AS rain pounded the historical Deeargee woolshed, the 2023 Fleece to Fashion Awards gala dinner and presentation saw spectacular designs hit the runway on Saturday, November 26.
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Cash prizes as well as an all-expenses paid trip to Italy were awarded by judges Akira Isogawa, Jonathon Ward and fashion doyenne Melissa Hoyer.
The gala event was held in the working woolshed at Uralla and hosted by wool lover Catriona Rowntree.
Fleece to Fashion chairman and Armidale wool grower Lachlan Fulloon as deemed the 2023 Fleece to Fashion event "a great success" for the region.
"Connecting the next generation of designers with the New England wool growing community fosters deep appreciation for how farming and fashion can work together to showcase this remarkable fibre and keep it on the world's catwalks," Mr Fulloon said.
This year's winners were:
- Supreme Champion - Chelsea Mitchell
- Akira Isogawa mentorship - Jun (Michael) Sheung Il
- Secondary Schools - Dechen K from Uralla Central School for a Dior inspired evening gown
- Developing Designer - Chelsea Mitchell with a stunning collection reflecting her love of wool and the great outdoors
- Special occasion - Judy Bond with an elegant and classic crochet cocktail dress
- Inspired menswear - Jack Bartholomeusz with contemporary tailoring in classic materials
- Wearable Art - Sasha Matteucci with an awe-inspiring musical weaving and accompanying score
- Global cultures - Alice Pettirosso for her contemporary take on a traditional Slovakian Kurent coat
- Wool Re-imagined - Amy Macaskill with a three-piece outfit made from wool mill scraps
- The Wedding Party - Laurel Judd with an incredible knitted fantasy showstopper
- Most Marketable - Aoibha Doyla with a colourful cut out collection
- Innovation in Wool - Sasha Matteucci and her remarkable musical woven artwork
- Encouragement Awards - celebrating three young designers - Chelsea Mitchell, Summer Wanless, Phillipa Signorelli - with vibrant and striking designs in colour rich hues.
Running for more than 40 years, Fleece to Fashion brings together the farming and fashion communities to celebrate wool.
This year's main sponsors were Australian Wool Innovation and ACHMEA Farm Insurance.
Other New England businesses that supported the event included Roberts & Morrow, Regional Australia Bank, Invest Blue, Winterbourne Pastoral, Virbac, Cressbrook Merinos, Bredal Austraila, JM Stephen, Australian Wool Network (AWN), Impact Ag, Rydges Hotels, Deeargee and the Sutherland family.
