The Eden Hore fashion collection could be moving to the Toitū Otago Settlers Museum for a feature exhibition.

A report to the Central Otago District Council for the Wednesday 20th March meeting will discuss the proposal of the exhibition opening, tagged for April 2025, that would also feature the launch of the Eden Hore Central Otago (EHCO) collection book, and coincide with Dunedin’s iconic iD Fashion Week. 

The collection has also been offered for a two-year exhibition until April 27, with the display space able to fit 20-25 physical garments in climatically controlled cases, plus storylines and narratives, accessories, photography and videography. 

A feasibility study in 2016 acknowledged that while a traditional ‘museum’ approach to presenting the heritage collection in-region would likely be of high visual impact, it would attract limited visitation over time and come at a high relative cost. 

A specialist heritage collection would require ongoing and significant operation subsidies from ratepayers.

Instead, a strategic coalition model was recommended, whereby ownership remained with council, but the EHCO projects may be distributed between council, Te Papa and/or other museums, and visitor attractions/destinations throughout the region. 

Community and engagement manager Paula Penno said in her report the EHCO team was currently developing a book that captures the visionary world of Eden Hore. 

“The book aims to tell and celebrate the spirit of this surprising ‘down to earth’ and ‘head in the clouds’ Naseby farmer who dared to swim against the tide, and to explore the designers, textiles importers, and social history of the time that are represented through this unique collection.”

Co-authors Claire Regnault (Te Papa senior history curator and EHCO steering group member) and Dr Jane Malthus (fashion and textiles historian, steering group member and co-patron) are developing the written content. 

The book is being published by Te Papa Press and is scheduled for release in April 2025.

Following the highly successful 2019 photoshoot, Derek Henderson is returning to the region to undertake a second and more ambitious shoot.

The photoshoot, which will be undertaken in April, will include about 50 garments shot on location in striking Central Otago landscapes, as well as others in-studio.