The World of WearableArt or WOW, is an international design competition, held annually in Wellington, New Zealand. It attracts entries from over 40 countries and draws massive crowds of more than 60,000. For designers it is an incredible platform to unleash their creativity.
I got hooked on WOW back in 2005, after attending the show in Nelson. It was like nothing I had ever seen before and I just knew I had to be part of it. I had just started my bag business the year before, so maybe that gave me the confidence to give it a go. And here I am, 20 years later, still balancing WOW with my bag business. It has been a challenge, especially as the business grew and became full time, but I'm proud to say I've managed to enter every single year. WOW is like a bug that bites you and never lets go! As soon as one show ends, your mind starts racing with thoughts of next year's show. It's become quite the addiction, but one that I proudly embrace.
My WOW experience has had its highs and lows. Endless hours of effort go into creating a garment, but you don’t know until after the first round of judging whether it has made it into the show. It is super disappointing if it hasn’t, but when it does, it's mind-blowing! And it is an incredibly special feeling seeing it up on the stage.
WOW has pushed me to push myself, to experiment with materials and techniques I never would have tried otherwise. At first, I relied on my sewing skills for my creations, but then I realised I needed a break from sewing after working on bags all day. That pushed me to explore other materials, and I discovered a love for working with hard materials such as copper and fiberglass. It has compelled me to learn new skills and grow as a designer.
And honestly, one of the very best parts of this whole journey has been the friendships. Meeting up with fellow designers each year for Designers Week is a highlight, but even more special is our local little group we call the “Pow Wows.” We meet often for support, encouragement, and creative banter and I truly wouldn’t have kept going without them. They’ve made this wild ride even more meaningful.
The photos that follow are just a few of my favourite garments I've created over the years, each one holds a memory, a challenge overcome, or a new technique discovered.
I’ve also added a link to the WOW Award Winners archive on the World of WearableArt website. It’s an inspiring collection that gives you a real sense of the creativity and diversity in the show over the years. WOW archive
And if any of it sparks something in you and you're thinking you might like to give WOW a go, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d be more than happy to answer any questions or share what I’ve learned along the way.
