WOW - World of WearableArt

In 2019, after a five-year journey overseas, our flagship exhibition that featured 32 award-winning garments returned to NZ.

Almost 650,000 people visited the exhibition in Australia, the United States and Russia.

It was a joy to showcase our incredible collection in front of fresh eyes and have new international audiences embrace our vision of wearable art. 

Where did we travel?

Here are some of the museums and institutes that hosted WOW’s International Touring Exhibition over the last five years: 

Auckland Museum, Auckland, New Zealand

Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville, Australia

Bishop Museum, Honolulu, HI

EMP Museum, Seattle, WA

Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA

Erarta Museum, St Petersburg, Russia

Fine Arts Center, Colorado Springs, CO

World of WearableArt Up Close | Ao KākahuToi – Kia Tata

Featuring 38 works of wearable art from around the world, World of WearableArt – Up Close showcases the most breath-taking creations from New Zealand’s very own World of WearableArt.

Discover the jaw-dropping detail and unconventional creativity of wearable art. From 500 abandoned music festival tents transformed into avant-garde works of art, to a wearable Axminster carpet inspired by Frida Kahlo, to a cathedral made from more than 2300 individually cut pieces of laser etched felt, learn about the unique stories behind the designs and be inspired as something WOW this way comes.

The exhibition runs 12 Dec 2020 – 14 Feb 2021.

WOW Up Close gave people the opportunity to experience World of WearableArt like never before.

World of WearableArt Up Close – A Theatrical Exhibition was a spectacular brand new experience created for all ages that translated the theatricality of the annual WOW Awards Show into an unforgettable immersive experience.