WOW - World of WearableArt
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The 2019 WOW Awards Show season
Thank you to everyone who joined us as we journeyed out of this world in 2019!
This year we invited you to explore the beauty and grandeur of a frozen land, dive into hidden realms where ancient monuments were waiting to be revealed and experience surreal landscapes that unfolded before you. All around the city WOW delighted Wellington with surprising creativity across retailers and restaurants and of course the Welly Loves WOW sign that shone in bright yellow on the Wellington waterfront.
2019 Award Winners
At the heart of World of WearableArt is the internationally renowned Awards Competition. This year works of wearable art were submitted from 43 countries and regions into the Competition, in July – at First Judging – an incredible 108 garments created by 115 designers representing 22 countries and regions were selected as finalists.
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2019 WOW Souvenir Programme
It’s not too late to take home a piece of the unimaginable and relive your experience with the 2019 WOW Souvenir Programme!
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The Souvenir Programme is the perfect accompaniment to the 2019 World of WearableArt Awards Show; featuring the full catalogue of this year’s breathtaking entries in the Competition, an opportunity to learn the journey that happens before the doors open with insights from the 2019 Creative Team behind the show, and much more about the wonderful worlds of WOW.
This beautiful guide is full of energy and creativity to match what you saw come to life on stage!
2019 Highlights
In 2019 we celebrated the 31st World of WearableArt Awards Show across a three week show season which attracted around 60,000 people, with many travelling from around New Zealand and the
world to attend the must-see annual event!
This year the 115 finalist designers were presented with six design provocations, which subsequently form the six worlds of the stage show. Three of these thematic worlds are recurring – Aotearoa, Avant-garde and Open, and three were new for 2019 – Mythology, Transform and White.
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What were you saying about the 2019 WOW Awards Show?
“It’s insane! The whole experience was just out of this world. It’s like beyond imagination.”
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“It is the most incredible, amazing spectacle you will ever see! It is just indescribable.”
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“This was one of the most unique shows I’ve seen. Thank you for a fantastic experience. My daughter barely waited for the end of the show to eagerly ask if we could return next year!”
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“Thank you for a dream night out. Brilliant world class show. Extraordinarily superb.”
2019 Supreme WOW Award Winner
The 2019 Supreme WOW Award winner was The Lady Warrior by Rinaldy Yunardi of Jakarta, Indonesia. Rinaldy created The Lady Warrior with the toughest warrior of all in mind – the woman. The Lady Warrior plays the role of daughter, wife and mother. She is about inner strength rather than brute physical strength.
“I used various mediums of materials to represent different elements of The Lady Warrior. Recycled paper made into rope and woven tightly together represents humanity and inner strength built from her experiences – she was born vulnerable but with life experiences she has strengthened and become strong”
What is the World of WearableArt?
World of WearableArt (WOW) is a unique combination of the world’s largest wearable art competition and a spectacular stage show held in Wellington, New Zealand. WOW attracts cutting-edge talent from across the globe, from the garment designers to the show’s dancers, aerialists, musicians and performers and the creative team which spends 18 months bringing each bespoke WOW Awards Season together.
World of WearableArt Awards Show is New Zealand’s largest theatrical production and is a not-to-be-missed event for around 60,000 people each year as well as a coveted competition for international designers working at the cutting edge of fashion, art, design and costume, alongside students and first-time entrants.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WORLD OF WEARABLEART
World of WearableArt Awards Competition
At the heart of the World of WearableArt, is the internationally renowned Awards Competition that attracts entries from over 40 countries each year. Anything that is wearable art can find a place on the stage, as long as it is original, innovative and well executed.
Entries are now officially open for the 2020 World of WearableArt Awards Competition! Bring us the world of your imagination and defy creative expectations in 2020.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE AWARDS COMPETITION
National WOW Museum
Opened in 2001 and situated in the birthplace of World of WearableArt, Nelson, New Zealand, the National WOW Museum showcases two very distinct collections that collide in a celebration of design, innovation and wonder.
The World of WearableArt is a testament to the imagination, with the current exhibition, 2018 World of WearableArt Exhibition showcasing finalist garments from the 2018 WOW Awards Show. In November 2019 this exhibition will update to feature the 2019 finalist and award-winning garments. The Classic Car Collection displays a stunning range of cars dating from 1908, all in immaculate condition.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE NATIONAL WOW MUSEUM
2020 WOW Awards Show Information
The 2020 World of WearableArt Awards Show will run from 24 September – 11 October 2020 at the TSB Arena, Wellington.
Keep an eye out for more about performance times and ticket information, including VIP Tables and hosting opportunities.
“Part Cirque du Soleil, part Broadway play, and part avant-garde couture show, New Zealand’s annual World of WearableArt Awards Show is, in a word, mesmerizing.”
Coveteur
