Winning combo

AGore mother and daughter won the top spots at the Hokonui Fashion Design Awards at the weekend. For the second year in a row Viv Tamblyn was awarded the Heather Paterson QSM Memorial Award for her design in the Howl at the Moon Streetwear Award section.

Her daughter, Andre Johnston, was then announced as the Bonz Award of Excellence winner for her garment in the Heartland Hotel Croyden Nightlife Award section.

On Saturday night, Johnston said she was ecstatic about the win and it was great to be up there alongside her mother.

‘‘I’ve been entering the the awards since 1998 when I was in Gore High School.

‘‘I’m just blown away. My heart and soul is in that dress.’’

She put in 240 hours of cross stitch while making her garment.

Awards convenor Wade Paterson took to the stage on the night and congratulated the judges for their hard work.

‘‘It’s a big task of selecting the winners. The designers have put out a huge number of garments.’’

A record number of people entered the awards in its 28th year, which would have pleased his late wife Heather, he said.

‘‘It’s so encouraging considering the loss of the key person last year.’’

Hundreds of people from across New Zealand braved the threat of snow to pack out the Gore Town and Country Club.

Each seat was filled with fashion lovers, excited to see what some of the country’s best new designers had to offer.

The evening started with a second showing of the school section designs that had been displayed on Friday night.

The crowd was wowed by the creativity of each piece that was walked down the runway.

Later, Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt, Gore Mayor Tracy Hicks and Southland Mayor Gary Tong made an appearance on the runway as the Three Amigos.

The men stood on stage in sombreros and ponchos, only to throw them off and reveal their true selves.

Everyone in the crowd yelled and cheered for them as they strutted their stuff in the middle of the menswear section.

Invercargill’s own Adrian Barclay and his team at Venom created this year’s hairstyles, which consisted of thick corn rows and a silver hoop with a separate plait attached at the back.

Another section was introduced to this year’s awards, which gained a lot of attention.

The Hokonui Heritage Precinct Fantasia Award took the place of the steampunk section.

About 19 people entered their garments in the section and the winning design was by Jennie HaslerJacobs, of Balclutha.

Each design got big cheers from the crowd, who loved the mix of steampunk and fantasy.