The 31st Australian Wool Fashion Awards presentation parade returned to Armidale on Saturday night in the magnificent gardens of Petersons Guesthouse & Winery.
On a crisp night, the wool creations were sent down the runway under the watchful eye of MC Deborah Hutton with the historic Palmerston Homestead as the backdrop.
Twenty-three female school and University of New England students, along with seven local male models, paraded the 86 finalist garments which came from as far as Perth and New Zealand.
The night saw long-term entrant, retired textile teacher Susan Thompson from Port Macquarie, take out the evening wear section and the Supreme Award with her stunning flesh coloured evening gown with a delicate black lace jacket. For her win Susan was presented with three large diamonds and a topaz by Paul and Linda Harrison from Harrisons of Armidale.
The secondary school section with a Glee Inspired theme saw Armidale High School student Edith Rose take out second prize of a Bernette sewing machine and a Whitehouse Institute of Design drawing scholarship with her collection of Three Head Cheerleaders. First prize went to All Saints Anglican College student Yumeni Hiraki, also winning a Bernette Sewing machine, Whitehouse Drawing Scholarship and a sewing basket containing sewing supplies, with a turquoise and cream dress with a hooped overskirt.
Julie Harris from Uralla was the most successful local resident with second prizes in work wear, race wear and first prize for her gorgeous Elizabethan dress modelled by Cilla Clonan, a nine-year-old NEGS student who sang Heaven as she walked down the runway.
Rycki Symons from The Academy of Design also had a successful evening, taking out race wear, work wear and second prize in men’s wear categories.
Queensland’s Claire Adams, also from the Academy of Design, won first prize with her wedding gown.
All Saints Anglican School, Merrimac Queensland, had a huge night with Emma Irwin and Jessica Hall each winning an Academy of Design reduced fee scholarship and Marlee Burke winning the prestigious Raffles College of Design & Commerce half fee three-year degree scholarship worth nearly $29,000.
But the night belonged to Armidale, so well known for producing some of the world’s finest wool, along with acknowledging and celebrating the Year of the Farmer.
