Benson & Hedges Fashion Design Awards 1978

“As an Oscar is to actors, a Benson & Hedges Fashion Design Award was to aspiring New Zealand fashion designers.” The B&H Awards were the big fashion event of the year for three decades from 1964. This 1978 telecast is presented from Wellington’s Town Hall by John Hayden, and longtime B&H organiser Josephine Brody. The theme is ‘fantasy’, but the fabric du jour is wool — befitting an economy living off the sheep’s back — with design entries coming in from Kaitoke to Marton and a procession of homespuns and knitwear paraded before the visiting Parisian judge.

Pure fantasy is always with us in fashion, as a way of bringing dreams alive.

– Presenter Josephine Brody

Key Cast & Crew

Brian Hands

Musical Director

Josephine Brody

Presenter

John Hayden

Presenter