Breeding Success How I Live... From Stud Farm To Catwalk

When She’s Not on the Farm, Sheree Mcintyre (60) Takes the Reins of One of the Country’s Biggest Fashion Events

- Hayley McLarin

“When you start again, it’s all about putting yourself out there. I was 50 when my husband Brent and I moved to northern Southland with our youngest son Caine after selling our farm near Invercargill. Our three children were all adults and when you don’t have kids at school it’s hard to get to know people, so I joined some local clubs and groups.

I belong to both the Balfour and Gore dinner clubs, a local share group and book club, and I will take over the presidency of the Gore Women’s Club in November.

I became involved in the Hokonui Fashion Design Awards eight years ago. People often get a surprise when they meet me as I’m not that young or slim – but I really enjoy fashion. I can’t sew a stitch, but I love colour, texture and design, and seeing what the new trends are.

I initially started assisting Heather Paterson, the event’s long-time convenor, with administrative tasks including cataloguing the entries and creating the databases.

Following Heather’s illness and subsequent passing, I became administrator, and took over as event chair this year.

The awards were created for aspiring amateur designers – anyone who doesn’t have a brand or label, including secondary school pupils. Last year, 300 garments were on show over the two nights, and 492 people attended the Strictly Design Show on the Friday night, with 690 coming to the Gala Show in Gore the following evening.