Master of Ceremonies Catriona Rowntree entertained 500 guests in black-tie who represented all links of the wool supply chain - from woolgrowers, rural service providers, designers, shop owners, educators, as well as the local New England business community.

She said she was in awe of the talent on-show at the awards, commending all the designers who entered their collections, especially those awarded a prize.

"We are witnessing ground-breaking innovation in the wool fashion and design space right now which makes it an extremely exciting time for our industry," Catriona said.

Fleece to Fashion board director Liz Foster of Green Willow in Armidale, said she was immensely proud of the work that went into producing the 2019 entries.

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"This is only our second year of a rename. We were the Australian Wool Fashion Awards for quite a few years, and before that we were the Wearable Wool Awards. So, we're a new company completely," she said.

"New Board, new name, fresh faces.

"We had a lot of entries tertiary entries, students who had graduated from the University of Technology and Science (UTS) and as you'll see on the list of winner, they did very well."

Liz said the event had grown since last year, even with the effects of the drought being felt throughout the regions.

"I am continually amazed at the quality and skills seen throughout the Fleece to Fashion competition - the designs are unusual, as we would expect from young, emerging designers, who like to push boundaries and think outside the square," she said.

New England Woolgrowers Supreme Award for 2019 went to UTS Fashion and Design graduate Madison Hislop for her graduate collection 'In Love', which used a combination of knitwear, silks, and woolen suitings sourced in Melbourne.

Madison said the collection highlighted how clothing can attach meaning to it, either cocoon us in its comfort and familiarity, or trap us in suffocating shapes that immobilise and impair.

'In Love' confirms the need for us to connect to our clothing and our emotions and take comfort in wearing your heart on your sleeve," she said.

"What made this award all the more significant was the chance to travel to Armidale to connect with the woolgrowers themselves.

"Meeting the people who make the Merino wool that becomes this wonderful, versatile fibre - which is also environmentally-friendly - is really special and I'm so appreciative of the hard work that goes into wool production."

Also the recipient of the 2019 Carla Zampatti Foundation Design Award, Madison is relocating to New York City in August to pursue a Masters in Fashion Design and Society (MFA) at the prestigious Parsons School of Art and Design, spearheading her career to an international level.

THE 2019 WINNERS WERE: