Looking for the ”wow” factor … Henty Natural Fibre Fashion Awards convener Anne Maher is urging designers to think creatively as entries open for the awards that celebrate all things natural fibres, as part of the Henty Machinery Field Days. Photo: HMFD.
It’s all very well to sew, but it’s another thing to create, says Anne Maher.
The convener for this year’s Henty Natural Fibre Fashion Awards says you may be able to sew a “perfect” garment, but it also needs to catch your eye on the catwalk.
And that’s what the judges will be looking for as Australian and international designers prepare to showcase their creative use of fibre and contemporary designs for the awards, a highlight of the Country Lifestyle Pavilion at the Henty Machinery Field Days.
Entries are now being accepted for this year’s awards, which are free and open to both amateurs and professionals, with the only stipulation that the fabric in the garment must be at least 70 per cent natural fibre — wool, cotton, alpaca, silk, linen or combinations.
The awards recognise the innovative use of natural fibres – from paddock to catwalk.
“Creativity is what we are after,” Mrs Maher says. “The natural fibre awards are designed around encouraging designers and giving them a platform, as well as promoting how important and wearable our natural fibres are.”
The debut of a new category last year — Best Repurposed/Recycled Fabric Garment — proved a resounding success, with 33 wildly wonderful creations entered.
Designers were inspired to use velvet curtains, tea towels, blankets, crocheted doilies, old shirts, cotton towels, vintage fabrics and cotton quilts to present an eclectic range of overalls, coats, dresses and men’s clothing.
The new category was won by Henty’s Jan Dew, who used a lace tablecloth to make a skirt and crop top embellished with pearl beading. She took home a $500 prize sponsored by Greater Hume Council.
Mrs Maher says it’s great to see materials that have had another purpose now being used for something else.
“Other people may have vintage fabric they can turn into a new garment or repurpose vintage clothing,” she says.
The finalists pictured with (front) winner Caitlin Cumberlege, of Wagga, in the Supreme Garment at the 2025 Natural Fibre Fashion Awards at the Henty Machinery Field Days. Photo: Andy Rogers.
The 2025 Henty Natural Fibre Fashion Awards drew 726 entries and accessories from almost every state and internationally, but it was young Wagga designer Caitlin Cumberlege who took out the Supreme Garment title with a wearable-art dress commenting on global environmental degradation.
The 18-year-old, a first-time entrant in the awards, was exactly the type of new designer the awards aimed to nurture, according to Mrs Maher.
“Caitlin first became involved in Henty’s natural fibre awards as one of our models while she was at high school,” she says.
“She loved it so much, she asked to come back and then went on to study it as a subject. She had to do it by distance education, which is a big achievement. She’s at university now [studying sustainable textile innovation, new fibres and systems at RMIT, Melbourne] and we are keen to see if she’ll come back this year!”
Another new category introduced last year was the Popular Choice Award, judged in a similar fashion to the Archibald Prize Packing Room Award by the hard-working team behind the scenes.
Boasting prizes valued around $5500, the 21st annual fashion awards will be held at the Henty Machinery Field Days, from 22-24 September.
Entries will be paraded in the Country Lifestyle pavilion at 1 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, 22 and 23 September, with the final parade at 11 am on 24 September and the winners announced at 1:30 pm.
The winners of the best knitted or crocheted garment will receive $500, which is being donated, while the millinery and accessory winners will each receive $500, 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.
To learn more about the Henty Natural Fibre Fashion Awards, contact Anne Maher on 0488 925 514, email [email protected] or visit the Henty Machinery Field Days website.
