AFTER two years of making a careful plan for her ag art dresses, Katrina Christie decided to try something different for 2015 – she just left it to her instincts.
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Not only did her formal gown creation win the best designer award at the Elmore Field Days, it went on to take out the top award at the New Zealand Fieldays Ag Art Wear last month.
Ms Christie, who lives on a dairy farm at Nanneella, near Rochester, created her “Majestic Blaze” formal gown using items from around the farm and nearby farm supply stores.
With weed mat, fly wire, safety mesh and other bits and pieces, her gown proved to be a hit at the event in Hamilton, on New Zealand’s north island.
Ms Christie said she was surprised that her new approach proved to be a winner.
“In the previous two years, I’ve had a clear image in my mind of what I wanted to create and just aimed for that,” she said.
“This time, I had the material and basically just started at the bottom and worked my way up to see where it took me.
“It was totally unexpected, I didn’t think I would win in Elmore and to win in New Zealand was even better.”
The category winners at Elmore – designer, avant garde and under 18 – are all entered into the New Zealand Fieldays competition, with the designers given free trips and accommodation on behalf of the Elmore/Lockington/Rochester Community Bank.
Models parade the garments down the catwalk on behalf of the designers.
Ms Christie said watching her design on the catwalk on the third and final day was an exciting experience, and she was just about to finish her dress for this year’s Elmore Field Days.
“It’s totally different this time, a bit more low key,” she said.
Not only did Elmore’s best win the designer category, they also won the avant garde category.
Jan Drew, from Mangoplah in New South Wales, traveled to New Zealand to see her creation compete with dozens of others after its victory at Elmore.
The garment, “Kurrajong Armour”, used pods from the native Australian Kurrajong to create a Roman-style military uniform, complete with helmet and staff. Twine, chicken wire, bicycle tubing and a recycled rake were also used in the design.
Elmore Field Days event co-ordinator Lauren Nesbit said it was impressive to win two of the three categories.
“We’ve had a winner before in 2014, but I doubt we’ve had two in one year before,” she said.
“We’re very happy with the result.”
The winners each received $2500.
The 2016 Elmore Field Days will be held from October 4 to 6.