Competition

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2024 Section Themes

Each year there are six section themes or ‘worlds’ for designers to be inspired by when entering the WOW Competition. This includes three recurring sections; Aotearoa, Avant-garde and Open, plus three unique themes which are announced each year.

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X-Ray, Lyndal Linton, Brett Linton & Harvey Linton, New Zealand

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X-Ray, Lyndal Linton, Brett Linton & Harvey Linton, New Zealand

 Geometric Abstraction

Natural World

Crazy Curiosities of the Creature Carnival

Wellington 'The Skin I Am In', Katherine Bertram, New Zealand

Aotearoa

Avant-garde

Waste Mountain, Jessie Curry, London College of Fashion, United Kingdom

Open

 Geometric Abstraction

This world is inhabited by geometric forms created from the relationship between lines, angles, and surfaces such as rectangles, circles, squares, or triangles.

It could also be populated by optical art that gives the illusions of movement by the precise use of pattern and colour in contrast causing flashing and vibrating patterns, swelling, and warping seeing hidden images.

Create a work of wearable art that uses either geometric abstraction or optical art or combine the two.

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Natural World

Throughout time artists have been inspired by nature as the muse or motivation to create. Enter this vast, spectacular world and its infinite variety of wonder and inspiration.  From the tiny world of insects to flora and fauna landscapes and geological formations.

Harness the elements of wind, air, water, earth or fire to create a work of wearable art that encompasses the wonders of nature.

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Crazy Curiosities of the Creature Carnival

Strange, surreal characters meet in a world without time.  A dimension where dreams and nightmares come to life. From the bizarre to the beautiful, and mysterious to the grotesque.

Create a garment that crosses the boundaries of wearable art.

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Aotearoa

Aotearoa New Zealand is a proud nation with a rich and diverse blend of cultures, peoples and customs. Ngā tangata Māori (Māori people) are te tangata whenua (the first people of this land).

Reach into your unique connection, perspectives, original creativity and imagination to tell a story of your personal relationship with Aotearoa New Zealand. Be inspired by the breathtaking beauty of te taiao Aotearoa (New Zealand’s natural environment), honour culture and history, embrace your aspirations for the future of this wonderful land and its people.

See Examples

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Avant-garde

Take the concept of fashion and push the limitations. Explore a world that is experimental, radical, and unorthodox. Create a work of art that is forward thinking, unconventional and explores new forms of structure and design.

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See Examples

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Open

A world with no thematic boundaries. Giving you freedom to explore and create your own design. The only limit is your own imagination.

See Examples

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What judges look for

At the epicentre of WOW’s universe is an international wearable art competition that challenges artists and designers from all around the world to take art off the wall and onto the human form. The most innovative and outstanding entries are chosen to appear on stage as part of the annual World of WearableArt Show.

Learn more

Science Fiction, Fifi Colston, New Zealand

The Organ Farmer, Fifi Colston, New Zealand and Sir Richard Taylor

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Keep Reading

Awards & Prizes

The World of WearableArt Awards offer over $185,000 in prize value. Learn about the wide range of prizes and awards that you can apply for.

Designer resources

Find a library of resources including useful blogs and videos, tips, and advice from the WOW team on garment photography, guidelines for electrics, packing your garment, and more.