The story of Eden Hore and the Maniototo farmer’s fashion collection has finally been made into a book that has been officially released today (Thursday March 13).

Central Otago Couture: The Eden Hore Collection was made possible by a history grant from the Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage, and was researched and written by Dr Jane Malthus, Claire Regnault and including photography by the internationally-acclaimed Derek Henderson.

When fashion historian Dr Malthus first met Eden in the late 1980s and visited his Glenshee farm, she had strong words for the man and his elaborate collection of dresses.

“My advice was on not letting them be worn anymore and to put them on appropriate coat hangers, she said.

That eventually turned into what she described as her life-long work, starting with an exhibition at the Otago Museum in 1989.

Vinka Lucas evening dress and cape (early 1970s), in Lurex fabric, printed chiffon and ostrich feather trim, modelled by Ngahuia Williams. PHOTO Derek Henderson and supplied by Te Papa Press/Eden Hore Central Otago.

Co-inciding with the book’s release, the fashion collection will also become the focus of an exhibition from April 2 to April 21 at the Toitū Otago Settlers Museum - the same time as iD Dunedin Fashion Week 2025.

Owned by the Central Otago District Council, the collection was currently on loan to the museum but following the exhibition Dr Malthus said there were plans to exhibit some of the garments around Central Otago in various places.

Dr Malthus and Henderson will also be coming to Central Otago on Thursday April 3 to talk with the community about their work, at Alexandra Paper Plus followed by LoHi Linen in Ranfurly.

Eden was described as a quietly spoken farmer, and someone brave enough to be himself. 

Dr Malthus said he embodied and boldly defied the stereotype of the ‘Southern Man,’ confidently forging his own idiosyncratic path through life. 

“He was an entrepreneur, really. In addition to having a keen interest in New Zealand high fashion, he wanted the collection to bring tourists to Naseby. 

“The book demonstrates the inextricable link between Eden, his fashion collection and the Central Otago landscape he so loved, and where he lived his entire life.”

Claire - a senior historian at Te Papa, and Dr Malthus were both on the Eden Hore Central Otago steering group and brought in Nom*D founder Margi Robertson as a stylist on the photo shoot that was held on Little Valley Station in 2024.

“Eden ran fashion shows and garden parties so we are honouring that aspect of it. It was a revelation to see them on bodies again,” she said, referring to the work by Henderson to bring the fashion back to life and in illustrating the book.

The process for writing the book started in 2023 and involved interviewing relatives of Eden Hore, his neighbours as well as other farmers in the district.

“There was information from all over. Everyone had a story about going to visit his museum,” Dr Malthus said. 

“But it was hard to get any one truth, there were so many strands.”

The Paper Plus event starts at midday on April 3 and LoHi Linen in Ranfurly from 5:30-7pm.