A shotgun wedding took place on a catwalk at Fieldays yesterday, much to the surprise of those attending.

But rather than nuptials it was an entry in the Fieldays Ag Art Wear fashion competition, which saw 43 garments from around the world displayed in a choreographed show.

"Shotgun Wedding" was designed by Whangaui's Sharon Bryant, who used 1000 shotgun cartridges, white silage cover, number 8 wire, recycled wood and a duck decoy to bring her creation to life.

She said the design was based on the Edwardian tradition that dictated marriage before babies and a celebration of the sport of shotgun shooting.

Shotgun cartridges were also used by Huia and Bettie Hudson from Taupo with their creation "12 gauge bombshell" – a traditional little frock complete with pillbox hat and stilettos.

Materials used to construct the garment included the brass ends of shotgun cartridges, pheasant feathers and cotton.

And in keeping with the shotgun theme was the Hamilton design by Nga Puti Puti O Te Roopu Raranga entitled "Just a boy called to war".

Hessian cloth formed the basis of this menswear garment that included hat, waistcoat, three-quarter pants and boots.

Mystery Creek event manager Sonya Anderson said the Ag Art Wear collection would move into Hamilton City on Friday night where a Fieldays dinner will conclude with the parade of all 43 garments at The Atrium, Wintec House.

- © Fairfax NZ News