WoolOn is over for another year with Allison MacKay’s creation, titled ‘Mr Fungi’, taking out the Supreme Award during the event’s 20th anniversary.

Allison’s work of art, which was inspired by her family’s love of mushrooms, was made from hand crochet wool, and featured interlocking fibres representing mycelium strands, champions of decomposition and renewal. 

“It is such a surprise, I started working on it a year ago when my daughter gave my husband a mushroom pack as a father's day gift and that was my inspiration.” 

A sellout crowd of more than 500 people packed out the Alexandra Bowling Club for the gala event, many having travelled from outside the area to be in attendance. 

WoolOn event coordinator and deputy chair Jamie Richards said the increase in demand and the heightened anticipation for WoolOn this year has been both “heartwarming and reassuring”.

“WoolOn is a great opportunity to experience the cultural and creative significance of wool here in the heart of Otago. This year we have been overwhelmingly impressed by the standard of the designers, it is without doubt our best showcase yet”.

Allison MacKay’s creation, titled ‘Mr Fungi’.

Daphne Randle's creation titled 'Autumn is Over' was runner-up.

Second runner-up in the novice section was awarded to Jan Fraser for her creation titled Ka Tiritiri o te Moana Waimakariri.

This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the event, a milestone that is not taken for granted.

“WoolOn has evolved a lot over the past 20 years and is now more relevant than ever as we all seek more sustainable ways to live,” Jamie said.

“We are ambitious about what we can achieve in positively promoting the sustainability of wool with this proudly Alexandra based event in the years to come.”

All WoolOn entries have to be 75 per cent wool, a challenge that tests a designer's skill and creativity while showcasing the abundant qualities of the material. 

While the New Zealand fashion industry has had several challenges this year, Central Otago has seen an increase in local designers as well as demand for the use of sustainable materials.  

Judge Liz Mitchell, an Auckland based fashion designer, also praised the event.

“This has been a really exciting evening. Alexandra is such a great choice for the venue and great to see the community support.”

Judge Margi Robertson, of Dunedin based label NomD*, recognised the efforts of the many designers.

“It’s incredible to see the amount of hand work that has gone into many of the garments. It’s pretty amazing.”

Judge Christina Perriam, founder of merino brand Perriam, also acknowledged the skills people were utilising to craft from wool.

“It’s so awesome to see how people are using wool, it’s such an amazing fibre, even young people are making amazing things with it, it’s great to see them coming through.”

PHOTOS: Lisa Hill