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The WOW Competition

THE Wearable Art competition sits at the heart of WOW

2022 WOW Show
2017 WOW Show Finale
World Of WearableArt logo

We are

World of
WearableArt

Since it was established in 1987 WOW has embraced the worlds of art and design, running an international competition that culminates in a spectacular theatrical performance each year. The exhilarating WOW Show is a visual feast for audiences and an opportunity for designers to be recognised and celebrated on the world stage.

Open to all

From everywhere

The competition is open to anyone over 18, globally. Designers enter from the worlds of fashion, industrial design, architecture, art, and many more. Experienced designers, first time entrants, and students, all bringing exceptional creative concepts to life. Anything that is wearable art can find a place on the stage, as long as it is original, innovative, and well executed.

Meet the 2023

Competition Judges

Three rounds of closed judging determines the Finalist Garments for each year. The judging panel comprises WOW Founder and Resident Judge, Dame Suzie Moncrieff, and guest judges who are invited to be part of the panel.

Six worlds, six themes

Each year there are six section themes for designers to be inspired by when entering the competition. This includes three recurring sections; Aotearoa, Avant-garde and Open, and an additional three sections which are unique to each annual competition.

Aotearoa

Aotearoa

Avant-garde

Avant-garde

Open

Open

Crazy Curiosities of the Creature Carnival

Crazy Curiosities of the Creature Carnival

Natural World

Natural World

 Geometric Abstraction

 Geometric Abstraction

Awards & Prizes

Over $185,000
in Prize Money

The competition offers over 185,000 NZD in prize value. Up to 33 awards, including the coveted Supreme WOW Award, are awarded to finalist designers each year. Designers are also offered the opportunity to apply for exclusive residencies and internships with global creative companies; to learn and build on professional portfolios of work.

World of WearableArt

Supreme Winners

Wearable Art Archive

Each year, winners of the WOW Awards are added to an incredible collection of garments. Here you can browse through our digital collection of groundbreaking wearable art as previously seen on the WOW stage. You will read about the designers and the inspiration behind these stunning works of art and see their impressive awards and accolades.

Earthling
Gill Saunders
New Zealand
2023
Earthling celebrates the natural wonders of our planet in the form of an adult colouring book.
View Garment
Wanton Widow
Kate MacKenzie
New Zealand
2022
Like fragile china for display only, she morphs into the mediocre furniture bequeathed to her.
View Garment
The Lady Warrior
Rinaldy Yunardi
Indonesia
2019
The Lady Warrior seeks to honour the strength of all women, and was inspired by the designer’s own mother.
View Garment
close up of a hat
WAR sTOrY
Natasha English & Tatyanna Meharry
New Zealand
2018
Commemorating the story of WWI; stories & memories forging new pathways for our future generations.
View Garment
Encapsulate
Rinaldy Yunardi
Indonesia
2017
A fiercely beautiful cosmic guardian protects the light of hope within us, powered by love.
View Garment

Join our global

design community

Become part of an incredible and supportive international design community. Designers connect with us and each other through our exclusive online group and if you are chosen as a finalist, you are able to connect with other finalists both online and in person in exclusive forums and events.

WOW is a phenomenon. It inspires designers to be more <text-colour-gold>creative, to be bold and brilliant.<text-colour-gold> <text-colour-gold>And the designers, in turn, drive WOW to be more innovative, <text-colour-gold>more extensive and, generally, just more of everything.
"
"
Heather Palmer
WOW Ambassador