2023

Six worlds, six themes

Each year there are six section themes for designers to be inspired by when entering the competition. This includes three recurring sections; Aotearoa, Avant-garde and Open, and an additional three sections which are unique to each annual competition.

Child Section - Figments of Imagination

Child Section - Figments of Imagination 2027

Black White

Black White 2027

Aotearoa

Aotearoa 2027

Avant-garde

Avant-garde-2027

Open

Open 2027
Echoplex – Goddess of Reverb, Natalie Hutton, Australia Cube, Adam McAlaveyEchoplex – Goddess of Reverb, Natalie Hutton, Australia Cube, Adam McAlaveyEchoplex – Goddess of Reverb, Natalie Hutton, Australia Cube, Adam McAlavey
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2023 WOW Show, Aotearoa Section
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2023 WOW Show, Avant-garde Section featuring Jaxson Cook
Supreme winner icon

Supreme winner

Earthling

Gill Saunders

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New Zealand

Earthling is the third and final piece in a wearable art trilogy by Saunders and takes its inspiration from the rising popularity of adult colouring book. Promoting mindfulness in a “world under increasing stress”, Earthling celebrates earth’s natural wonders in a fun, vibrant, and beautifully crafted garment made from EVA foam, acrylic paint, and wire.

Art Trilogy by Gill Saunders contains certain design elements inspired by Mexican culture and traditions and the designer acknowledges the traditional heritage of these elements. The works also include design influences from other global cultures; notably Egyptian, Japanese, Greek and other European countries, as well as Norse mythology and natural world elements

WOW and the designer of the 'Art Trilogy', Gill Saunders, apologise for failing to initially acknowledge that certain design elements included in this series of work are inspired by Mexican culture and traditions. Read WOW’s 2025 Cultural Guidelines for Designers.

Earthling, Gill Saunders, New Zealand

Creative Team

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2023 Designers

This year's designers

Cast & Crew

This year's crew

2023 section themes

Six worlds, six themes

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Open

Waste Mountain, Jessie Curry, London College of Fashion, United Kingdom

Aotearoa

Wellington 'The Skin I Am In', Katherine Bertram, New Zealand

Bizarre Bra

Mars & Beyond

Gold

2023 Award winners

International Design Award: United Kingdom & Europe

Winner

Metamorphosis

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United Kingdom

Juliet Dodson
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United Kingdom
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Wētā Workshop Emerging Designer Award

Winner

SAMURAI Girl

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Japan

Chiaki Shimizu
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Japan
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