Airport carpet inspires t-shirt design

The retro carpet from Nelson Airport’s old terminal building is making a comeback - in the form of a t-shirt.

If you’re a Nelsonian, then chances are you remember the iconic brown, orange, red, and yellow carpet from the 1970’s.

This Saturday, there will be a stall at the airport selling t-shirts with the carpet design, and all the proceeds will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters Nelson Tasman.

Nelson Airport communications manager Beth Catley says the idea was born when they jokingly asked the public on their Facebook page if they should bring back the old carpet in the new terminal.

“The response was huge and lots of people thought we should,” she says.

“So, we decided that while we probably couldn’t bring back the old carpet, we could give people the chance to own and wear a piece of the nostalgia.”

Cushla Vass from Big Brothers Big Sisters says Nelson Airport has been a longtime sponsor of the organisation and she’s excited to team up with them for the t-shirt fundraiser.

“The carpet is so iconic, it couldn’t be more 1970’s if it tried. All the money raised will go directly to support our mentors.”

There will only be 100 ‘memory square’ t-shirts up for grabs in a range of sizes for $40 each. Any leftover stock will go to the Nelson Classic Car Museum.

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The stall will be open from 9am until 5pm on Saturday 1 July, unless they sell out earlier, and will be staffed by mentor pairs throughout the day.

Cushla is now on the hunt for the person who made a jacket and hat out of the carpet for the WOW awards. If you have any information, email [email protected]