Eden Hore: Celebrating a Central Otago Impresario

A Dedicated Farmer of Fashion

In 1965, the Kinks were famously singing about a dedicated follower of fashion doing his “little rounds of the boutiques of London town”.

Meanwhile, somewhat less famously, a Central Otago high-country farmer was also conducting his own little rounds and beginning to curate a collection of high fashion garments which would become one of New Zealand’s most extraordinary ensembles showcasing the leading designers of the 1970s and 1980s.

- photography by Derek Henderson

Eden Hore Central Otago

Long before the Otago Central Rail Trail was attracting visitors to the Māniatoto, Hore realised that fashion could draw people to his region, and he started displaying his unique collection of clothes in an old tractor shed on his farm which had been converted into a showroom.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that curating a world-class fashion collection whilst juggling farm operations on a remote high-country station would have been enough to keep Eden Hore busy.

But no.

Based at his Naseby farm - Glenshee – Hore hosted glamorous garden parties and charity fashion shows attended by some of the best-known celebrities of the time and when the Naseby cinema closed, he established his own theatre at Glenshee to screen comedies on a Saturday night.

As well as his collection of haute couture, Eden Hore also collected cars, stuffed animals and decanters. In addition to farming sheep, he Imported live bison and yaks, and bred deer, goats and miniature horses… and the stories don’t end there.

The Central Otago landscapes are the perfect backdrop for haute couture.

Farming meets fashion.

A new book "Central Otago Couture: The Eden Hore Collection" launches in April.

The book is supported by an exhibition at Toitū Otago Settlers Museum in Dunedin

In April a new book chronicling this remarkable, and unlikely, story is to be launched. Central Otago Couture: The Eden Hore Collection, by Jane Malthus and Claire Regnault weaves together fashion history and the extraordinary story of Māniatoto farmer Eden Hore’s obsession with couture clothing and is illustrated with stunning photographic images by Derek Henderson set against iconic Central Otago landscapes.

In conjunction with the book launch, a two-year exhibition with highlights from the collection will open at Toitū Otago Settlers Museum in Dunedin (2 April 2025 - 21 April 2027).

Order your copy here

“His clothes are loud, but never square” The Kinks 1965 (Lyrics from A Dedicated Follower of Fashion).

Find Out More: Eden Hore Central Otago Events

Book Launch: Central Otago Couture - The Eden Hore Collection

Book signings and author talks with photographer Derek Henderson and co-author Jane Malthus and model Allanah Kwant:

Thursday 3 April 2025

Paper Plus, Alexandra at 1pm
LoHi, Ranfurly - 6pm

Toitū Exhibition - Dunedin

A two-year exhibition with highlights from the collection will open at Toitū Otago Settlers Museum in Dunedin (2 April 2025 - 21 April 2027). There will also be an author talk with Jane and with photographer Derek on 2 April at Toitū. The event coincides with iD Fashion Week in Dunedin (1 - 6 April 2025).

Derek’s photographs will also be displayed at the Melanie Roger Gallery in Auckland 9-17 April, with the exhibition opening and book signing taking place on 9 April with Derek and Jane alongside cover model Ngahuia Williams.

Central Stories in Alexandra is hosting a small exhibition in March and April featuring one of the high-tech pods that keep the dresses in optimum conditions.

A Dedicated Farmer of Fashion

A Dedicated Farmer of Fashion

Find Out More: Eden Hore Central Otago Events

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