Henty Natural Fibre Fashion Awards: Big prizes on offer

DESIGNERS with a flair for converting natural fibres into wearable art will compete for almost $6000 in prizes at Henty field days this year.

Natural beauties: Mollie O’Halloran, Alyce Parker, Greta Mackinlay, Nessa Liston and Olivia Hall model the winning garments in the 2016 Henty Natural Fibres Fashion Awards.

DESIGNERS with a flair for converting natural fibres into wearable art will compete for almost $6000 in prizes this year.

The 14th Henty Natural Fibre Fashion Awards will showcase designers who have created garments containing at least 70 per cent natural fibres.

Last year, the winners expanded across international boundaries with the supreme entry from New Zealand for the first time. The supreme garment was a fitted, backless dress machine knitted in fine Merino yarn with silver lurex highlights entered by Laurel Judd.

Originality rules: Mildura designer Judy Bond, right, with model Olivia Hall last year.

Reigning supreme Nessa Liston, models the 2016 supreme garment designed by Laurel Judd of New Zealand.

Open to all, the awards recognise the innovative use of natural fibres — from paddock to catwalk — in creative but wearable clothing.

Awards organiser Lyn Jacobsen said natural fibres could include wool, alpaca, angora, mohair, cashmere, cotton, silk or linen.

“We have even had entries made from bamboo — as long as the entry contains 70 per cent natural fibres, it is eligible,” Mrs Jacobsen said.

Fashion designers will vie for the chance to win a Bernina B350PE sewing machine valued at $2199 plus $1000 cash.

Prizemoney of $500 each is offered for the best knitted or crotched garment, accessory and millinery item.

Fox & Lillie Rural donated $500 to the winner of the best knitted or crocheted garment.

Bernina and Julia’s Fabric Boutique, Wodonga, have donated a Bernina Activa 125 sewing machine as student designer encouragement award.

Student designers are also eligible to win the major prize. The judging emphasis is on visual appeal, creative and innovative use of the fibres.

Award entries will be modelled each day, with the winners announced after the 1pm parade on Thursday.

Albury-based Sheep Co-operative Research Centre wool program leader, David Tester, will return as a judge, joined by Sydney designer and retailer, Roxanne Cooper, and CWA Sturt Group Secretary and former textiles and design teacher, Beryl Brain, with Peta Schaefer, of Albury, as compere. Culcairn’s Billabong High School Year 10 students will model entries with hair styling by Wendy Percy, Wagga Wagga, and makeup by Arbonne Distributors.