Whāingaroa creators injected the WOW factor into art, design, fashion and theatrical performance for Raglan Art to Wear’s biennial catwalk extravaganza.
Fashionistas of all ages put their sewing machines, needles, staplers and glue guns to the test with all manner of materials fashioned into extraordinary costumes.
Using repurposed op shop finds, scrap fabric, wool, wood, plastic sacking, piano parts, wire, cardboard and bit and bobs from the recycling bin, Art to Wear designers brought their awe-inspiring wearable art to life.
All the blood, sweat and tears paid off for Susanne Giessen-Prinz, and Cade Skerman, 11, and Zavier Mathis, 10, who took out adult and children’s Supreme Awards respectively.
Inspired by the artistry of Japanese fashion, Suzanne crafted two Fascination with Wood/Light and Dark costumes. Her elegant designs combined fabric, toilet roll inners, wood veneer, a discarded pool noodle, an old umbrella frame, reclaimed irrigation pipe and 600 pages from three books folded into fans.
Te Mata School students Cade and Zavier’s completed every part of their design Desmond, King of the Valley themselves using cardboard, bamboo, builders’ paper and spray paint. Inspired by the Narnia books, the boys used Aslan the lion as the basis of their project.
Awarded Top Model – Adult, Art to Wear statesman Bob Noble and his whānau brought fun and passion to the catwalk. Bob’s design Reach Out was an ode to the hardworking community volunteers.
Clara Grandi Hill was a delightful Queen of the Hive and deservingly won Top Model – Child in a costume designed by herself and Larissa Grandi in collaboration with Carolyna Meade.
People’s Choice Award went to Game On by Campbell and Lorraine Forlong, modelled by Gia Schwarz. The three-piece suit plus parasol and bag were expertly pieced together using board games, counters and playing cards sourced from Kaahu’s Nest and other charity shops.
The four different sections taking centre stage this year were Avant-Garde open for designers looking to push the limits of wearable art; Kaitiakitanga where design meets sustainability; All Things Shiny for dazzling design and Mythical Creatures where young creatives brought legendary beings to life through wearable art.
Opening with the children’s section Mythical Creatures where everything from nose boogers, a centaur, rainbowray, a witch, fairies and nymphs slid, wiggled and twirled on the catwalk. This had the largest number of entrants with 12 incredible ‘creatures’ gracing the stage.
Next on show, the dazzling designs of All Things Shiny, where costumes shimmered and sparkled. Taking the form of chandeliers, dragons, magpies and a princess, this section illuminated the stage.
Avant Garde followed with creatives given free range to push the boundaries of imagination. Thinking outside the box, the designers delighted with ‘taxidermy’ soft toys, slices of wood, board games reimagined and canvas masterpieces.
The final section, Kaitiakitanga, provided the opportunity for the creators to pay homage to Mother Earth. The carefully considered costumes resounded with messages of guardianship, sustainability and hope.
Supreme Award – Adult: Fascination with Wood/Light and Dark by Susanne Giessen-Prinz, modelled by Bexie Towle and Anna Cunningham
Top Model – Adult: the Noble Whanau, modelling Reach Out by Bob Noble
People’s Choice Award: Game On by Campbell and Lorraine Forlong, modelled by Gia Schwarz
Sustainability Award: Kotahitanga by Roslyn Goodlet, modelled by Hanna (2pm) and Reagan (7pm)
Avant-Garde Section
1st Prize: Fascination with Wood/Light and Dark by Susanne Giessen-Prinz, modelled by Bexie Towle and Anna Cunningham
2nd Prize: Symphony in Motion by Peter Tibbotts, modelled by Ruby Rendal
3rd Prize: Game On by Campbell and Lorraine Forlong, modelled by Gia Schwarz
Kaitiakitanga Section
1st Prize: Kotahitanga by Roslyn Goodlet, modelled by Hanna (2pm) and Reagan (7pm)
2nd Prize: Queen of the Hive by Clara Grandi Hill and Larissa Grandi, in collaboration with Carolyna Meade, modelled by Clara
3rd Prize: Huggy Glovey by Nikau Pinfold, modelled by Nikau
All Things Shiny Section
1st Prize: Alba, Warrior Princess by Maddie Alexander, modelled by Bella Alexander
2nd Prize: The Walking Chandelier by Pania Heinrich, modelled by Pania
3rd Prize: Dragon Girl by the Buckingham Whānau, modelled by Hannah Buckingham
Supreme Award – Child: Desmond, King of the Valley by Cade Skerman and Zavier Mathis, modelled by Cade and Zavier
Creative Youth Award: Rainbowray by Lola Coulden-Lavers and June Atkin, modelled by Lola and June
Top Model – Child: Clara Grandi Hill, modelling Queen of the Hive by Clara Grandi Hill and Larissa Grandi in collaboration with Carolyna Meade
Mythical Creatures Section
1st Prize: Desmond King of the Valley by Cade Skerman and Zavier Mathis, modelled by Cade and Zavier
2nd Prize: Centaur Protector of All by Lila Cursons, modelled by Lila
3rd Prize: Rainbowray by Lola Coulden-Lavers and June Atkin, modelled by Lola and June
Highly Commended: W.A.T.E.R (What About The Excessive Rubbish) by Luna Ugas, modelled by Luna
Highly Commended: Jelly Monster by Raglan Kindergarten, modelled by River McDean and Ashley Lever
Highly Commended: Phoenix – From the Ashes by Hana Thomas, modelled by Hana
Highly Commended: Guardians of Ngarunui by Poppy Pinfold and Juno Thornley-Murego, modelled by Poppy and Juno
