Weaving movie magic in Petone

Lower Hutt Mayor Ray Wallace tries a touch of magic by wearing Gandalf’s Mystical Silver Scarf woven on traditional looms by Petone- based textile company Stansborough. The company has been selected by Warner Brothers to design and weave textiles for the Hobbit movies.

Mayor Wallace says the Warner Brothers decision is a significant achievement for a local company.

“They have worked hard to gain success and we are very proud of their achievements,” says Mayor Wallace. “This is great for the company and great for Lower Hutt city.” The company also produced the Fellowship Cloaks and other fabric for The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

The picture shows Mayor Wallace, centre, with from left  Stansborough’s Cheryl and Barry Eldridge with the original looms from the 1890s.