2010 Sections

There are seven sections in 2010: Each section has NZ$8,000 worth of prize money (with the exception of Bizarre Bra).

Award Winner NZ$5,000, Runner Up NZ$2,000, Commended NZ$1,000

Please remember: Designers are responsible for ensuring their entry complies with copyright guidelines and that it does not infringe a third party’s intellectual property rights. WOW Ltd reserves the right to disqualify any entry which does not, in WOW’s opinion, conform to the guidelines, or which infringes a third party’s intellectual property. Please click here for specifc copyright details.

Grimm Furry Tales, Linda Darby Coring, Auckland Children's Section
Theme:
The Magic of Books

Create a work of WearableArt™ inspired by a book. Re-consider the stories, illustrations, and characters of your favourite traditional story tales and bring them to life. Consider the printed word and the structure of the book as well as inspiration from books such as art, biology, history, chemistry and medicine.

Punk Bird Family, Sean Purucker, USA

American Express Open Section

This section has no thematic boundaries and gives the designer complete freedom in concept, construction and materials. This section encourages a high degree of originality and innovation.

Into Thin Air, Marie Gant Roxburgh, Christchurch

CentrePort Illumination Illusion Section
Theme: Float, Fly, Flow

Using the illusion of UV light, create a garment to perform in and WOW the audience that appears to float, fly, or flow through space above the stage.

Consider the concept of the body in UV material or leave it hidden by blacking it out. Use attachments (e.g. black kite rod) to float objects away from the body or to create the illusion of flying and flowing. See the 2010 Entry Kit for full UV section entry details or for other information, click here.

Zebedee, Claire Prebble, Wellington Tourism New Zealand Avant Garde Section
Theme: Inspired by the Circus


Circus is a magic world inspiring all sorts of exciting colourful images. Consider the work of John Galliano, Jean Paul Gaultier, Viktor & Rolf, Manish Arora and Christian Lacroix. Use characters, colour and concepts of the circus to create a revolutionary avant garde garment.

Icarus, Rodney Leong, Auckland

Gen-i Creative Excellence Section
Theme: The Art of Light

Create a work of wearable art that enhances or alters its appearance when it self illuminates.

Ranging from a simple single light source illuminating the form of your work to using several lights to expose the qualities of materials that transmit or reflect light (e.g. plastics, foils, cloth). Use light that works with shape, texture, form or colour in your garment. Be playful with existing self powered light sources eg LED's Torches, Pen Lasers, Holographic paper, Light boxes, CCFI tubes or LED rope light, or create your own from scratch.

Opaque and Translucent plastics and fabrics can transmit light magically and effectively. Foils can reflect it back. Simplicity is the key.

For additional assistance, click here

Bizarre Bra Section

Though normally hidden, the bra has shown itself in past Montana WOW® Awards to have enormous potential for highly creative and witty reinvention. Garments must be bra only and not include accessories. Entry must be a bra that fits the breast, not a bustier.

Note: Award Winner NZ$4,000, Runner Up NZ$1,500, Commended NZ$750

Tidal Travellor, Rita Schrieken, Paraparaumu

Air New Zealand South Pacific Section

Gather inspiration from New Zealand’s rich Maori culture and the traditional cultures of our South Pacific neighbours. Celebrate what it is like to live in New Zealand and the South Pacific – the sea, beach, flora, fauna, birds, insects etc and the wide and wonderful personalities of our unique cultures.