Multiple Deadlines [ONLINE]
INTERNATIONAL DESIGNERS DEADLINE:
INTERNATIONAL DESIGNERS DEADLINE:
Intention to enter: February 26, 2024
Entries close for pre-selection: March 1, 2024
NEW ZEALAND DESIGNERS DEADLINE:
Intention to enter: April 24, 2024
Intention to enter: April 24, 2024
Entries close for pre-selection: May 1, 2024
World of WearableArt™ (WOW) Competition
TSB Arena
Queens Wharf, Wellington, New Zealand
25 September - 13 October 2024
TSB Arena
Queens Wharf, Wellington, New Zealand
25 September - 13 October 2024
WOW invites designers and creators from around the globe to challenge the conventional, create the unimaginable, defy creative expectations and enchant the world with an extraordinary garment. For over 35 years, finalists' wonderful works of art have come to life in the spectacular annual WOW Show, held in Wellington, New Zealand - and attracting delighted audiences of around 60,000 people.
WOW Head of Competition, Sarah Nathan, describes the event as the perfect platform for people to fulfill their creative dreams. Designers often share a common value – the desire to push the limits of imagination and medium. The opportunity to connect with other designers is also a huge part of the WOW experience, Nathan says.
To inspire designers when entering, there are six section themes or 'worlds' to consider. This includes three recurring sections; Aotearoa, Avant-garde and Open, and three new sections, Natural World, Geometric Abstraction, and Crazy Curiosities of the Creature Carnival that are unique to 2024.
Whether entering to design free from commercial restraints, to add to a student portfolio, or to push the limits of one's imagination, the WOW Competition offers a truly unique creative outlet for all who enter. The WOW Competition offers the chance to access a Designer Development Award for future artistic growth, or an exclusive internship with global design company, Wētā Workshop (Wellington, New Zealand).
WOW also provides wearable art creatives and designers a platform to experiment with new techniques and technologies and build on professional portfolios of creative work.
Whether entering to design free from commercial restraints, to add to a student portfolio, or to push the limits of one's imagination, the WOW Competition offers a truly unique creative outlet for all who enter. The WOW Competition offers the chance to access a Designer Development Award for future artistic growth, or an exclusive internship with global design company, Wētā Workshop (Wellington, New Zealand).
WOW also provides wearable art creatives and designers a platform to experiment with new techniques and technologies and build on professional portfolios of creative work.
AWARDS & PRIZES:
The competition offers over $185,000 NZ in prize value. Up to 33 awards, including the coveted Supreme WOW Award, are awarded to finalist designers each year. Designers are also offered the opportunity to apply for exclusive residencies and internships with global creative companies; to learn and build on professional portfolios of work.
- SUPREME WOW AWARD
The most prestigious Award of all; given to the entry that the judges consider to be the most exceptional overall.
WINNER: NZ $30,000
SECOND PRIZE: NZ$15,000 - DAME SUZIE MONCRIEFF AWARD
Chosen by WOW Founder, Dame Suzie Moncrieff, as the garment that epitomises the WOW spirit.
WINNER: NZ $6,000 - SECTION AWARDS
Aotearoa, Avant-garde, Open, Mars & Beyond, Gold, and Bizarre Bra.
WINNER: NZ $6,000
SECOND PRIZE: NZ $3,000
THIRD PRIZE: NZ $1,500 - FIRST-TIME ENTRANTS AWARD
This award recognises the creativity and originality of an entry submitted by a first-time entrant. To qualify for the First-Time Entrant Award, all members of a design team must be first-time entrants.
WINNER: NZ $5,000 - STUDENT INNOVATION AWARD
This award recognises an entry submitted by a current tertiary student or recent graduate. To qualify for the Student Innovation Award, all members of a design team must be current tertiary students or have graduated within the 12 months before entering.
WINNER: NZ $5,000 - WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY AWARD
This award recognises a designer that explores and applies the most original and innovative technology to the construction and/or function of their wearable art garment.
WINNER: NZ $5,000 - SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
This award recognises a designer who creates a garment that meets one of the following criteria:
Upcycled: Garment designed to maximise use of discarded materials. Made from at least 85% post-consumer and/or post-industrial repurposed materials.
Circular: Garment designed with its end-of-life value in-mind. Made from at least 85% materials that can be easily separated at garment end-of-life and readily recycled and/or composted.
Circular: Garment designed with its end-of-life value in-mind. Made from at least 85% materials that can be easily separated at garment end-of-life and readily recycled and/or composted.
WINNER: NZ $5,000
- NEW ZEALAND DESIGN AWARD
Acknowledging the creativity and excellence of New Zealand designers. For the New Zealand Design Award, all members of a design team must be citizens or permanent residents of New Zealand.
WINNER: NZ $5,000 - INTERNATIONAL DESIGN AWARD
Acknowledging the creativity and excellence of international designers, a prize of NZ $5,000 is awarded to the best international design from each of the following regions:
United Kingdom & Europe, Americas, Asia, and Australia & Pacific.
To qualify for the International Design Awards, all members of a design team must be citizens or permanent residents of the same region.
In addition, an Overall International Winner is selected and receives NZ $6,000 plus a travel prize of up to NZ $4,000.
In addition, an Overall International Winner is selected and receives NZ $6,000 plus a travel prize of up to NZ $4,000.
- WĒTĀ WORKSHOP EMERGING DESIGNER AWARD
The winner of this Award is chosen by Sir Richard Taylor, CEO and Creative Director of Wētā Workshop, from across all categories of the competition.
The winner will have the unique opportunity to spend time behind-the-scenes at Wētā Workshop, and receives NZ $6,000, flights from anywhere in the world plus accommodation in Wellington for up to four weeks.
WINNER: NZ $6,000
- WOW DESIGNER DEVELOPMENT AWARD
This award has been created to support a designer through a professional development opportunity relating to their chosen field of creative practice. The Award is currently open to Finalists in the 2023 competition.
WOW will select the award winner based on an application which outlines the designers' creative or technical goals and presents an excellent opportunity to pursue professional development via education, training, experience, mentorship, or internship.
WINNER: NZ $7,500
- STUFF PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD
The winner of this Award is chosen by the show audience via an online voting system. The People's Choice Award, brought to you by STUFF, is announced after the conclusion of the show season.
WINNER: NZ $2,500
HOW TO ENTER:
There is no entry fee to enter the WOW Competition. The WOW Competition is open to anyone over the age of 18, from anywhere around the world. Individuals or teams consisting of two or three designers are permitted.
You may submit multiple entries in the competition.
An entry can consist of up to three garments, and there is no limit to the number of entries that you can submit.
Fundamental to the WOW Competition is the principle that anyone can enter, and anyone can win. Competition finalists are determined through a closed-judging process where the judges are presented with the garment name and inspiration; however, the designer's details and background experience are not disclosed, allowing the work to be considered solely on its own merit.
An entry can consist of up to three garments, and there is no limit to the number of entries that you can submit.
Fundamental to the WOW Competition is the principle that anyone can enter, and anyone can win. Competition finalists are determined through a closed-judging process where the judges are presented with the garment name and inspiration; however, the designer's details and background experience are not disclosed, allowing the work to be considered solely on its own merit.
Entry Information: worldofwearableart.com/entry-information
Competition Rules: worldofwearableart.com/competition-rules
Competition Terms and Conditions: worldofwearableart.com/competition-terms-conditions
Key Dates and Deadlines: worldofwearableart.com/key-dates-and-deadlines
Awards and Prizes: worldofwearableart.com/awards-prizes
Complete CONTACT details: worldofwearableart.com/contact
