Unprecedented International Designer Interest in Montana WOW® Awards
New Zealand’s iconic cultural event, the annual Montana World of WearableArt™ (WOW®) Awards Show has attracted unprecedented interest from overseas designers.
Entries for the September shows in Wellington closed recently, with 54 received from designers from as far afield as UAE, Japan, India, Germany, Iceland, Thailand and the USA.
High interest from Indian designers is a direct result of a lecture tour of India late last year by WOW® directors Suzie Moncrieff and Heather Palmer. In conjunction with Tourism New Zealand and the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) the pair visited various design schools to explain the WOW® concept of ‘taking art off the wall to adorn the moving body’™ resulting in no fewer than 16 entries from Indian designers.
Following the attendance of Indian journalists, the annual Montana WOW® Awards Shows have attracted wide media interest, featuring in various Indian publications over recent years.
Thailand also continues to show tremendous support for the event, with 36 entries submitted this year. Thai designers have had great success in the last two years, winning a number of major awards. WOW® has also developed a relationship with various Thai Design Schools, which actively encourage their students to enter the Awards.
A total of 298 entries have been received for the 2006 Montana WOW® Awards, with preliminary Judging being held in Nelson on July 8/9. This process decides which of the entries will make it to the stage in September. Following the Judging process, each garment is then individually choreographed into a unique performance piece.
The selected garments will then be showcased in the annual theatrical extravaganza over seven themed sections, interwoven with every facet of performance, from music, dance, lighting and theatre to comedy.
The 2006 Montana WOW® Awards open at the Events Centre in Wellington on Thursday September 21.
For more information contact: Heather Palmer Competition Director World of WearableArt™ Ltd DDI 03 547 0861 Email heather@worldofwearableart.com
