From bicycle helmets to old mattresses, designer Tatiana Sheverda creates from a range of materials.

We caught up with Australian WOW Designer, Tatiana Sheverda after the 2024 WOW Award ceremony to discuss her vibrant WOW process - "For me it's an outlet - I can really get creative because I'm trying to work with non-fabrics."

Interviewer: Tatiana, how are you feeling today? ‍

Tatiana: I wake up and think, today is going to be a good day - but today is a good day because I won something!

Interviewer: How was Awards for you last night?

Tatiana: Oh, it was exciting. And like, I was a bit nervous. And honestly, I won for something I did not expect to win. So, because I had two pieces in, and I was counting on one and the other one took the prize. So, like, okay, so I wasn’t really prepared for that section. I’m like oh, oh, it is me.

I think I’m more happy that I actually got to wear my beautiful outfit than the prize. So, everybody could see it. I could wear it on the stage. Yes, that was a bonus.

2024 WOW Awards Ceremony - Tatiana Steverda winning Geometric Abstraction Section Second Prize for Aromakratia

Interviewer: What was it like seeing your garments on stage for the first time?

Tatiana: Well, first time was 2022 when I saw my first WOW garment on the stage and it was surreal. I think that’s a highlight of WOW and it’s one of the main reasons I entered because it’s unique settings when you see your garment in it.

There’s a lot of wearable art competitions, but there is nothing at that level for such a level of production and seeing your piece be a part of something like yesterday (Awards Night). I first watched it on Thursday (Preview Night) actually, I always watch twice because I think the one time is just not enough. I get distracted by one piece and I miss another too and I’m like oh yeah oh damn it.

I was feeling so proud because I contributed to this magnificent event in a way, in my humble way, but I'm part of it and that, that’s very satisfying.

Interviewer: What motivates you to enter a competition like WOW?

Tatiana: It gives me an outlet because I work for bridal house, so I make wedding dresses, which is already really exciting. But then I don’t like white colour because I'm a colour person. So, I started making like my fashion which is always colourful. My fashion has always been a bit OTT. Like people say, ‘it’s fancy outfit’. No, I wear it to work!

I started making costumes and I was going out a lot, like festivals and party events, like special awards, I started making costume outfits for that, for myself and sometime by order if I had time for it. And that was kind of a creative outlet for me to do things. But then I will grow on that too because I'm already pushing the boundaries there. There is so much you can do with something you can wear. And I want to experiment more, I want more creative range. One of my friends, who entered WOW a few times, she kept going, try this one, I’m like, I not sure I'm ready. Then in 2019, I decided, I’m gonna go and watch the show and see what I’m signing up for. So, yes, that’s how it all started.

So, for me, it’s an outlet, I can really get creative because I’m trying to work with non-fabrics most of the time. I’m learning what it’s like to use a helmet piece, or I had to use fiberglass or I just glue, figure out what glue works and all that sort of stuff, which I never done before, so it’s a learning curve and I do love it.

I try to do every piece with a different material, not repeating the materials I want to explore. I have a short life, and I want to try so many things!

I can’t even go out partying wearing these garments because the crowd is going to destroy it, you know what I mean? So, I need the outlet to show them so that people can enjoy it, and WOW’s the perfect outlet for that. And the setting! You just can’t ask for the better.

And the third reason, I want to win. I am going to win this.

Aromakratia, Tatiana Sheverda, Australia

Interviewer: What is great wearable art to you?

Tatiana: Good question. To me, I think it’s something impressive visually. So, it has to look incredible on a stage as a performance piece. But it goes deeper, it needs to have a lot of detail in very quality making. A lot of embellishment, like attention to details. Because I think that’s what sets it apart, visuals is one thing but then you get close to it, that’s what I noticed about WOW. Again, I’ve been to quite a few like wearable art things and a lot of pieces quite crafty which is how you start from, you start from simple things and then you grow the quality of things but when I came in 2019 I looked at the pieces I’m like okay this is a quality I'm expected to provide so I have to watch that like so I can’t be happy with it just it looking great on stage.

Interviewer: What would you say to anyone thinking of entering WOW for the first time?

Tatiana: Don’t think you can’t do it is the most important thing but do your research. As I said, I came in 2019 to watch because you need to know what you’re getting into. But it doesn’t mean you can’t enter. Any level can. You just have to put more effort in, and you have to match the level.

Interviewer: What’s next for you?

Tatiana: Well, I'm hoping I can do it. I’m yet to win, so, I’m coming back guys. I’m going to come after you until I do. I’m stubborn as. That’s one of my best qualities. I’m going to be entering next year.

I fell in love and I’m glad you announced the themes early to get me already thinking about things. I really like the idea of ‘Air’ as it is going to be a challenge for me because my pieces are mostly a bit rigid, they’re not that sort of flow. So, that’s going to be a bit of a challenge, which I do like. I love to challenge myself.