The World of Wearable Art Competition (WOW) is a globally recognized event where designers create extraordinary costumes and present them in a major annual contest. The event celebrates “wearable art,” a form of clothing designed primarily as artistic expression rather than for everyday fashion.
WOW invites artists and designers from all over the world to showcase their creativity. For more than 35 years, the breathtaking pieces created by finalists have been featured in the annual WOW Show held at TSB Arena in Wellington, New Zealand.
In 2023, the top honor—the Supreme WOW Award—was presented to Gill Saunders for her striking design titled “Earthling.” Scroll down to discover more of the incredible creations from this year’s competition!
More info: Instagram
01. Winner Of The Sustainability Award And Second Prize Award In The Open Section: “Tears Unseen”
Designer: Carena West, New Zealand
“Tears Unseen embodies the tears that go unnoticed, shed by women who are mothers and caregivers.”
02. Third Prize Award In The Mars And Beyond Section: “Entanglement”
Designer: Celia Ledon, United States
“A kind of breathing-aid war costume, inspired by a dystopian yet ethereal darkness.”
According to Sarah Nathan, Head of the World of Wearable Art Competition, the event provides a remarkable opportunity for creators to turn their imaginative ideas into reality. She explains that WOW finalists come from all over the world and represent a wide range of creative and technical fields.
The WOW designer community includes professionals and enthusiasts from many backgrounds—fashion and textile designers, industrial designers, jewelers, costume makers, architects, engineers, sculptors, painters, crafters, gardeners, doctors, and even boat builders. Nathan emphasizes that anyone can take part, as long as they bring a strong creative concept and a commitment to producing high-quality work.
03. Third Prize Award In The Aotearoa Section: “Rusalka”
Designer: Nikola Carouso, United Kingdom
“Fish-like bones speak to Maui’s fish and the marine life at the root of Aotearoa and its evolution and cultural development.”
“To see their vision come to life on stage through world-class performance at the WOW Show is incredibly rewarding and often emotional for WOW designers. The creative team and models pour immense passion and care into understanding the garments, their inspiration, and stories,” Nathan says.
04. Winner Of The International Design Award And The Gold Section: “Digital Ascension Of Kitsune”
Designer: Dawn Mostow and Snow Winters, United States
“The mischievous nine-tailed fox spirit, a thousand years old, ascends to digital heaven.”
05. Winner Of The International Design Award: Australia And Pacific: “Birth Of The Babel Fish”
Designer: Lynnette Griffiths and Marion Gaemers, Australia
“Regenerated life enfolds a queen as she births fluorescent Babel fish.”
“WOW was born from the idea of taking art off the wall and onto the moving body, and we see that year after year in the entries – both in terms of the visually striking and the important storytelling. We can’t wait to see what comes through for 2024.”
06. Third Prize Award In The Gold Section: “The Golden Chakra”
Designer: Akhilesh Gupta and Dimple Gandhi, India
“Inspired from the Chakras system that helps in finding inner peace.”
07. Second Prize Award In The Gold Section: “Seraph”
Designer: Sasha Wisniowski, Australia
“From the church’s opulence to the sun’s radiance, gold symbolizes the sacred.”
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