Ag Art Wear looks forward to the past at Fieldays

MEDIA RELEASE
05 June 2008

Ag Art Wear looks forward to the past at Fieldays 40th event

The popular Ag Art Wear competition joins in Fieldays’ 40th birthday celebrations this year with a retrospective showcase pitting previous award winners against 2008 challengers.

The History of Ag Art Wear showcase will lead off the Ag Art Wear show, held at 10.30am and 2.00pm Wednesday and Thursday and at 10.00am, 12.00noon and 2.00pm on Friday and Saturday. Art work walks as garments new and old will are displayed on the catwalk in a professionally choreographed, lit and modeled show that draws capacity crowds throughout Fieldays.

Fieldays General Manager, Barry Quayle, says that the History of Ag Art Wear class is a great chance for Fieldays visitors to see the newest agricultural art for the body and enjoy an encore viewing of their favourite garments from years gone by. “Ag Art Wear has come a long way in the 15 years it has been running,” says Quayle, “designs are increasingly creative and challenging, making the most of the many items found on modern farms to surprise and delight audiences each and every year.”

The History of Ag Art Wear showcase will see the return of 1995 and 1997 award-winning entries from Ag Art Wear and Possum Fur Fashion Design Awards regular, Dulcie Barton along with ‘Gladiator’ by Tony Gray from the 2000 competition, ‘Target’ by Sarah Dodd (2003) and Avant Garde, Designer and Landcare class winners from 2005, 2006 and 2007. Winning garments from Te Wananga O Aotearoa, Matamata College will also feature, joining entries from Pixie Craig, submitted by her family in memory of this talented Ag Art Wear designer.

(More)
Following the historical showcase, new 2008 entries will storm the catwalk. The flagship category, Avant Garde features some of the most wild and wacky creations, with garments more about form than function. In the designer category, entries follow a more traditional clothing format resulting in classically beautiful garments made out of surprising materials and the Landcare category offers creators further design challenges and opportunities, requiring the use of only natural and untreated products. The competition is popular with young entrants with the Under-21 class providing a pathway for talented young designers and artists.

With large cash prizes and plenty of attention up for grabs, competition in the Ag Art Wear competition will be fierce. In addition to prizes for each class, this year Fieldays is pleased to present the Supreme Ag Art Wear Award 2008, which will include entries from the History of Ag Art Wear showcase, pitted against new 2008 designs.

Fieldays’ 40th anniversary event kicks off next Wednesday, 11 June 2008 and runs through to Saturday 14 June 2008 with gates open from 8am to 5pm daily.

(Ends)

© Scoop Media