The tale of a collection of high fashion garments by New Zealand designers, collected by a Central Otago farmer and stored in a tractor-shed ,has captured hearts and minds again.

That collection, known as the Eden Hore Collection, is the subject of a new book detailing the not so typical Kiwi yarn and features stunning photographs shot throughout Central Otago.

That photoshoot last year showcasing Eden Hore’s collection of dresses was part of a talk by internationally renowned photographer Derek Henderson in Alexandra yesterday.

Sydney-based Henderson was in town with book author Dr Jane Malthus to talk about their book, Central Otago Couture, before heading back to where it all began in the Maniototo last night.

When Derek was first invited to work on the Eden Hore project, photographing award winning dresses from the 1970s once owned by a farmer who kept them in the tractor shed,his response was “what are you talking about”?

He was sent photos of the amazing collection and soon changed his tune.  

“Yep I’m onboard,” he said. 

 “They were just so exotic.’’

Any opportunity to come back to New Zealand, and Central Otago for that matter, was quickly snapped up, he said.

 “I like that arid, dry landscape that it has, and there’s not many people here.’’

Henderson met model Allanah Kwant while working on a range of Karen Walker sunglasses, and said a great model was one who was able to express their imagination through the garment.

The book talk in Alexandra. PHOTO: AIMEE WILSON

He wanted the images to have a contemporary feel so NOM*d owner Margi Robertson was brought in for restyling - “and not putting them in 1970s footwear,” Dr Malthuis explained.

“The idea of using models means they try to get some movement in the pictures,” Derek said.

Allanah has tried on all of the 226 outfits in the collection, and said getting to play dress up was like a kind of fantasy, “and you can put ideas in your head.”

Dr Malthus has been involved in the project ever since Eden was alive, and said the 1970s fashion was not well accepted back in the day, “and some was hideous.”

“People weren’t quite ready to admire them and their craftmanship, whereas now…”

The story of some of the favourites from the photo shoot and the New Zealand designers who created them - which was not just about dresses but jumpsuits and extreme flared pants, was shared with the public at the book signing.

The public was shown a slide presentation of the many places including St Bathans, the Earnscleugh Castle, Poolburn Dam and Ophir where the garments were modelled.

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