From tragedy to exotic fashion

Matthew Salmons Reporter from Christchurch Mail

Tragedy sometimes brings positive outcomes. Former model and fashion entrepreneur Judy Dodwell had just left New Zealand for a new life in Bahrain with her husband and two sons when she received a phone call she has never forgotten.
Her beautiful daughter had been tragically killed in a car accident near Queenstown.
The news shocked the family. Nicola, who excelled at school and was deputy head prefect, was travelling to Queenstown with a friend for a holiday job when the car spun out of control. Nicola was flung to her death on the roadside.
In a new country, in a new culture, Judy admits she did not cope with her loss. Paralysed with grief she found it impossible to complete even the smallest tasks. Her two sons needed their mother and parenting them both seemed to be all she could do.
Five years passed until one day she read in a magazine, "Success only comes by a change of attitude."
This sentence stayed in her mind, reminding her of previous success in life as an international model and the positive outlook she had at that time.
Judy determined to change her attitude, use her knowledge and skills and start her own modelling school, ignoring Bahrain's ban on expatriate women working.
After one year she was shut down. Judy would not close without a fight however so she appealed, was granted an audience with the highest government officials and finally her licence was granted by the king.
Judy's company Visual Image, Academy of Modelling expanded rapidly and before long Judy provided models for Formula 1 and Jewellery Arabia.
At the same time she amassed an exotic and amazing wardrobe of garments.
This spectacular Arabic fashion, which has been stored for over two decades, will be shown to the public for the first time this month at St Barnabas Church.
This is a first for the earthquake damaged newly restored and reopened church. Judy hopes to raise the final amount of money owing to pay for the earthquake repairs. She will install her cat walk down the centre isle and make use of the state of the art new sound system in the church.
All models are local and trained by Judy.

DETAILS
WHEN: November 24, 8pm.
WHERE: St Barnabas Church, Fendalton, Christchurch.
ENTRY: Tickets are $30 and available from the St Barnabas church office from 9am-3pm and the Ballantynes Department Store customer service desk.

- Words by Olive Lawson and Judy Dodwell. Photo - Amanda Dodwell.