Fashion from farm gate to the catwalk

Greytown designer Lorraine Hall is passionate about keeping her clothes as local as possible, and will showcase her designs at the Shear Fashion show later this month.

Her fashion shop Hall is one of the established New Zealand labels taking part in the show, which is a section of Shear Fest, a new festival to celebrate the Golden Shears.

The show aims to highlight the versatile use of wool in fashion and will feature everything from underwear and farm wear through to high fashion.

Natural materials, including merino, are a key element of the design ethos, and they are committed to keeping their product New Zealand made, as so many labels are now made off-shore.

They are passionate about the need to keep local industry alive and thriving.

Ms Hall was a judge at the Oversew Fashion Awards in Carterton last year, and the idea for the show developed from there.

She said it was a great way to showcase Wairarapa designers and wool products, especially as many of her garments are made from merino wool.

"Because we use a lot of merino fabrics for our winter ranges, our label is ideal to showcase at the Shear Fashion show" she said.

There will be have a variety of their wool-based winter garments on show, including fine Italian wool jackets, merino skirts and cardigans, as well as mitts, tees and tunics made of merino wool and hand screen printed with unique Hall prints.

There will also be a stall at the show where garments will be available to purchase.

Ms Hall's store and label has recently re-located from Carterton to a villa in Greytown's historic precinct.

Organiser Robyn Cherry-Campbell said they have fantastic Wairarapa design talent from established designers like Lorraine Hall to new and emerging designers like Amy Hutchinson, Rebecca Robbie and Claire Walker.

"Local retailers like Hunting and Fishing, Intersection and Farmlands have worked with their wool brands to supply items and Maggie B have kindly donated time to do hair for the show," she said.

"We believe Wairarapa people and businesses are keen to get behind this show and make yet another successful Wairarapa event to add to the calendar."

The Shear Fashion show will be held on February 28, at the War Memorial Stadium, Masterton, and doors will open to all from 7.30pm. See www.shearfashion.co.nz