Find out what the WOW Judges are looking for

Judging Criteria

Originality and Innovation

Documental, Bethany Cordwell, Australia

The judges are looking for a garment that will surprise them and demonstrates design from a fresh perspective that they haven’t seen before. The judges are looking for exploration of an idea/concept and uniqueness of materials and design.

Concept

Clotho – the Goddess of Fate, Anna von Hartitzsch, United Kingdom

Does the garment meet the brief for the section it has been entered into? The garment must be a complete concept and clearly portray the designer’s interpretation of the section theme.

Quality of Construction

Wanton Widow, Kate MacKenzie, New Zealand

A high standard of workmanship is essential. The garment finish should be immaculate, inside and out. Your garment should look as good up close, as it does from a distance. Garments may be worn multiple times and need to accommodate easy movement as well as being strong enough to cope with choreography.

Health and Safety

Resilience, Monica Ivena, Indonesia

Judges will consider whether a garment is safe for a model to wear and perform in. Models must be able to see clearly and breathe easily whilst onstage under stage lighting. Garment weight must be evenly distributed so the garment is comfortable to perform in. All footwear must be robust, well-balanced, and safe for a model to wear.

Performance Potential

The Messenger, Dawn Mostow & Lana Crooks, United States

Judges will consider how a garment will look on stage with choreography and lighting.

The Judging Process

Finalist garments are first selected and then judged through a two stage judging process.

Finalist Selection: Garments are first chosen in an online Preliminary Selection stage based on video and photography, and the garment narrative and construction information. Designer name and country is not revealed to the selection panel. Entries chosen at Preliminary Selection have a high chance of becoming finalists. The chosen garments are invited to be sent to WOW in Nelson for assessment. Final Selection (previously known as First Judging) is where garments are assessed across several criteria and, if they meet the standard, they are verified as a Finalist.

Judging: Award-winners are identified through two rounds of closed judging. Closed judging means that the judges are aware of the garment name, and the inspiration behind the work of art, however the designers’ details are not disclosed.

First is Preliminary Judging, which happens in Wellington once the garments have been assigned to their WOW model. Judges see the garment up close and on stage with choreography. The Final judging occurs just before the opening of the show and Awards Night. Garments are seen on stage with full show lighting, music and performers. Awards are finalised at this stage and Final Judging determines the Supreme Winner.

Meet the judgING PANEL

Each year prizes are awarded through two rounds of closed judging. The judging panel is led by WOW Founder and Resident Judge, Dame Suzie Moncrieff, and joined by an esteemed selection of guest judges representing excellence across art, design, fashion, and culture.

Dame Suzie Moncrieff

Resident Judge

Creator and founder of the original WOW concept, Dame Suzie Moncrieff staged the first WOW Show in Nelson in 1987 as a promotion for a rural art gallery, based on her vision to take art off the wall and exhibit it as a live theatrical show.

Dame Suzie Moncrieff has personally received several awards for her achievements and contribution to the arts. She was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 1998 and made a Dame in the 2011 New Year’s Honours.

Virginia Leonard

Guest Judge

Renowned New Zealand ceramic sculptor whose distinctive work is exhibited internationally and held in prestigious collections around the world. She has received multiple awards, including residencies in Finland, Italy, France, and Denmark. Leonard’s practice is autobiographical. Working with clay allows her to explore the complexities of living with chronic pain and trauma. Her sculptures give voice to physical and psychological struggle, transforming it into works that are both raw and resplendently ornate.

Lindah Lepou

Guest Judge

An acclaimed multidimensional fa’afafine artist and fashion designer, Lindah created the brand and concept - Pacific Couture - a transformative movement inspired by French haute couture but grounded in her own Samoan, Scottish, and European heritage, AITU mythology, and whakapapa. Widely awarded across both art and fashion worlds, she champions a philosophy of “making the most of what you have right now,” inspiring creatives to think outside the box and build sustainable, independent practices rooted in culture and innovation.

Karl Chitham

Te Uriroroi, Ngā Puhi
Toi Rākei Judge

Karl is Head of Arts & Culture for Hutt City Council and director of The Dowse Art Museum. He has written for multiple arts publications including co-authoring Crafting Aotearoa: A Cultural History of New Zealand and the Wider Moana Oceania. He is a celebrated curator and has contributed to many exhibition publications including Whetūrangitia/Made As Stars. He is a trustee of Wairau Māori Art Gallery, the first dedicated public Māori art gallery in Aotearoa.

Isaac Te Awa

Ngāpuhi, Kāti Māmoe, Kai Tahu, Waitaha
Toi Rākei Judge

With diverse interests across te ao Māori, Isaac is a curator at Te Papa Tongarewa – Museum of New Zealand where he applies his passion for reconnecting taonga to their people, places, and communities. He is an active practitioner of both Māori weaving and carving, with a special interest in the revival and documentation of traditional knowledges, techniques, and their practice. He is an accomplished author, most recently co-editing the book "Flora: Celebrating Our Natural World."

Sir Richard Taylor

Wētā Workshop Outstanding Design Award Judge

Sir Richard Taylor is the CEO and Chief Creative Officer of artisan studio Wētā Workshop. He loves to see the range of garments that come into the Competition each year, all of them displaying originality, craftsmanship, clever use of materials and a core idea from within the design that shares a story with the audience.

Sir Richard Taylor will present the Wētā Workshop Outstanding Designer Award; the winning designer receives NZ$6,000 plus the opportunity to complete an internship at Wētā Workshop which includes flights from anywhere in the world and accommodation in Wellington for up to four weeks.