The 2024 World of WearableArt (WOW) Awards, a globally recognized wearable art competition, invites innovative designers from all over the world to showcase their creativity in Wellington, New Zealand. Celebrating over 35 years of artistic excellence, WOW provides a unique platform for artists and designers from diverse backgrounds, including fashion, sculpture, and technology, to push the boundaries of conventional design and craft extraordinary wearable art. The event, known for its spectacular stage show, draws an audience of approximately 60,000, offering finalists unparalleled exposure. This year’s competition features six inspiring themes: the recurring Aotearoa, Avant-garde, and Open sections, alongside three new themes exclusive to 2024 — Natural World, Geometric Abstraction, and Crazy Curiosities of the Creature Carnival. These themes challenge participants to explore a wide range of artistic expressions and cultural narratives, encouraging the creation of garments that are not just visually stunning but also rich in story and context. The finalist garments, celebrated for their artistic innovation and craftsmanship, become the stars of a grand stage production, blending fashion, art, and performance in an awe-inspiring spectacle. WOW’s impact extends far beyond the stage, as it offers a vibrant community for designers to connect, collaborate, and gain international recognition. Through its extensive social media presence and coverage in national and international media outlets, WOW amplifies the visibility of participating designers and their creations. The competition’s commitment to celebrating creativity and artistic talent has made it a must-enter event for aspiring and established designers seeking to make a mark in the world of wearable art. With its blend of artistic challenge, global community, and professional opportunity, the 2024 World of WearableArt Awards promises to be an event of unparalleled creativity and inspiration. There is no entry fee. Eligibility: Open worldwide to anyone over 18 years old. Prize: The competition boasts a prize pool of over $185,000 NZD (approx. 108,000 USD), along with opportunities for exclusive residencies and internships at global creative companies. It offers a chance to experiment with new techniques and technologies and contribute to professional portfolios. The competition awards 33 prizes, including the Supreme WOW Award, and allows designers to be part of an international design community and have their work exhibited to a wide audience.
