world of wearableart calls all creators to enter the 2023 competition

world of wearable art awards competition returns in 2023

From now until 2 March 2023, World of WearableArt (WOW) is calling all creators to enter the 2023 edition of its internationally renowned Awards Competition. Returning for another year of grand celebrations of art, music, dance, and drama, the annual WOW Awards Show will bring innovative wearable artworks of designers to life in a large-scale theatrical spectacle in Wellington, New Zealand.

All creatives above the age of 18 and from all walks of life are encouraged to enter for a chance to win not only a prize award, but also to increase their profile, promote their work on a global scale, and gain access to highly exclusive internships and residency opportunities with exciting creative companies from across the world. This year, applicants can respond to any of the six key section themes including: Aotearoa, Avant-garde and Open, Gold, Mars & Beyond, and Bizarre Bra.

Hidden Layers by Anna Weszelovszky at WOW 2022 Hungary | all images courtesy World of WearableArt

wow calls for entries from creatives across the world

The world’s leading wearable art competition attracts entries from over 40 countries each year. For thirty-five years, WOW has been a valuable platform for designers from across the globe to push the boundaries of design while showcasing their creativity to the world. ‘Whether you’re entering to design free from commercial restraints, to add to your student portfolio or to push the limits of your imagination, the WOW Awards Competition offers a truly unique creative outlet,’ comments the team. Fashion / textile / industrial designers, as well as jewellers, architects, engineers, sculptors, painters, homemakers, gardeners, doctors, librarians, and more, are all encouraged to participate; the only requirement is to propose a well executed and innovative wearable art concept.

2022 World of WearableArt Awards Show, Wanton Widow, Kate MacKenzie, New Zealand

a spectacular celebration of art, design, and fashion

Competition finalists will be determined through an anonymous, closed-judging process where the panel will be presented with only the garment name and a brief outlining the concept and inspiration behind the submitted piece. The designer’s identity will remain undisclosed, allowing the work to be considered solely on its own merit. All selected participants will have their unique works of wearable art brought to life on stage at the grand WOW Awards Show held in New Zealand, which attracts a diverse audience of over 60,000 people per year.

2022 World of WearableArt Awards Show, Documental, Bethany Cordwell, Australia

As well as a total prize pool of over $185,000 (NZD), the competition offers designers the opportunity to access exclusive residencies and internships with global creative companies including Wētā Workshop (Wellington, New Zealand) and The Residency Experience (Los Angeles, United States), while providing them scope to experiment with new techniques and technologies and build their creative portfolios. Entrants will also gain access to a diverse international design community, with the chance to have their work exhibited alongside other incredible designers and artists from around the world.

The 2023 World of WearableArt Awards Competition is calling for creatives now – visit the website here for more information. Or begin your journey now and create your WOW Designer Profile.

2022 WOW Awards Show, Beneath, Agnes Olah, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, United Kingdom