Central Otago District Council (CODC) was updated on activities related to the Eden Hore Central Otago fashion collection - and especially about the acquisition of three new garments into the collection - at its meeting yesterday (Wednesday, June 28).

Eden Hore (1919 - 1997) was a Central Otago high country farmer and entrepreneur, who assembled the largest collection of haute couture 1970s and 80s fashion in New Zealand.

A white evening dress with an ostrich feather-trimmed cape from the Lewis Townsend Original label has been added to the Eden Hore Central Otago collection 

CODC community and engagement manager Paula Penno told the council the three garments had been offered to the collection after they were purchased by an anonymous donor from the estate of Alma McElwain, who was employed by Eden and worked at his Glenshee Ranch for 12 years. 

A sequinned top and trouser suit by designer Kevin Berkahn

Alma was interested in fashion and travelled to Dunedin weekly to attend the Vanity Walk Modelling School, and Eden bought her a number of fashion garments that she cherished, Paula said.

“He went from buying garments for Alma to purchasing them himself.”

Those garments became the fashion collection, which CODC purchased in 2013 and is now managed by the Eden Hore Central Otago Trust.

A woven daywear jacket by designer Colin Cole

The acquisition committee gratefully accepted the gift into the collection, Paula reported.

CODC mayor Tim Cadogan, in moving that Paula’s report be received, added “that council thanks the anonymous donor of these garments”.