A Steampunk-themed garment, made from cutlery, a duvet and a tablecloth, was judged the overall winner of a fashion competition encouraging people to upcycle clothing.

Fiona Norman's original outfit was made from items found at Hospice shops around the Hamilton city.

It was modelled by her daughter, Aislinn, at the Recreate fashion competition, held as part of Hospice Waikato's Fashion Over A Teacup event at the Cambridge Town Hall.

Recreate was open to amateur designers who were challenged to create wearable garments from items found in Hospice shops.

There were two categories, including Streetwear and Creative. Norman's garment won the Creative Section and then was judged the overall winner, from a pool of 36 entries.

As well as amateur designers, students from Fraser High School and Waikato Diocesan School for Girls also entered.

Norman said she was a member of the "Crafty Mums" group in Hamilton where a friend encouraged her and two others to enter.

The amateur designers were given a $50 voucher to purchase items from Hospice shops to make their garments.

"I was a little undecided what to do so when I asked Aislinn if she would be my model, her suggestion was a Steampunk ball gown," Norman said.

She visited the Lake Road Hospice shop with her vouchers in hand.

"Here I found the green brocade duvet and a machine crocheted tablecloth.

"On the front counter was a basket of silver cutlery and so the high tea [theme] grew from there."

Norman said all the teaspoons she selected, which featured on the front of the garment, were of places her family had visited.

"I went to the Claudelands Hospice shop next and here I found the perfect pink and brown embroidered satin duvet, and the teacup and saucer."

She said the garment "grew organically" with most design decisions made as she went along.

"I live in a house full of boys who insisted that my character [garment] needed a weapon to protect against possible Cthulhu attack."

Cthulhu is a cosmic character created by writer H. P. Lovecraft, first introduced in the short story The Call of Cthulhu, published in 1928.

"So we researched lady-sized Nerf guns and then painted it. The holster was a little tricky but I got it to work."

The hat worn by Aislinn also featured a teacup and saucer, in keeping with the name of the event.

Norman said she enjoyed entering for the first time and commended the Waikato Hospice team for organising the show.

"The Hospice team did an amazing job and my friends and I are already talking about entering next year."

The overall category winners received cash prizes of $500, $300, $200 respectively, donated by a Hospice supporter.

Category prizes were a selection of vouchers donated by businesses including Pony Bar & Provisions, Cambridge Paper Plus, Leven and Madison's Fashion.

The audience was also treated to five collections of clothes, sourced from eight Waikato Hospice shops, ranging from Steampunk to race-day glam, evening glam, winter coats and a Frida Khalo inspired collection.

The collections were modelled by Hospice staff and volunteers, including former Miss World New Zealand 1980, Vicki Lee Wihongi (nee Hemi).

Wihongi's father died last year and was looked after by Hospice services. Vicki Lee, from the Waikato, asked to model at the show as a way to give back to the organisation.

The event was held as part of the Cambridge Autumn Festival.Read more at:green bridesmaid dresses | grey bridesmaid dresses