There are seven sections: Each section has NZ$8,000 worth of prize money (with the exception of the Shell Bizarre Bra Section);
Award Winner NZ$5,000 Runner Up NZ$2,000 Commended NZ$1,000
HP Children’s Section: Theme: “Reinvent/Reinterpret the TUTU”
Recreate the theatrical drama of the ballet TUTU turning inventive ideas & interesting materoals into a work of art to adorn the body.
Air New Zealand South Pacific Section:
Gather inspiration from New Zealand’s rich Maori culture and the traditional cultures of our South Pacific neighbours. Celebrate what it is like to live in New Zealand and the South Pacific – the sea, beach, flora, fauna, birds, insects etc and the wide and wonderful personalities of our unique cultures.
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.
Gather your inspiration from dance, theatre, puppetry, masks etc. and using the magic illusion of UV light to create a garment to perform in and WOW the audience.For example the body can be the focus by covering it in UV material or it can remain unseen by blacking it out. Use attachments (e.g. black painted kite rod)to float objects out from the body or to achieve the magic of revealing and concealing. Please note you may use up to three models per entry. Use any UV colour or just plain black and white. Self-lit garment are not permitted in this section. Entries must be made from materials/paints which glow in the dark under UV light - material suggestions: nylon, tulle, elastic, cotton, nylon lycra, acetate lining, UV spray paints etc. Note that blue UV spay paint sprayed lightly will resemble white. We suggest you purchase a black light bulb to enable you to view how your design looks under UV light.
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.
CentrePort Inspired By Architecture Section
Explore the connection between fashion & architecture using the body as the landscape. gather your inspiration from teh great architectural gurus e.g. Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, Rem Koolhaas or Fashion Designers e.g. Alexander McQueen, Hussein Chalayan, Issey Myake and Gareth Pugh. 'Google' these artists for inspiration. Look to the ancient world of architecture from Gothic to Greek or more recently Victorian to Art Deco. Be inspired by the indigenous cultures of the world, or create futuristic architectural concepts still to be built.
Shell Bizarre Bra Section
Though normally hidden, the bra has shown itself in past Montana WOW Awards to have enormous potential for highly creative and witty reinvention. Garments must be a bra only and not include accessories. Entry must be a bra that fits the breast, not a bustier. Bizarre Bra Award Winner: $4,000 Runner Up: $1,500 Commended: $750
