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Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Tyres and dental floss prove winning combination
Annalisa Wikitoria McConachie (second left) wears the 2025 MLT Hokonui Fashion Design Awards "Award of Excellence" winning garment, flanked by designers Vicki Taylor-Blair (left) and Chris Reeve. Awards emcee Antonia Prebble is also pictured. PHOTO: ELLA SCOTT-FLEMING A garment made from the inner tubes of bicycle tyres and dental floss won the top prize at this year's MLT Hokonui Fashion Design Awards. Dunedin duo Vicki Taylor-Blair and Chris Reeve won the "Mataura Licensing Trust Award of Excellence" award in Gore on Saturday night for their design. The hours of hard work and inventive ideas of Southland designers and makers were also recognised. Hairdresser Ms Taylor-Blair won the same prize in 2018 alongside other accolades in the competition in the 12 years she has been involved. "I don't come to win, I just come for the challenge," she said. "I just love to see my work coming down the catwalk." She said the skirt was made with the woven tyre tubes. Then underneath was a frame. To sew the heavy structure to straps she had to use dental floss for its strength. The pair have entered the competition together as well as individually in previous years. Mrs Reeve said they usually get together once a week, until the competition deadline looms closer. "Just on Sundays mostly and, as the time gets closer, we get busier," Mrs Reeve said. Mrs Reeve works as a fabric technology teacher at Queen's High School and said her students had watched the garment come to life. "[They] have been watching this whole thing grow," she said. After some nerves over how the dress would show on the runway, Mrs Reeve was happy enough to win the Avant Garde Award earlier in the evening. "I thought, this is the best night of my life," she said. When she and Ms Taylor-Blair won the final, $16,500 prize package, tears were shed. "I was definitely crying," she said. Another winner on the night was Viv Tamblyn from Gore who won the "Peroni Open Gala Award" for her purple quilted puffer creation. It was Ms Tamblyn's 18th year competing. She had won a section every year bar one, she said. Ms Tamblyn usually has three looks in the competition, but this year it was "only" two. She said she took two months off after the competition before starting again. Her second look, an all-red pin-tucked garment, took her at least six months, she said. Another Gore local Debbie Smith won the "Heather Paterson QSM Memorial Trophy - Best Southland Designer Award" for her gown with horned headpiece. The evening was emceed by Outrageous Fortune actress Antonia Prebble, who took time to honour the awards' volunteer organisers, convener Jacqui McKinney and ambassador, Huffer founder Steve Dunstan.
Otago Daily Times
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Exclusive T-shirts to benefit future designers
A model wears the T-shirt designed by Huffer's Steve Dunstan. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED Some exclusive T-shirts, created by some of the country's best designers, will help raise money for the next generation of fashion talent. The Hokonui Fashion Awards, which take place this weekend, is leading the initiative, launching the Next Gen collective. At the heart of the project is a range of exclusive T-shirts, designed by New Zealand's leading fashion minds. The designers lending their creative weight to the venture represent the very best of New Zealand fashion, the awards said in a statement. Jacqui McKinney. From labels such as TAYLOR, Twenty Seven Names, Kathryn Wilson, New Lands, and Huffer's Steve Dunstan, each contributor brings a distinct voice, vision, and legacy to the collection. MLT Hokonui Fashion Awards chairwoman Jacqui McKinney brought together the design talent with a shared purpose: "This is what happens when creativity and collaboration collide. These T-shirts represent New Zealand's design excellence while raising the profile of the talented young creatives who will shape our industry's future," she said. Steve Dunstan. Funds raised from the collection will go directly into creating opportunities for emerging designers — nurturing creativity, innovation, and a sustainable future for New Zealand fashion. "Our designers have poured their talent into this initiative because they believe in the power of paying it forward," she said. "The Next Gen Collective is about more than a single project — it's about fostering creativity, and championing talent, and ensuring our design industry continues to lead the way." The exclusive T-shirts will soon be available to buy, launching this weekend to tie in with the Hokonui Fashion Awards. — APL
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Albuquerque woman takes on Bataan Memorial Death March
WHITE SANDS, N.M. (KRQE) – Over 4,000 people packed up their gear and walked or ran this weekend in honor of the heroes of the Bataan Death March. Among those thousands, was a retired military colonel from Albuquerque. Eighty-two years ago, 75,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war were forced to march 65 miles in what was later labeled the Bataan Death March. They suffered brutal treatment and extreme conditions, and thousands died. Fifty years later, White Sands Missile Range started a tradition to honor them and each year, it becomes more significant. 'We sort of did it on a whim with a friend of ours who had done it before who was in the Army active duty at that time,' said Retired Colonel, Linda Huffer. Veterans Memorial reopens following bird 'invasion' Huffer served in the military for over 20 years in the United States Army Medical Corp, specializing in cardiology before retiring in 2020. 'I admittedly prepared probably better two years ago,' said Huffer. This is Huffer's second time participating in the Bataan Memorial Death March and she's not doing it alone. 'I'm going to be marching the first half of the race or to the fourteen-mile loop with one of my good friends,' said Huffer. Right as the sun began to rise on Saturday morning, Huffer was feeling good, and off she went. Thousands of men and women are making their way through dirt, sand, and rocks below the San Andres Mountains. Map: New Mexico Veterans' Monuments and Memorials Some carry packs, flags, and even 4×4 wooden posts. Others honor their own loved ones who have died in service. Two miles in, Huffer reached the first water station and trekked on to complete the entire 26.2-mile course. A grueling yet rewarding experience. 'It gives me an opportunity to sort of think about what others have been through. I found it quite remarkable seeing some of the older folks who were finishing the race who just never stopped,' said Huffer. She finished in just under eight hours. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Yahoo
Decatur votes against allowing a new type of gambling device
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — On Monday, Decatur's City Council voted to ban electronic sweepstakes machines. WCIA talked to someone who helps treat problem gamblers to see what these machines are… Anita Pindiur from the group Way Back Inn. 'They're video gaming terminals that don't have a payout potential, though they are mainly used as entertainment,' Pindiur said. PREVIOUSLY: Decatur looking to end sweepstake kiosks, regulate massage parlors They're also known as sweepstakes kiosks. But — a Decatur city official said they're not always free. 'They say that they're a free play, so you don't actually have to put any money in. But we've found through investigation that you do end up having to put money in to end up getting any sort of prize,' Decatur Communications Coordinator Ryan Huffer said. Huffer said the ban received community support 'The community has been pretty vocal about not wanting more video gaming in the city,' Huffer added. And Pinduir said they can be a gateway to worse outcomes for people who play. Decatur Public Library introduces Illinois Underground Railroad exhibit 'Often depending on how they are, they're kind of their first beginning. So, we know as persons who are at high risk might engage in them and then kind of feel very motivated to start on gambling for more money,' Pinduir said. City officials said the council had a reason for doing this now. 'Some businesses have been approached here about having them located in the City of Decatur, so we wanted to get ahead of that,' Huffer said. And it's part of a bigger push from the community against gambling as a whole. The city did a survey asking people their thoughts on the amount of gambling in Decatur. 'Surveys are what they are. But we did get a pretty overwhelming response from the community that there [is] too much gambling,' Huffer said. Macon Co. Sheriff's Office warns of call scams So, he said the council will remain strong on this issue. 'We're just trying to get ahead of it at all times. And again, we've heard from the community that they don't want more video gaming. And the council is also behind that, that reducing the number of video gaming machines is a goal of ours,' Huffer said. If you or anyone you know is struggling with a gambling addiction Anita Pindiur said there are many resources out there to help. One of those is 1-800-GAMBLER — a phone line where you can get help 24/7. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
