From Wellington to the World

Now in its thirty-sixth year, the World of WearableArt (WOW) is the leading global wearable art show that is more than just a brilliant spectacle – it's an ingenious and inspired showcase of the human experience through design, art, and fashion that dare designers and audience alike to dream, be curious and embrace creativity.

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Creativity takes centre stage

The World of WearableArt is an opportunity for the world’s most creative people to come together – and they come in their crowds. Every year, over 300 designers from more than 40 countries enter the prestigious competition, from Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, India, and Sweden, to Canada, USA, UK, and Germany. Some work at the cutting-edge of fashion, art, photography or theatre, whilst others are students or passionate amateurs. Anyone can enter, and anyone can win.

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New Zealand’s largest arena spectacle

Each of the designers enters the world of the unimaginable as they create masterpieces that break boundaries using unconventional materials and processes. Plastic, glass, rubber, metal – as well as more bizarre materials – potato bags, bee's wax, Barbie dolls, bamboo and even synthetic hair! All reimagined by these extraordinary creative thinkers into works of wearable art.

The Aotearoa, Open, and Avant-garde sections are a constant presence, challenging designers to continually reinvent the wheel (or any other object), whilst three new categories are introduced each year, and conjure up the likes of a digger bra, a wooden Wētā, and a colourfully crocheted extra-terrestrial and more to take to the stage. The philosophy is simple: the more experimental, radical and innovative, the better. And it never fails to disappoint.

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Where else but Wellington?

For three weeks each year, Wellington throws open its doors and hotel rooms to the thousands of people who come to witness this international event. This year promises to be no less - a spectacle of epic proportions that only one could dream. Around 60,000 people will descend on the capital of culture for the annual World of WearableArt awards showcase. During the two-hour extravaganza, they’ll be transported to another world that often defies gravity and always leaves jaws on the floor.

“Part Cirque du Soleil, part Broadway play, and part avant-garde couture show, New Zealand’s annual World of WearableArt Show (WOW) is, in a word, mesmerizing.”

- Coveteur, New York  

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If you’d like to have your mind blown and your eyes opened to possibilities beyond your wildest imaginations, we know a place.

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2024 World of WearableArt Show: DREAM AWAKE

26 September – 13 October | TSB Arena, Wellington | worldofwearableart.com