The stage is set, garments are sewn, and models are ready to hit the runway for the Hokonui Fashion Design Awards this evening.
The two-night event in Gore has been running annually for nearly 40 years and is a staple for the Southland region.
Designs are sent from around the country, couriered in boxes – and some entrants, like Hazel Evans, are still in high school.
"So excited and nervous… Oh my gosh, they [the judges] get to see what I make," she said.
Some of New Zealand's biggest names in fashion descend on the town for the event, with past judges including Karen Walker, Dame Trelise Cooper, Dame Denise L'Estrange-Corbet and Kate Sylvester.
Kowtow's head designer Dayne Johnston flew down to be on the panel this year.
"I'm blown away," Johnston said.
"We just have been judging the school entries this morning and just the collaboration, the kind of work and the quality of the garments – I mean, school-age children sewing and making and designing these – it's actually incredible.”
Just 30 pieces were on the catwalk when the event began at the local theatre in 1988. This year, more than 240 garments have been entered.
The show has upgraded to a stadium venue over the years – with more than 1300 expected to attend this weekend.
This year's show also has a brand-new catwalk.
There are 10 categories with awards, but the overall winner will strut home with a prize package worth more than $16,500.
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