Feast for the imagination at Edible Fashion Awards in Havelock North

Belinda Taylor and Carol Howard at last night's Winter F.A.W.C! event Shake off the Winter Blues, A New Orleans Party at The Old Church. Photo / Paul Taylor

Outfits made from cured fish skins and alfalfa sprouts were among many interesting entries at this year's Edible Fashion Awards.

Organisers received 157 entries to the awards, which will take place tonight at Peak Vision Church, in Havelock North, as part of Winter F.A.W.C!.

Event director Kelie Jensen said the number of entries was "exciting" and last year they only had 84.

"We've received 157 unique entries, representing thousands of hours of work from more than 250 design participants.

"It's very encouraging and I believe the event has huge potential for our region."

Entrants had also broadened from mainly being based in Napier and Hastings to garments being made from people in Wairoa and Central Hawke's Bay.

Fifty finalist designs will be modelled tonight in four age categories as well as open categories including a Keep Hastings Beautiful Award for the best use of Hawke's Bay grown or manufactured food or recycled packaging and the Unio Goldsmith & Gallery Jewellery and Accessory Category.

"It's going to be a really awesome night."

The calibre of entries was high each year and this year was no different with some new and exciting materials being, she said.

One entry was made from alfalfa sprouts in egg cartons and another was a dress made out of cured fish skins.

There would also be some amazing performers at the awards, she said.

"This year we've stepped up with the entertainment."

The entertainment includes internationally acclaimed dancer Rodney Bell with Movement of the Human, Hawke's Bay-born Peri Exeter's company Trip the Light Dance Collective and Kahurangi Dance Theatre.

There will also be appearances from Hereworth School's St James' Chapel Choir and a local youth dance ensemble.

Hawke's Bay Tourism general manager Annie Dundas said she was thrilled to have the Edible Fashion Awards as part of this year's F.A.W.C! festival.

"The Edible Fashion Awards will be so fabulous."

The show will be Hawke's Bay's version of World of Wearable Art, she said.

There will be dozens of creative designs made out of some interesting things.

There were still a few tickets left for the awards as well as some other events this weekend including 007 With The Good Table at Unison Vineyard, Liquor Launch at Hawke's Ridge Wine Estate and Live Well, Lunch Better For Cranford Hospice at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers.

"There's a great line up of events," Dundas said.

"It looks like the weather is going to be amazing."

007 With The Good Table will be a fabulous and fun Bond style event and the Cranford Hospice fundraiser is for a wonderful cause and there will be some good food, she said.

"I'm expecting another positive weekend and there's lots of visitors in town which is great."

Visit ediblefashionawards.co.nz for more information and to purchase tickets for the Edible Fashion Awards.

The awards were started by the Hastings City Business Association in 2006.

Now produced by the Hastings Art & Culture Trust, the awards have grown to attract attention from all over New Zealand.

Anyone who hadn't bought tickets to Winter F.A.W.C! events can still enjoy delicious meals with F.A.W.C! by 5 for the duration of the festival with various restaurants and cafes offering dining deals ranging from $15 to $50.

More than 60 events are being held over four weekends for the festival, which ends on June 24.

The main opening event was on June 1 Fine Wines of New Zealand Dinner with Josh Emett, Casey McDonald & Alistair Maling MW at Craggy Range winery.

To find out more about what's on offer and buy tickets, visit www.fawc.co.nz.

Prices range from $25 to $275 and events include everything from cooking demonstrations to dinners in luxury lodges, wine tastings, a battle to determine Hawke's Bay's best toasted sandwich, and truffle hunts.