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Wanton Widow

Designer:
Kate MacKenzie
,
New Zealand

Like fragile china for display only, she morphs into the mediocre furniture bequeathed to her.

Year
2022
Section Theme
University
Winner of the Award
Supreme WOW Award
Winner of the Award
Open Section
Wanton Widow, Kate MacKenzie, New Zealand
Wanton Widow, Kate MacKenzie, New Zealand

About the garment

Wanton Widow examines the vast differences between rich and poor in the Victorian age and asks us to think about its relevance today. 

The China cabinet represents the rich as it was a means for displaying ones’ wealth. The singer sewing machine represents the working class and the poor. 

The designer, Kate, wanted this garment to represent the dark and drab of the era - something that looked like it had been in a cupboard all this time and dragged out for the show. Something that represented the industrial, working to middle class.

The MAterials

Wooden furniture, fabric and lining paper.

Garment Video

No items found.

Garment in the making

No items found.

Garment in the making

The Designer

Name
Kate MacKenzie
Country
New Zealand
University
Background

A self-taught award-winning painter and artist, Kate’s work often reflects paradigms of changing societal beliefs and mindsets. Kate's oil on canvas paintings are sold and exhibited throughout NZ and Australia. Her artwork merges emblems of her thoughts and concerns for the world including changing paradigms in societal beliefs and mindsets with reference to environmental awareness and changing technology.

Judges comments

This garment feels so unexpected and surprising in terms of materials that the designer has used. We are in awe of the designer’s resourcefulness in use of the vintage china cabinet and Singer sewing machine drawers. It perfectly captures what we mean when we say wearable art. It is refined, sculptural and tells a story.
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