Each year there are six section themes or ‘worlds’ for designers to be inspired by when entering the WOW Competition. This includes three recurring sections; Aotearoa, Avant-garde and Open, plus three unique themes which are announced each year.
.avif)

Geometric Abstraction

Natural World

Crazy Curiosities of the Creature Carnival
Geometric Abstraction
This world is inhabited by geometric forms created from the relationship between lines, angles, and surfaces such as rectangles, circles, squares, or triangles.
It could also be populated by optical art that gives the illusions of movement by the precise use of pattern and colour in contrast causing flashing and vibrating patterns, swelling, and warping seeing hidden images.
Create a work of wearable art that uses either geometric abstraction or optical art or combine the two.
Natural World
Throughout time artists have been inspired by nature as the muse or motivation to create. Enter this vast, spectacular world and its infinite variety of wonder and inspiration. From the tiny world of insects to flora and fauna landscapes and geological formations.
Harness the elements of wind, air, water, earth or fire to create a work of wearable art that encompasses the wonders of nature.
Cultural guidelines
When considering an entry design that represents the culture or lived experience of others, it is important to do so in ways that are meaningful, authentic, respectful and thoughtfully considered. To assist in this we have provided a set of Cultural Guidelines. We also offer further guidelines to support you when being inspired by elements of Māori Culture.
What judges look for
At the epicentre of WOW’s universe is an international wearable art competition that challenges artists and designers from all around the world to take art off the wall and onto the human form. The most innovative and outstanding entries are chosen to appear on stage as part of the annual World of WearableArt Show.




.avif)







.avif)

.avif)


%202.avif)
%202.avif)
%2024.avif)
%207.avif)
%2028.avif)












.avif)














%20(1).avif)
.avif)









.avif)






.avif)
.avif)











.avif)


%2C-Christopher-Davis%2C-New-Zealand.avif)
%2C-Christopher-Davis%2C-New-Zealand.jpg)

-H.avif)









.avif)





















.avif)



























.avif)



_HR.avif)













.avif)







.avif)











.avif)










.avif)
.avif)









.avif)













.avif)



.avif)