Every year, Wellington New Zealand sets the bar in cutting-edge design, art and fashion. Now in its thirtieth year, the World of WearableArt (WOW) is the leading global wearable art show and just quietly, we’re more than a little proud of that.
"Athletes have the Olympics, actors have the Oscars, musicians have the Grammys, designers and costume creators have WOW "
Bob Haven, Professor at Kentucky University, 2007 WOW Designer
CREATIVITY TAKES CENTRE STAGE
The World of WearableArt is an opportunity for the world’s most creative people to come together – and they come in their crowds. Every year, over 300 designers from more than 40 countries enter the prestigious competition, from New Zealand, Australia, India and Sweden, to Canada, USA, UK and Germany. Some work at the cutting-edge of fashion, art, photography or theatre, whilst others are students or passionate amateurs. Anyone can enter, and anyone can win.
THE WORLD'S CRAZIEST CATWALK
Each of the designers enters the world of the unimaginable as they create masterpieces that break boundaries using unconventional materials and processes. Plastic, glass, rubber, metal – always a lot of metal – as well as more bizarre materials are reimagined by these extraordinary creative thinkers into works of wearable art.
The Aotearoa, Open and Avant-garde sections are a constant presence, challenging designers to continually reinvent the wheel (or any other object), whilst three new categories are introduced each year, with the likes of breakfast bras, apocalyptic warriors and walking kaleidoscopes taking to the stage. The philosophy is simple: the more experimental, radical and innovative, the better. And it never fails to disappoint.
WHERE ELSE BUT WELLINGTON?
For three weeks each year, Wellington throws open its doors and hotel rooms to the thousands of people who come to witness this international event. This year – the thirtieth anniversary – promises to be a spectacle of record proportions. Around 60,000 people will descend on the capital of culture for the annual World of WearableArt awards showcase. During the two-hour extravaganza, they’ll be transported to another world that often defies gravity and always leaves jaws on the floor.
"A fabulous event that is equal part couture, choreography and craziness" Time Magazine
If you’d like to rub shoulders with some incredible minds and open your eyes to even more incredible possibilities, we know a place.
New Zealand. Together we can do amazing things.
