2009 Sections

There are seven sections in 2009: Each section has NZ$8,000 worth of prize money.

Award Winner NZ$5,000, Runner Up NZ$2,000, Commended NZ$1,000

Children's Section-Theme: At the Bottom of the Garden
Gather your inspiration from flora and fauna, insects and ornaments, myths and legends and create a work of art for a child to wear.

American Express Open Section
This section has no thematic boundaries and gives the designer complete freedom in concept, construction and materials. This section encourages a high degree of originality and innovation.

CentrePort Illumination Illusion Section-Theme: Float, Fly, Flow
Using the illusion of UV light, create a garment to perform in and WOW the audience that appears to float, fly, or flow through space above the stage.

Consider the concept of the body in UV material or leave it hidden by blacking it out. Use attachments (e.g. black kite rod) to float objects away from the body or to create the illusion of flying and flowing. See the full 2009 Entry Kit for full UV section entry details.

 

Tourism New Zealand Avant Garde Section
Art and fashion collide head on! Create WearableArt garments that are revolutionary, extravagant and extrovert, but still stylish and made with skill. Be driven by dreams and fantasies, not commercial reality.

AT&T 'Fold' Section
The designer is encouraged to engage with 'the transformation of the flat surface' through folding, to emerge as a sculptural WearableArt garment. Explore how folding can be used to design forms from hard or soft materials. Bend, crease, crimp, crinkle, drape, groove, layer, loop, overlap, plait, pleat, ply, pucker and wrinkle.

NB: Paper as a material is not encouraged due to its fragile nature, unless it is substantially strengthened at its stress points. Remember that garments are worn up to 15 times.

Shell Man Unleashed Section-Theme: Magnificent Men
From the mad inventions of the 16th century to the flamboyance of the Renaissance. Einstein meets Haute Couture. From fanciful to futuristic, funky to fun. Take men out of today's drab fashions and transform them into artrageous splendour.
  Air New Zealand South Pacific Section-Theme: Patterns of the Pacific.
Gather your inspiration from patterns, carvings, tattoos, symbols, weavings and fabrics that have evolved from New Zealand's rich maori culture and the traditional cultures of our South Pacific neighbours and consider how this is transferred into our contemporary cultures. Consider art works from maori and pacific artists for example Michel Tuffery, Ralph Hotere, Cliff Whiting and Robyn Kahukiwa.