WoolOn is very happy to have three esteemed judges for 2024!
It is with great pleasure we welcome back Liz Mitchell for another year! Liz has been on a very exciting road with her wool revolution and campaign for wool.
We also welcome Margi Robertson, designer of ubiquitous label NOM*d, who has recently spent time in Central Otago styling the Eden Hore Collection photo shoot.
And hailing from local merino country and previous event location, Tarras; the lovely Christina Perriam, founder of her luxury merino knitwear brand 'Perriam'
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Liz Mitchell
"I believe that addressing the challenges of today’s wool industry and working towards solutions for a more regenerative, healthier planet starts with community and promoting this incredible fibre.
WoolOn accommodates both of these"
Liz Mitchell MNZM, is one of New Zealand’s leading fashion designers, specialising in bespoke tailoring.
Based in Auckland, Liz is a champion for New Zealand wool with its unique and enduring qualities. She has designed garments for leading New Zealand women, most recently the Governor-General of New Zealand, Dame Cindy Kiro, and her predecessor Dame Patsy Reddy. Her work has graced the Academy red carpet at the Oscars.
Margi Robertson
The influence that Margarita Robertson has had on the New Zealand fashion industry began in 1975 in the Dunedin retail environment. The first PLUME store opened in 1978, offering a curated selection of avant-garde designers, the business expanded in 1986 with the conception of now-ubiquitous label NOM*d. Initially a knitwear range, however as the collection developed, PLUME became the flagship store for the label.
Robertson opened a second PLUME in Christchurch in 1992, confirming the success and longevity of NOM*d, and the international designers that are stocked alongside. In 1998 NOM*d was invited alongside three other NZ designers known as the NZ Four to show her collection at London Fashion Week. Since then, NOM*d has been recognised as the epitome of avant-garde Antipodean fashion, and Robertson has shown the label in conjunction with both London, Paris and New York Fashion Weeks. Collections such as Red (AW 2003), Caveat Emptor (SS 2005-06) and Turncoats (AW 2010) have galvanised NOM*d’s dark, deconstructivist and utilitarian attitude. The significance of the label has been recognised by its acquisition into dress collections at the National Gallery of Victoria and Te Papa Tongarewa. In 2018, Robertson was appointed an ONZM for her ongoing services to the New Zealand fashion industry. After 35 years, NOM*d and Robertson’s impact on fashion and print culture is enduring, continuing to offer innovative clothing for the discerning customer.
Christina Perriam
Christina was raised on Bendigo Station in Central Otago and developed a deep admiration for the landscape and the merino farming heritage that shaped her upbringing. Witnessing her parents' entrepreneurial spirit, she internalised the lesson that determination could transform challenges into opportunities, a philosophy she carried into founding Perriam, her luxury merino knitwear brand.
Christina's journey into the world of merino and retail began at her parents' purchase of the Merino Shop in 1984, a pivotal moment that ignited her lifelong passion. Growing up amidst the bustle of the shop, she absorbed her mother's dedication to crafting and connecting with customers and makers alike. From an early age, she found herself captivated by all things merino and fashion. Today, Christina honours her roots by embodying both her family's legacy and her own entrepreneurial vision.