
Supreme WOW® Award
The most prestigious Award of all; given to the entry that the judges consider to be the most exceptional overall.
Winner receives NZD30,000
Runner-up receives NZD10,000
Credit: Diva’s Dreamscape, Peter Wakeman, New Zealand
The 2018 WOW Design Competition offers over $170,000 in prize money.
All prizes below are in New Zealand dollars.
Supreme WOW® Award
The most prestigious Award of all; given to the entry that the judges consider to be the most exceptional overall.
Winner receives NZD30,000
Runner-up receives NZD10,000
Credit: Diva’s Dreamscape, Peter Wakeman, New Zealand
Dame Suzie Moncrieff Award
Chosen by WOW Founder, Dame Suzie Moncrieff, as the garment that epitomises the WOW spirit.
Winner receives NZD5,000
Runner-up receives NZD1,000
Garment credit: Tradition Progress, Tsz Kwan Au, Hong Kong Design Institute, Hong Kong
Aotearoa, Avant-garde, Open, Reflective Surfaces and Under the Microscope:
First prize: NZD6,000
Second prize: NZD3,000
Third prize: NZD1,500
Bizarre Bra:
First prize: NZD4,000
Second prize: NZD2,000
Third prize: NZD1,000
Garment credit: Renascence, Yuru Ma & Siyu Fang, Donghua University, China
First-time Entrant Award
This award recognises the creativity and originality of an entry submitted by a first-time entrant.
Winner receives NZD5,000
Runner-up receives NZD1,000
Garment Credit: Brave New World, Ewelina Kosmal, Poland
Student Innovation Award
This award recognises an entry submitted by a current tertiary student or recent graduate.
Winner receives NZD5,000
Runner-up receives NZD1,000
Garment Credit: Kaleidoscope, Tess Tavener Hanks, Australia
Sustainability Award
This award recognises a designer who demonstrates inventive use of recycled materials in their garment. At least 85% of the garment must be made from recycled materials.
Winner receives NZD5,000
Runner-up receives NZD1,000
Garment Credit: Templa Mentis, Daniella Sasvari, New Zealand
Wearable Technology Award
This award recognises a designer that explores and applies the most original and innovative technology to the construction and/or function of their wearable art garment.
Winner receives NZD5,000
Runner-up receives NZD1,000
Garment Credit: Exotic, Qianwen Hong, Donghua University, China
New Zealand Design Award
Acknowledging the creativity and excellence of New Zealand designers.
Winner receives NZD5,000
Garment: Tinker, Jeff Thomson, New Zealand
International Awards
Acknowledging the creativity and excellence of international designers, a prize of NZD5,000 is awarded to the best international design from each of the following regions:
In addition, an overall international winner is selected and receives NZD6,000.
Weta Workshop Emerging Designer Award
Weta Workshop is a five-time Academy Award®-winning conceptual design and physical effects manufacturing facility that services the world’s creative industries. For over 20 years the Workshop has applied its creativity and craftsmanship to blockbuster films and hit television series including The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, King Kong, Avatar, The Chronicles of Narnia, District 9, Power Rangers, Chappie, Thunderbirds Are Go, Ghost in the Shell, Thor: Ragnarok and Blade Runner 2049 to name a few.
The winner of this Award is chosen by Sir Richard Taylor, co-founder and Creative Director of Weta Workshop, from across all categories of the competition. The winner will receive a cash prize of NZD5,000 and have the opportunity to complete a four-week internship at Weta Workshop, which includes flights from anywhere in the world to and from New Zealand plus accommodation in Wellington for up to four weeks.
Winner receives NZD5,000
Runner-up receives NZD1,000
Cirque du Soleil Invited Artisan Award
Chosen by a judge from Cirque du Soleil, this award is presented to an established designer whose entry demonstrates outstanding use of new techniques or technologies. The winner receives NZD5,000 and will undertake a four-week residency at Cirque du Soleil in Montreal, Canada. Flights from anywhere in the world and accommodation are included.