The World of Wearable Art (WOW) contest is a breathtaking celebration of the fusion of fashion, art, and innovation. Each year, designers from across the globe push the boundaries of creativity, crafting wearable masterpieces that astound and inspire. For over 35 years, this competition has provided a platform for captivating works of art, with finalists showcasing their designs in the annual WOW Show at Wellington’s TSB Arena in New Zealand.
The 2023 WOW contest continued the tradition, bringing together talented artists and designers from all corners of the world. Among the extraordinary creations on display, the 2023 Supreme WOW Award was rightfully claimed by Nelson designer Gill Saunders for her stunning piece, “Earthling.” This masterpiece exemplified the innovative spirit of the competition, combining artistry, design, and a powerful message.
Join us on a visual journey as we explore 20 of the most remarkable entries from this year’s contest—each one a testament to the boundless imagination and skill of its creator, leaving us utterly spellbound.
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#1 Winner Of The Supreme Wow Award And The Open Section: “Earthling”
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Designer: Gill Saunders, New Zealand
“Earthling celebrates the natural wonders of our planet in the form of an adult coloring book.”
#2 Third Prize Award In The Mars And Beyond Section: “Entanglement”
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Designer: Celia Ledon, United States
“A sort of breathing-aid war costume, drawn from a dystopic and ethereal darkness.”
#3 Winner Of The Sustainability Award And Second Prize Award In The Open Section: “Tears Unseen”
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Designer: Carena West, New Zealand
“Tears Unseen embodies the tears that go unnoticed, shed by women who are mothers and caregivers.”
#4 Second Prize Award In The Gold Section: “Seraph”
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Designer: Sasha Wisniowski, Australia
“From the opulence of the church to the radiance of the sun, gold is a symbol of the sacred.”
#5 Winner Of The Stuff People’s Choice Award And The Mars And Beyond Section: “Blooming Proof!”
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Designer: Erna van der Wat, Joanne van Wyk and Lena van der Wat, New Zealand
“There’s life on mars and beyond – alien has been yarn bombed.”
#6 Winner Of The International Design Award And The Gold Section: “Digital Ascension Of Kitsune”
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Designer: Dawn Mostow and Snow Winters, United States
“The mischievous nine-tailed fox spirit, a thousand years old, ascends to digital heaven.”
#7 Third Prize Award In The Aotearoa Section: “Rusalka”
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Designer: Nikola Carouso, United Kingdom
“Fish-like bones speak to Maui’s fish and to the marine life at the root of Aotearoa and its evolution and cultural development.”
#8 Winner In The Avant-Garde Section: “Samurai Girl”
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Designer: Chiaki Shimizu, Japan
“The contemporary woman who paves the way for the times is expressed in ancient Japanese armor.”
#9 Third Prize Award In The Gold Section: “The Golden Chakra”
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Designer: Akhilesh Gupta and Dimple Gandhi, India
“Inspired from the Chakras system that helps in finding inner peace.”
#10 Winner Of The International Design Award: Australia And Pacific: “Birth Of The Babel Fish”
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Designer: Lynnette Griffiths and Marion Gaemers, Australia
“Regenerated life enfolds a queen as she births fluorescent Babel fish.”
#11 Winner In The Aotearoa Section: “Child·hood”
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Designer: Craig McMillan, New Zealand
“Forgotten logs dredged from the lake of childhood summers transformed into what lurks in dark spaces.”
#12 Third Prize Award In The Open Section: “Once Upon A Time”
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Designer: Marianne van Heeswijk, Netherlands
“A fairy tale invitation to all to reconnect with your soul, the other, and nature.”
#13 Winner Of The First-Time Entrant Award: “Oizys – Goddess Of Emotion”
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Designer: Abhishek Chauhan, India
“But feelings can’t be ignored, no matter how unjust or ungrateful they seem.”
#14 Second Prize Award In The Aotearoa Section: Wellington “The Skin I Am In”
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Designer: Katherine Bertram, New Zealand
“Finally, I have found my place. I know every detail moving and shifting. wellington, it is my skin.”
#15 Winner Of The Bizarre Bra Section: “Groundbreaking”
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Designer: Kristy Kirkpatrick and David Kirkpatrick, New Zealand
“Inspired by our two-year-old who expresses joy and awe when he spots a digger at work.”
#16 Winner Of The Student Innovation Award: “Flame Dance”
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Designer: Eva Chan, Hong Kong
“Life burns only for itself.”
#17 Second Prize Award In The Mars And Beyond Section: “Celestial Body”
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Designer: Jagoda Matecka and Zofia Brunarska, Poland
“The Celestial Body, a fascinating blend of living creature and plant, an active, ever-transforming entity.”
#18 Second Prize Award In The Avant-Garde Section: “Sen No Hida (1000 Folds)”
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Designer: Carolyn Gibson and Joelle March, New Zealand
“A blend of intricate folds and bold, funky fashion.”
#19 Third Prize Award In The Avant-Garde Section: “Love Me Tender”
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Designer: Antoaneta Tica, Romania
“Society encourages us to fall in love with an endless array of objects, convincing us that acquiring them will lead to a happier life.”
#20 Winner Of The International Design Award: Asia: “Shadow Warrior”
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Designer: Karin Chiu, Cathy, Sin Wei Chow, Choy Yuk Nga, Hong Kong
“The Shadow Warrior’s feminine elegance is beautifully highlighted with gold sparkles on calligraphic-painted preserved leather, crafting a mesmerizing and captivating sight.”
