entries are now open for the 2024 world of wearableart competition

Listen up designers, crafters, makers, fashionistas and the rest of you talented cookies because have we got some good news for you: the 2024 World of Wearableart (WOW) Competition is back for a stellar new year. This event is internationally renowned and showcases some of the very best designs that blur art, fashion and craftsmanship all together.

Taking place in Wellington, NZ, WOW celebrates the creativity of amazing designers from over 40 different countries every year, all culminating in a spectacular show that attracts an audience of 60,000. (look at those garments, is it that hard to see why?)Earthling, Gill Saunders, New Zealand.

Not that you probably need any more persuasion on how cool it would be to show off your rad designs to the entire world, but there is a whopping prize pool worth over $185,000 NZD up for grabs, including the chance to access a Designer Development Award or an exclusive internship with global design company, Wētā Workshop.

The WOW Competition is open to any and all creative peeps all across the globe and over the age of 18, the only requirement being a passion for making some pretty extraordinary garments. “WOW finalists come from all corners of the globe and a broad spectrum of creative and technical disciplines,” WOW Head of Competition, Sarah Nathan, says, “The creative team and models pour immense passion and care into understanding the garments, their inspiration, and stories”.
Blooming Proof!, Erna Van Der Wat, Joanne Van Wyk & Lena Van Der Wat, New Zealand.

Finalists are selected for their work and their work alone, no information about any designer’s background or details are disclosed to any judges, only the designer’s inspiration behind their pieces.

The 2024 Competition has six section themes, including three mainstays (Aotearoa, Avant-Garde and Open) and three new ones (Crazy Curiosities of the Creature Carnival, Natural World and Geometric Abstraction).

Take a gander at WOW's website to grab all the info you need like the competition's key dates. Don't forget to register as a designer whilst you are there. The first entry deadline closes on 26 February 2024.