2024 Tall Poppy People’s Choice Award Winner

Content Hub

Discover the World of WearableArt through our content hub.

Competition

Garments

Resources

Te Ao Mārama captured the hearts of show audience and has been announced the winner of the Tall Poppy People’s Choice Award for 2024.

Created over six months by sisters Lauren Kidd and Frances Kidd (Ngāti Toa Rangatira), Te Ao Mārama was inspired by, and a tribute to their late father, an artist known for his stained-glass works.

Te Ao Mārama, Lauren Kidd & Frances Kidd, New Zealand

Crafted from painted silk, glass, lighting cable and lights, Te Ao Mārama represents the story of Papatūānuku (earth mother), and Tāwhirimātea’s (god of the weather) journey to be with his father (Ranginui) in the sky.

Both full-time teachers, — Lauren as Head of English at Motueka High School and Frances at Mapua Primary School - the duo were also awarded third place in the Aotearoa section.

“Our dad passed away three years ago. While cleaning up his things, we found many of his designs, most of which were native birds which he loved, so we felt it was a beautiful way to pay tribute to him,” Lauren says.

Reflecting on their win, Lauren and Frances are both overwhelmed and humbled.

“The whole experience is incredible. After meeting all the designers and seeing their works, we truly understand the time and effort that goes into creating these garments. Our piece came from a meaningful place, and we’re so pleased that the audience enjoyed it too."

“The lighting element played a crucial role in our design, embodying the concept of illumination from darkness. This is reflected in the garment's title, Te Ao Mārama, meaning ‘out of the darkness there is light’.”

2024 is the first year of Tall Poppy’s naming rights sponsorship of the People’s Choice Award. Tall Poppy CEO Mike Seymour commented,

“We congratulate Lauren Kidd and Frances Kidd on this incredible recognition of the connection their work has made with WOW guests. Bringing our Tall Poppy team into the world of WOW has been a privilege, and sponsoring the Tall Poppy People’s Choice Award felt like a bit of a full-circle moment to our award-winning team. WOW shows us there is still an abundance of creativity and positivity in Aotearoa at a time we really need it. It’s been fantastic to see visitors flock to appreciate the incredible talent on display, and to then see this massive audience engagement reaching beyond the show.”

The lucky audience member who also won $2,500 prize money for voting in the Tall Poppy People’s Choice Award was Debbie K from Gisborne.