Hawke's Bay talent taps food-growing roots for Edible Fashion Awards

Mia Paaymans at the Edible Fashion Awards at Peak Vision Church in Havelock North. Photo / Paul Taylor

It was an incredible night of celebration and talent as the Edible Fashion Awards took place over the weekend with this year's theme "Peace, Love & Diversity".

The event attracts up to 1000 people every year with about 200 entrants, who create designs made from edible food items, imitation food items or food packaging.

Event director Kelie Jensen said the night went really well and was a celebration of the talent within the region.

"It just feels so authentic and uniquely Hawke's Bay," she said.

"This event connects to our deep roots as a food-growing region and the designs are very innovative and creative.

"Each year I see this event come to life on stage I just think it couldn't be more genuinely and uniquely Hawke's Bay. We are an innovative and creative place." The Indulge Top Model award went to Jamie Holway who modelled Kate Rowland's unique "wine themed" design.

She used a Sileni Estates-inspired headpiece made from champagne cork crumbs, which framed the face with a cheese-cloth cloak forming the foundation.

Katherine Bertram walked away with Unio Goldsmith & Gallery Jewellery & Designer Award for her piece There are many more fish in the sea.

She also took out the Clearview Estate Winery Adult Design.

"My husband and I began our romance sending love letters between countries, so I began with the concept of love letters written in squid ink on rice paper in many languages. Not all love letters find their answer so the rest of my work is entitled 'there are many more fish in the sea'," she said.

Judges for the event included Annah Stretton (head judge), Fifi Colston and Tessa Paaymans.

Jensen said the event tied together beautifully and it couldn't have been more of a success.

"Peace, Love & Diversity inspired some incredible designs and lots of discussion. Choice of the Indulge Top Model was also a perfect fit with this year's theme and an audience favourite."

There was plenty of guest entertainment, with performances from Rodney Bell and Movement of the Human, Kahurangi Dance Theatre and Tākitimu Performing Arts School and Perri Exeter's Trip the Light Dance Collective.

Hereworth School choir also took part, singing John Lennon's Imagine to a large audience.

The Edible Fashion 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.