2020 World of WearableArt Awards Competition

The World of WearableArt (WOW) Awards Competition is an internationally renowned wearable art competition that, each year, attracts entries from over 40 countries around the world. The Awards Competition is an opportunity for designers to create the unimaginable, to challenge the conventional, and defy creative expectations.

For three weeks every year, the finalist garments in the Competition are showcased in a spectacular show that takes over New Zealand’s vibrant capital city of Wellington in an explosion of creativity. Today garments are brought to life on stage in front of an audience of over 60,000 people.

Why Enter

For designers, WOW offers not only prize money but also profile and promotion of your work, networking opportunities, and access to exclusive internships and residencies.

Whether you’re entering to progress yourself professionally or simply looking for a creative challenge, WOW is a wonderful platform to push the limits of your imagination and creativity. 

Sections and Judging

Each year we ask designers to be inspired by one of the six worlds that will make up the World of WearableArt Awards. There are three recurring Sections; Aotearoa, Avant-garde and Open, and three Sections that are unique to that year.

More info about sections: worldofwearableart.com/competition

The Judging process

Each year, finalist garments are selected through three rounds of closed judging. The judging panel comprises of WOW Founder and Resident Judge, Dame Suzie Moncrieff, and two guests judges, from the worlds of art and fashion, who are invited to be part of the panel.

For the 2019 World of WearableArt Awards, Dame Suzie Moncrieff was joined by designer James Dobson of Jimmy D, and acclaimed multimedia artist Gregor Kregar. 

During 2019 Awards Week, the judging panel was joined by guest judges Melissa Thompson (Cirque du Soleil), Sir Richard Taylor (Weta Workshop) and B. Akerlund (The Residency Experience). 

How to Enter

Anyone intending to enter the World of WearableArt Awards must first register to receive a unique designer number.  This number is generated by our database and will be required to complete the online entry process.

Your designer number stays the same every year and you are not required to register again. 

We also recommend downloading the 2020 World of WearableArt Awards Competition Entry Guide and having a good read before you start on your creation!