The Huntleigh Home team put their design skills to the test and held a staff competition to design a costume for residents to model in a Winter Wonderland-themed parade.
Annelize Steyn (Recreation Team Leader) made an umbrella, which was modelled with flair by resident Bernie Pool.
“The minute before she entered the room the costume was draped over her and she was an absolute natural in the parade,” Annelize says.
The winning costume – a korowai or cloak fit for a queen – was modelled by resident Jean Partington and designed by two Health Care Assistants. One – Deepali Saini – previously worked in the Bollywood entertainment industry in India as an assistant art director for TV shows.
Deepali said she was amazed by the ceremony of draping the korowai over children at her son’s school. The two worlds came together as she thought of what would suit Jean Partington, who has Māori heritage. Rhieza Jones, another HCA, helped to cut the intricate paper feathers.