Art Beat with Rosalie Crawford

The Incubator hosted an extravagant up-cycle fashion event profiling 18 designers recently.

In collaboration with the Turning Point Trust and Parent to Parent, each designer was given a bundle of vintage textiles, such as doilies, tea towels and neck ties, from which they had to create a new wearable item. They also showcased their own collections.

The nostalgic cruiseship theme was taken outdoors, with guests arriving dressed for a Titanic cocktail evening (pre-sinking). Each section of the show was punctuated with cruiseship and popular movie themes, played by the band, with entertainment also provided by pirates, singers and dancers including the Rhythmz and Dance studio. Pop up stalls, as part of a ‘dockside market', sold a range of jewellery, beauty and pampering products – all helping to create a decadent lush nautical island feel.

Judges for the up-cycle challenge were Robyne Dowdall, John Beech and Rose Webber. John commented: 'This is a great platform for creativity and we need more of it in Tauranga”.

Since opening the Incubator, founding directors Lisa Meehan and Simone Anderson have focused on collaborating and building connections between artists and other groups. Their creed is connectedness and cohesion through art creates a healthier and more attractive community.

Many volunteers worked hard to put on this exciting and vibrant event. MC Jolene James was an enthusiast ‘ship's captain', saying: 'When I moved to Tauranga from Wanganui there didn't seem to be much in the way of arts or culture here, but look how that's changed! I'm proud to be a wee part of the new wave of Tauranga culture that's unfolding!”

Designers included Christopher Huia Woods, who created the gown for Miss New Zealand to wear in the Miss World final in South Africa; Kerry Funnell who is a five-time winner of the Westfield Style Pasifika and has experience wardrobing on ‘Xena Warrior Princess', ‘Sparticus and The Hobbit'; and Julianne Brett, with her collection Tickety Boom inspired by roller skating and summertime.

Other designers who showcased their collections were Nicole Jaquiery, Kharl Wi Repa, Lessah Rangitakatu and Starr Smith, Kirsty Skipp, Rie Ozawa, Shannon Avery, Rachel Wolfgang McCardy, Joanna O'Reilly, Lynette Fisher, Rosey Armstrong, Denise Grant, Hazel Gypsy Fae, Donna and Zoe Beck, Holly Hill and Sandra Jensen.

Winners and runners up of the up-cycle challenge were Lessah Rangitakatu and Starr Smith (1^st place), Joanna O'Reilly (2^nd), Kirsty Skipp (3^rd), and Lynette Fisher (highly recommended).

(Rosalie Liddle Crawford, ATCL (Music Teaching), has exhibited and sold paintings, and been involved in arts promotion and festivals, managing galleries, and playing piano and violin in orchestras, theatres, musical shows and solo performances. She is a consultant for www.topshelfdesign.com and is a keen amateur photographer).

Kharl Wirepa and his model Victoria.

Christopher Huia Woods and his model Shan.

The winning design.