B. Åkerlund at the WOW Show in 2019

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We are thrilled to announce that Los Angeles-based fashion activist and celebrity stylist B. Åkerlund will be in Wellington to join the judging panel for this year’s World of WearableArt (WOW) Show and present the inaugural The Residency Experience Award.

Earlier this year, we launched a new partnership with The Residency Experience and introduced The Residency Experience Award to our list of awards and prizes in the Competition. Co-founded by B. Åkerlund and Kent Belden, The Residency Experience is a full service public relations agency that specializes in celebrity and editorial outreach. The Residency Experience collaborates with celebrity stylists, editors, costume designers and influencers. Services include celebrity placement, print and digital editorial placement, and generating social media content.

Just last month, The Residency Experience dressed superstars Cardi B, Zendaya, Laverne Cox and Janelle Monáe for the prestigious 2019 Met Gala.

A fashion industry veteran with over 20 years’ experience, Åkerlund’s talents transcend all barriers. She is a stylist, creative director and costume designer, moving between all forms of art including fashion, film and music. Her resume reads like a who’s who of Hollywood, having worked on iconic music videos and live performances with celebrities including Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Madonna, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry!

"I am so excited to be joining the team at the World of WearableArt as a judge this year as my true passion is exploring and discovering emerging talent. I thrive on avant-garde fashion and the World of WearableArt is definitely a forefront for amazing talent. It is an honour to be a judge and I am looking forward to discovering the next big thing," says B. Åkerlund.

All of us here at World of WearableArt are incredibly excited to welcome B. to the world of World of WearableArt later this year in Wellington:

"We share so many of the same creative values and to have B. judging the work of our designers is a real thrill. It has been a dream of mine for some time that we would be able to offer our designers the opportunity to win an award of this nature and so establishing this new partnership with B. and Kent from The Residency Experience is something very special," says Heather Palmer, Competition Director.