Meet the iD Board

Your book Central Otago Couture: The Eden Hore Collection launched at iD 2025. Was this project a huge undertaking?

Central Otago Couture was a wonderful project to be part of. I had been working on Eden Hore and his collection on-and-off for years, so loved bringing all that research together and doing more. I wrote the bio and story of the collection, a chapter on New Zealand’s textiles manufacture and trade in the 20th century, and was very involved in the photoshoots of the gorgeous mostly 1970s outfits in the Central Otago landscape with a great team of people.

As a dress historian, do you recognise recurring themes in fashion over the decades?

I love how fashion evolves over time yet looks back to past styles, reusing and reinventing elements in new ways. Dating clothes relies on looking carefully at the details sometimes, such as the shape of a collar, or the hang of a sleeve. Fabrics, weaves and print change over time but fashion often harks back to earlier styles.

How would you describe your personal style?

My personal style is heavily influenced by my formative fashion years, I realise. I can’t seem to get past some colour coordination! I like loose and comfortable clothes, and these days shoe comfort is pretty important too!

What fashion designers do you most admire?

I admire many fashion designers, local and international, but I’m especially in awe of emerging graduates – they always inspire with their choices and creativity.

Do you have any plans for the year hiatus from iD Dunedin Fashion Week?

In iD Fashion’s hiatus year, I will be preparing and delivering a U3A course on Textiles Now, preparing a few new additions to the Eden in Dunedin exhibition, and continuing to work with and for Eden Hore Central Otago and Hon. Curator, Tūhura Otago Museum. Reading a few books in my bedside pile and making some things with my fabric stash will also be on the to-do list.