Introduced in 2022, the Australian Made Business Award is sponsored by JMP Developments, Wodonga for $500, and will be a highlight of the 19th annual Henty Natural Fibre Awards at the 2024 Henty Machinery Field Days on September 17 to 19.
To be eligible for the Australian Made Business Award, entries must be designed in Australia and be either from fibres grown or manufactured in Australia plus the garment be Australian manufactured.
Last year’s winner Jessica Durman, from Kooringal in NSW, teaches fashion design and dress making at Sew Me School of Fashion and Design, Wagga Wagga, and entered five garments in conjunction with her mother-in-law Fiona Durman.
Boasting prizes valued around $5500, the fashion awards have grown into a prestigious event attracting high profile designers, with the 2024 entries to be paraded in the Country Lifestyle pavilion at 1pm on Tuesday and Wednesday of the field days.
The final parade will be held at 11am on Thursday with the winners announced at 1.30pm.
Awards convenor Lyn Jacobsen said the Business Development Award was creating excitement among designers with new entrants planning on participating.
“Since the field days are located within a major wool and fibre producing region, it was important an event be carried on to encourage designers to showcase their creativity using the fibres allowed,’’ Mrs Jacobsen said.
“This competition is free and open to all designers, but the fabric in the garment must be at least 70 per cent natural fibre, which can be wool, cotton, alpaca, silk, linen or combinations. Leather is not classed as a natural fibre and can only be added as a trim.
“Garments are judged on visual appeal, creativity and innovation.’’
To be announced on the final day, the winner of the supreme garment made with natural fibres will receive $1000 in prize money from Henty Machinery Field Days plus a Bernina 325 sewing machine valued at $1499, courtesy of Bernina Australia and Sew Fab, Narrandera.
A knitted body-hugging Merino wool dress with a stunning three-tiered hat titled ‘Coming up Roses’ stole the limelight on the catwalk at last year’s awards, winning the supreme garment for international designer Laurel Judd.
The winners of the best knitted or crocheted garment will receive $500 donated by Fox & Lillie Rural, while the millinery and accessory winners will receive $500 each sponsored by Henty Machinery Field Days.
Bernina Australia and Sew Fab are donating a Bernette 44 Funlocker valued at $750 as an encouragement award for the best garment by a student designer.
Entries are open until September 3. For more information on the awards or to enter, visit: https://www.hmfd.com.au
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