Welcome to the third Designers newsletter for 2003!
Thank you for your continuing feed back to these newsletters. They are designed to keep you informed and up to date on the latest happenings with WOW®.
We would love to hear from you any issues, including: · topics you would like to see covered · questions you would like answered · your suggestions Please contact heather@worldofwearableart.com.
Great Response to 2003 Shows
The 2003 Montana World of WearableArt™ Awards were again an outstanding success, with more than 17,500 people attending the Show for the extended season of two weekends and six nights. The data gathered for our independent Economic Impact Assessment study showed 60% were from outside the Nelson Region.
This shows the “pull” of the show to Nelson and the reach and exposure your designs receive.
For the first time, this year a post Premier show function for designers was held at “The Chez” giving everyone a chance to mix and mingle, network and celebrate. We hope to make this an annual feature. The Judge’s Lecture the following morning was again well attended. It is great for WOW® to get feedback and ideas for sections, and hear designer’s views on a range of issues.
The days between the two show weekends were also used to advantage. As part of WOW’s relationship with the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) a series of workshops were held at WOW & Collectable Cars as part of NMIT’s “Spring Creatively” programme. Susan Holmes, Andrea Clinton, Debra Price and Gillian Saunders ran these workshops, which were very popular. Their success has meant WOW® is already planning a similar event next year, and we would welcome any suggestions on guest designers and/or content and themes.
Shows Extend season again The success of the two weekend performances has meant a further extension to the show season for 2004. The show will run on Fri Sep 10/Sat Sep 11/Sun Sep 12 and then again on Thursday September 16, Frid Sep 17, Sat Sep 18 and Sun Sep 19.
Entry forms for 2004 Entry forms are being posted out now. If you have changed your address since we last contacted you, please let us know so we can ensure you receive one. The sections for 2004 are as follows: · Bowater Toyota Children’s · Tourism New Zealand Avant Garde · American Express Open · Air New Zealand South Pacific · Creative New Zealand Artistic Excellence · Port Nelson Illumination Illusion® - Black & White · Scenic Circle Bizarre Bra® And a welcome return to the highly successful Nelson City Council Reflective Surfaces Section. The introduction of this section in 2002 spawned the Supreme Winner – with Stuart Johnson’s creation Persephone’s Descent not only winning the section and Supreme Award, but also the Bernina Sewing Centre’s First time entrant Award.
Increase in Prize Money WOW® is to increase the prize pool in 2004. The total pool rises to $85,000 – making it one of the most lucrative “Art” competitions in the country. Section prizes will rise from $3500 to $5500. Each section winner will take home NZ$4000, with the designer of the highly commended entry receiving NZ$1000 and the Commended entry receiving NZ$500. WOW® will retain ownership of the Section Winner as part of the prize pool.
Ticket Sales 2004 Demand for tickets to the 2004 Montana WOW® Awards will again be high. Preferential tickets go on sale on 01 February 2004 – watch www.worldofwearableart.com for details. A block of seating is being held for designers for Premier Night (Friday September 10) until after preliminary judging in July. They will be allocated on a first in – first served basis. We suggest if you definitely intend to come to the Show that you book early before Judging to ensure that you get tickets.
Please mark Premier Night Friday September 10 in your diary.
Mainfreight Offer Mainfreight has again generously offered to provide Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch depots for designers to send/drop their 2004 entries into, to keep the costs of freight down. This worked well last year. We will advise more on this offer in the next newsletter.
Mini Shows WOW® has had further exposure since the September shows. Mini shows have been held for a variety of functions. A 15 minute mini show was held at Parliament for Asia 2000. It featured 10 kimonos from the inaugural Creative New Zealand Artistic Excellence section. Another was part of the Gala fundraising dinner for the Cholomendley Children’s Home in Christchurch, and a ten minute “walk through” was held at Te Papa for the international media who came to New Zealand for The Lord of the Rings – Return of the King world media premiere. This was also attended by the Prime Minister and other dignitaries.
Adopt a Garment The WearableArt Development Charitable Trust has successfully launched a new fundraising campaign called “Adopt a Garment” which provides members of the Nelson community with the opportunity to “adopt” a garment for the collection. This campaign allows the Charitable Trust to fundraise and purchase additional garments for this important collection and it also provides the Nelson community with the opportunity to support the Trust.
Garment donations from 2003 Montana WOW® Awards The WearableArt Development Charitable Trust is grateful to the designers who have donated their garments to the Trust’s collection. Andrea Clinton, Goldshmit Bhadra, and Hugvette Michel-Fleurie have all generously donated their 2003 entries to the Historic collection. Thank you very much!
New and Updated website WOW’s website is being updated and expanded. We expect the “new” version to be up and running before Christmas, and it will include a special section for designers which will be updated with information aimed specifically at you. Please add www.worldofwearableart.com to your favourites now.
WOW Gallery Change The seventh changeover to the WOW® Gallery at WOW & Collectable Cars features many garments from the 2003 Montana WOW® Awards. This is your chance to see the entries “up close and personal” and appreciate the skill and talent each requires. They can also act as a source of inspiration for 2004!
Seasons Greetings The team at WOW® wish you and your family a fabulous and safe Christmas and New Year – and we look forward to working with you in 2004.
For any designer queries please contact Heather Palmer or phone 0064 3 548 9299.
