One Earth. Many Farmers. Countless Stories.
In the golden grasslands of Naseby, tucked away in Central Otago, New Zealand, lived a man who defied the conventional image of a farmer. Eden Hore, a rugged sheep and cattle farmer by profession, carried a secret passion that would eventually make him a national icon—not for his livestock or land, but for his love of haute couture.
The Man Behind the Farm
Born into a life of farming, Eden Hore managed a vast 5,500-acre property. His daily routine was not unlike other farmers in the region—early mornings, tending to sheep, fixing fences, and navigating the unpredictable weather of the Otago high country. But unlike others, Eden had an eye for glamour, color, and creativity.
While many spent profits on machinery or land, Eden began investing in something unexpected: fashion.
The Farmer Who Collected Gowns
In the 1970s, Eden began acquiring some of the most dazzling and extravagant garments made by top New Zealand designers. From feathered bodices to sequined evening gowns, his collection grew to include more than 200 pieces. He sourced them directly from fashion shows and designers, developing a keen eye for the cutting-edge and the avant-garde.
These weren’t ordinary clothes—they were statement pieces, the kind worn by models on runways, far removed from the gumboots and wool sweaters of rural life.
But Eden wasn’t collecting for vanity. He saw fashion as an art form, a powerful expression of identity and creativity. He believed that just because one worked with livestock didn’t mean they couldn’t also appreciate elegance and beauty.
A Shed of Sequins
Eden converted part of his farm into a private fashion museum. In what used to be a tractor shed, gowns now shimmered under spotlights, their sequins glinting against the backdrop of bare wood and corrugated iron.
Visitors to the farm were stunned. Imagine driving through paddocks, passing sheep and farm dogs, only to step into a room filled with silk, velvet, and couture glamour. The contrast was surreal—and magical.
Innovation Beyond Fashion
Eden wasn’t just creative in clothing. He was also a pioneer in agricultural innovation. He was one of the first farmers in New Zealand to use aerial top-dressing—spreading fertilizer from the sky to increase pasture growth. He also captured wild deer and started farming them, laying the foundation for New Zealand’s now-thriving venison industry.
Earnings & Lifestyle
In the 1970s and ’80s, a high-country sheep and cattle station of Eden’s size could yield profits of NZD 50,000 to 100,000 annually—a substantial amount back then. Eden smartly split his income between improving the farm and expanding his fashion collection.
Despite his wealth and fame, Eden never left the land. He remained grounded, living in modest farm buildings, surrounded by the same hills and sheep he always had.
Legacy Lives On
After Eden passed away in 1997, his collection was preserved by the Central Otago District Council. Today, it remains a significant part of New Zealand’s cultural history. Fashion historians and tourists alike are drawn to his story—a story that bridges the gap between rural grit and urban glamor.
His garments are now featured in exhibitions, media coverage, and even digital archives, ensuring Eden’s bold vision lives on for future generations.
Why Eden Hore’s Story Matters
Eden Hore’s life challenges our assumptions about farmers. He showed us that you can work the land and appreciate art. That farming is not a limitation, but a canvas for expression.
In an industry often perceived as conservative, Eden’s flamboyant fashion sense was not just tolerated—it was celebrated. He left behind not just wool and meat, but a message: farming is diverse, surprising, and full of hidden brilliance.
Inspired?
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