WoolOn is set to return next year, bringing two days of fashion, creativity and wool craftsmanship back to Alexandra.

The event will be held next August, with the Alexandra Bowling Club hosting the main awards for the second year in a row.

The weekend programme includes a mix of Matinee and Evening Gala catwalk shows, alongside a Sunday Trade Expo at Central Stories Museum & Art Gallery.

WoolOn chairperson Sue Philip said, “We have a responsibility to champion the wearing of wool and the designers who create with it. If you’re looking to make a beautiful, impactful statement with your work, we dare you to take the plunge”.

She said WoolOn aims to inspire designers and audiences alike.

“WoolOn wants to continue inspiring you to create and wear wool with imagination and flare, as well as provide fashion loving Central Otago and visitors from beyond a truly memorable showcase of catwalk entertainment”.

Designers are again being encouraged to push boundaries with wool across nine categories.

These include Streetwear, Handcrafted, Collections, Special Occasion, Reuse/Restyle/Repurpose, Accessories, Avant Garde, Machine Crafted, and Toi tū ki Uruuruwhenua – a category inspired by culture across Aotearoa New Zealand, including Te Ao Māori.

Showcasing at WoolOn puts designers in the running for national recognition and a share of more than $10,000 in prize packages.

The Supreme Award offers a $5,000 prize package, with further awards recognising emerging designers, commercial viability, menswear, youth talent and people’s choice winners.

Key details for designers include early-bird entry pricing (available until March 13), final entries closing July 31, and all completed garments due in Alexandra by August 14.

Entry forms, category guides and terms and conditions are available on the WoolOn website.

WoolOn remains New Zealand’s only solely wool-focused creative fashion catwalk event, celebrating wool’s resilience, sustainability and versatility.

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