Hats that take you on magical journeys

JOHN BISSET

MILLINER'S LUCK: Rachel Morton gets ready for the New Zealand Hat and Hair Art Awards.

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The entries are in for a fantastical trip around the world.

Timaru Theatre Royal will act as an airport departure lounge for the 61 entries in the travel-themed New Zealand Hat and Hair Art Awards on November 21.

Event director Denise Whyte was impressed with the variety of offerings in the categories: north, west, east and south.

"It will be a tour of the world that finishes in the south," she said.

The north section focuses on the Arctic Circle, with entrants invited to take their imagination to the northern reaches, using black or white depicting the polar day or night.

East will capture the opulence of the old Orient, with its architectural treasures, antiquities, ornate tapestries, precious metals and rich vintage fabrics.

Entrants in the west section were to focus on the modern world, inspired by technology and bizarre gadgets.

The final category, south, will have a tribal edge unique to Aotearoa, our Pacific neighbours, African, Asian and South American cultures.

Ms Whyte said entries this year ranged from beautiful hats that could be worn to the races to dramatic creations "that are just complete works of art".

There were 34 hats, and 27 entries in the hair art section.

"We have more entries this year from out of the area – from as far north as Auckland to Balclutha in the south," Ms Whyte said.

"We also have 22 first-time entrants."

There were still tickets available to the gala performances.

"We really want to encourage local people to come.

"This year the event has had quite a profile nationally which has helped it grow, but we really want to see local faces there too."