable excellence: May Dyson, Tuatapere.
SCHOOL AWARDS
Glamour: Jordyn Bowden, St Matthew’s Collegiate, Masterton; Natural Fibres Award: May Dyson, Tuatapere; Upcycled: Lauren St Just, Wellington East Girls’ College; Streetwear: Akira Manwaring, Manurangi College, Warkworth; Bernina School of Excellence: Lauren St Just.
