The legacy of the man who combined high country farming with high fashion will feature this summer on canvas and the small screen, but hopes are up he might even make the big screen one day.

Eden Hore was a larger-than-life adventurer who travelled the world collecting exotic animals for his weird and wonderful farm park at Naseby. He also brought fabrics home and developed an exceptional talent for high fashion.

His keen eye for design was uncanny, considering he had very little education and was born and raised in the back blocks of Central Otago. 

The more glamorous the fabrics, colours and designs, the more they appealed, and the collection grew into the hundreds, stored rather unglamorously in a converted outbuilding at his Naseby farm.

While he loved being out on the hill at Glenshee Station mustering cattle on his horse, his interests often drew him off farm.

Eden eventually sold off most of the tussock-covered station, retaining 250 acres where his celebrated Glenshee Park tourism attraction really evolved. 

In his happy place: Eden Hore, dressed up to the nines chatting to a fashionable young lady during his heyday

Eden, who delighted in entertaining, stocked the park with a fantastical array of animals and plants including a dingo, coyote, five cantankerous yaks, fancy breeds of rabbit, dozens of miniature horses, an elderly bison, pigs large and small, ostrich, emu, cockatoos, and deer.

He had three paddocks dedicated to tree specimens, two fountains and elaborate formal gardens. Indoors were the celebrated dresses, fabrics, collections of plates, teaspoons, dolls, decanters and more animals, these ones having started life out in the park and since had a trip to the taxidermist.

His dress collections and other artefacts - 276 pieces in all - were bought by the Central Otago District Council (CODC) in 2013 for $40,000. 

Chaired by CODC mayor, Tim Cadogan, the Eden Hore Central Otago Steering Group now organise events and fundraising opportunities for a collection held in much esteem as an important part of the cultural and historic fabric of Central Otago.

“More than garments, Eden Hore Central Otago [EHCO] is a compelling story set in the majestic Central Otago high country, of an unlikely fashion enthusiast who amassed a collection of 1970s and 80s garments that personify the flamboyance, vibrancy and elegance of an industry that he loved,” Tim said.

 “Finding innovative ways to bring the story of Eden Hore and the collection he developed to the people of the district and the nation is a firm focus of the Eden Hore Central Otago Steering Group.”

The second season of a photographic exhibition that captures both the magic of Central Otago’s raw beauty and the stunning dresses has just opened across four Bannockburn wineries.

The images, taken by renowned photographer Derek Henderson in 2019, will also be on display at the Eat.Taste.Central Mindfood Long Lunch (now sold out), before moving to the Clyde Historical Museum for a two-month stint, then on to Eden’s hometown, Naseby, just before Christmas.

The photoshoot with Derek Henderson was developed in partnership with the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongawera and CODC to bring the collection alive and demonstrate its relevance to contemporary fashion and design within its Central Otago home.

The exhibition, which proved popular across the region last summer, would also feature the full collection of Derek’s images, which includes an additional seven garments, on digital display, CODC community and engagement manager Paula Penno said.

“All hosting venues were generously shared by local community groups [last summer] and their dedicated volunteers,” Paula said. 

“Without their help these exhibitions would not have been possible. We are looking forward to bringing the exhibition to our Central Otago communities again this season, it is a privilege and delight to continue exploring ways to tell Eden’s unique story.”

John West suede coat photographed by Derek Henderson at old gold mining sluicings at Bannockburn

None of the actual dresses will feature but the group were working on “fundraising projects to support this,” Paula said.

Meanwhile the response to CODC’s recent call for prospective film-makers to take on Eden’s story for the big screen had been positive.

The aim was to encourage the making of a high-end feature film or documentary for New Zealand and international distribution, that will attract further funding and eligibility for prestigious awards and film festivals.

“We are receiving a number of enquiries and feedback has been very positive. While we have received some submissions, our call for expressions of interest is open until 15 January 2022, so there is still some time to go.”

It was intended that the film maker would independently pitch for funding for the project, which would come at significant cost. 

“The EHCO team will provide background material and support with the storyline.”

The Bannockburn photographic wine trail runs until October 16 with images on display at Desert Heart, Domain Road Vineyard, Te Kano Estate and Terra Sancta vineyards.