Over-dressing for the Sevens is a serious business, and this year the fashion stakes have been raised with the Montana World of WearableArt Awards helping to launch the event.
Past WOW winners, including garments created from rugby balls, were modelled at the Mayoral launch of the AXA New Zealand International Sevens last night. Today, Wellington’s own brand of football fashion will hit the streets with the Sevens Street Parade through Downtown.
Positively Wellington Tourism’s Chief Executive, Tim Cossar, said New Zealand’s creative capital – and new home to the WOW Awards - was the perfect city to host the most colourful leg of the Sevens Series.
“Getting dressed-up for the Sevens is something of a tradition here and I can’t imagine any other city in the world taking it to the extremes Wellington is famous for.”
Downtown Wellington retailers have also caught Sevens fever, dressing their store windows as part of a Window Dressing Competition run by Positively Wellington Tourism. He estimated the Sevens, which has been secured for Wellington until 2006, would pump millions into the local economy over the next four days.
Tournament Chief Executive, Steve Dunbar, said the two-day sporting event was shaping up to be one of the most successful yet.
“I can’t predict who will win the games, but I can predict what the atmosphere is going to be like. Everyone gets into the spirit of the Sevens, the whole city gets behind it. It’s a sporting and party highlight of the year.”
Wellington City Mayor, Kerry Prendergast said the city was proud to host events like the Sevens and WOW, later in the year.
“These events are fantastic for Wellington. They provide significant economic advantages for the city, and they’re wonderful fun for locals and visitors.
“It’s great to see two of our iconic events, the Sevens and WOW, working together too. Whoever said sport and art aren’t natural friends should come to Wellington this weekend.”
WOW spokesperson Heather Palmer said she was thrilled WOW could help launch the Sevens.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to work with a very Wellington event in the year the first WOW is held in the capital.
“WOW is about creativity, art, fashion, performance and humour. The Sevens in Wellington has a lot of those elements too - particularly humour - so it’s a great fit.”
This year’s Montana WOW Awards will be held at the Events Centre Wellington, opening on September 23. Further performances will be staged on September 24, 25 and 30, and October 1 and 2. General ticket sales will begin on March 16.
For more information contact: Chloe Groser Communications Manager, Positively Wellington Tourism DDI 04 916 1211 / Chloe.Groser@WellingtonNZ.com
Or visit Wellington’s official tourism website, WellingtonNZ.com
Or
Di O’Connell Media Manager, AXA New Zealand International Sevens Mobile 0274-636-230
