Awards & Prizes

The most prestigious award of all; given to the entry that the judges consider to be the most exceptional.

Chosen by WOW Founder, Dame Suzie Moncrieff, as the garment that epitomises the WOW spirit.

Recognising distinction in creativity and excellence in a New Zealand entry.

Recognising distinction in creativity and excellence in an international entry.

Aotearoa, Avant-garde, Open, Neon, Air, and Myths & Legends.

Hei whakamānawa i te hiranga o ngā toi Māori kua puāwai mai hei toi kākahu ahurei.  E riro ai tēnei tohu i tētehi Kaiwhakahoahoa, me whai whakapapa Māori ia.

The Toi Rākei Award recognises and celebrates excellence in Māori art, craft and design, when translated into an outstanding work of wearable art. To qualify for this award the Designer must whakapapa Māori (be of Māori descent).

This award is personally selected by Sir Richard Taylor, CEO and Creative Director of Wētā Workshop. The winner is offered the rare experience of spending up to four (4) weeks with the team inside the world renown Wētā Workshop. Winners of this award must demonstrate extreme creativity, obsessive attention to detail and craft, and demonstrate how to breathe character into wearable art. 

NZD$6,000, plus flights from anywhere in the world plus accommodation in Wellington for up to four weeks.

Recognises an entry that embraces circular economy principles by considering the life cycle of the garment from the design stage. The winning entry will exemplify how circular design drives sustainable solutions by:    

 - Being made from waste or renewable materials, and;  

 - Not becoming waste at the end of its use (that is, it can be disassembled to be practically reused, recycled, or returned to natural systems).

This award recognises the creativity and originality of an entry submitted by a first-time entrant. To qualify for the First-Time Entrant Award, all members of a design team must be first-time entrants.

This award recognises an entry submitted by a current tertiary student or recent graduate. To qualify for the Student Distinction Award, all members of a design team must be current tertiary students or have graduated within the 12 months before entering.

This award recognizes an entry that inspires awe using the element of surprise. This may be achieved through transformation, innovative design, performative elements or with the use of technology.

This award supports a designer through a professional development opportunity relating to their chosen field of creative practice. The award winner is selected on an application that outlines the designers’ creative or technical ambitions and presents an exciting opportunity to pursue professional development that can be applied to their wearable art practice.

The winner of this award is chosen by the show audience via an online voting system. The People’s Choice Award is announced after the conclusion of the show season.