17 Extraordinary Entries From The 2023 World Of Wearable Art Contest

The World of Wearable Art Competition (WOW) is a world-renowned event, where designers create unique outfits and show them off in a big yearly contest. It features "wearable art", which refers to clothing that is made mainly as a piece of art, not for everyday use or going out.

WOW invites creators from around the globe to amaze the world with their incredible works. For more than 35 years, captivating artworks created by the finalists have been shown in the annual WOW Show in Wellington's TSB Arena, New Zealand.

The 2023 Supreme WOW Award went to Nelson designer Gill Saunders for her garment titled "Earthling". Continue scrolling and explore all of the amazing works! 

More info: instagram | worldofwearableart

17 PHOTOS

#1 Third Prize Award In The Mars And Beyond Section: "Entanglement"

Designer: Celia Ledon, United States

"A sort of breathing-aid war costume, drawn from a dystopic and ethereal darkness."

Sarah Nathan, the Head of Competition, says that the event is a great place for people to make their creative dreams come true. “WOW, finalists come from all corners of the globe and a broad spectrum of creative and technical disciplines. Our designer community is made up of fashion, textile, and industrial designers, jewelers, costumers, architects, engineers, sculptors, painters, crafters, gardeners, doctors, and even boat builders! All you need is a strong creative concept and a commitment to robust, quality execution.”

#2 Winner Of The Sustainability Award And Second Prize Award In The Open Section: "Tears Unseen"

Designer: Carena West, New Zealand

"Tears Unseen embodies the tears that go unnoticed, shed by women who are mothers and caregivers."

#3 Second Prize Award In The Gold Section: "Seraph"

Designer: Sasha Wisniowski, Australia

"From the opulence of the church to the radiance of the sun, gold is a symbol of the sacred."

“To see their vision come to life on stage through world-class performance at the WOW Show is incredibly rewarding and often emotional for WOW designers. The creative team and models pour immense passion and care into understanding the garments, their inspiration, and stories," Nathan says.

#4 Winner Of The International Design Award And The Gold Section: "Digital Ascension Of Kitsune"

Designer: Dawn Mostow and Snow Winters, United States

"The mischievous nine-tailed fox spirit, a thousand years old, ascends to digital heaven."

#5 Third Prize Award In The Aotearoa Section: "Rusalka"

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."

"WOW was born from the idea of taking art off the wall and onto the moving body, and we see that year after year in the entries – both in terms of the visually striking and the important storytelling. We can’t wait to see what comes through for 2024."

#6 Winner Of The Stuff People’s Choice Award And The Mars And Beyond Section: "Blooming Proof!"

Designer: Erna van der Wat, Joanne van Wyk and Lena van der Wat, New Zealand

"There's life on Mars and beyond - the alien has been yarn bombed."

#7 Third Prize Award In The Gold Section: "The Golden Chakra"

Designer: Akhilesh Gupta and Dimple Gandhi, India

"Inspired from the Chakras system that helps in finding inner peace."

#8 Winner In The Avant-Garde Section: "Samurai Girl"

Designer: Chiaki Shimizu, Japan

"The contemporary woman who paves the way for the times is expressed in ancient Japanese armor."

#9 Winner Of The International Design Award: Australia And Pacific: "Birth Of The Babel Fish"

Designer: Lynnette Griffiths and Marion Gaemers, Australia

"Regenerated life enfolds a queen as she births fluorescent Babel fish."

#10 Winner Of The Student Innovation Award: "Flame Dance"

Designer: Eva Chan, Hong Kong

"Life only burns for itself."

#11 Second Prize Award In The Mars And Beyond Section: "Celestial Body"

Designer: Jagoda Matecka and Zofia Brunarska, Poland

"The Celestial Body, something between living creature and plant. An active, transforming creature."

#12 Winner Of The International Design Award: United Kingdom And Europe: "Metamorphosis"

Designer: Juliet Dodson, United Kingdom

"From cocoon to bloom, embodying various complex metamorphoses which occur in nature."

#13 Winner Of The International Design Award: Asia: "Shadow Warrior"

Designer: Karin Chiu, Cathy, Sin Wei Chow, Choy Yuk Nga, Hong Kong

"The Shadow Warrior's feminine elegance shines through with gold sparkles on calligraphic-painted preserved leather, creating a captivating sight."

#14 Third Prize Award In The Avant-Garde Section: "Love Me Tender"

Designer: Antoaneta Tica, Romania

"Society pushes us to fall in love with more and more objects, then to buy them for a happier life."

#15 "Futuristic Fashion Technology"

Designer: Fatemeh Delkhah, Iran

"Embark on a futuristic voyage that culminates in a garment that becomes your very own sanctuary."

#16 Winner Of The Wearable Technology Award: "Virtually The Same"

Designer: Dylan Mulder and Juliette Thomson, New Zealand

"Digital wearables are here. With AR, Web3, blockchain - this garment can be owned and worn digitally."

#17 Winner In The Aotearoa Section: "Child·hood"

Designer: Craig McMillan, New Zealand

"Forgotten logs dredged from the lake of childhood summers transformed into what lurks in dark spaces."