Gore designer wins top WoolOn prize

Gore designer Viv Tamblyn won the Rural Women New Zealand Supreme Award at the Rural Women New Zealand WoolOn Creative Fashion event in Alexandra on Saturday night.

Tamblyn won the award along with the Nu Dax Streetwear Award with her entry A Touch of Copper, a five-piece 100 per cent wool ensemble.

It featured an oversized vest, bralette, high-waisted pants, an over-the-shoulder jersey and a beanie.

Tamblyn said she was ‘‘absolutely overwhelmed’’ and thrilled to be awarded the top placing.

The win came as a surprise to the designer, who said she had hoped for a placing but was ‘‘blown away’’ by the win.

She said she had entered the competition about six times but had never got as far as to be the overall winner.

Tamblyn’s collection was inspired by copper homeware: copper was an ‘‘addictive attraction’’, she said..

The collection was made of mostly copper fabrics, but with accents of navy, but the collection stood out to the judges because of her use of layering, using different textures, including chunky knits and thin mesh, she said

Over the years she has won many awards in various fashion events, including winning the inaugural Heather Paterson QSM Memorial Trophy for Best Southland Designer and various Hokonui Fashion Design awards.

‘‘It’s a hobby that’s extended to filling up a lot of time,’’ she said.

For now she is focusing on preparing for the upcoming Hokonui Fashion Design Awards on July 28 and 29 in Gore.

Rural Women New Zealand national president Fiona Gower said the organisation was pleased to partner with the WoolOn Creative Fashion event was was part of encouraging rural women to achieve excellence.