Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, July 19, 2024
The 34th annual World of Wearable Art (WOW) Show recently announced the finalists for the 2024 WOW Competition.
This year’s theme, “DREAM AWAKE,” will feature 91 finalist entries, each demonstrating an extraordinary use of diverse materials that push the boundaries of wearable art.
Designers from 35 countries put forward entries this year, across the six sections of the show, and the team is enthusiastic about this year’s show being “a celebration of creativity, curiosity and joy.”
Spanning the globe
Finalist entries span the globe, from Tauranga to Turkey, Hastings to Hong Kong, Collingwood to Canada, and Moutere to Mexico.
Audiences can look forward to creations crafted from car parts, human hair, digital waste, antique silk, roadwork safety equipment, old mattresses, lamp shades, gutter guard, and innovative takes on New Zealand wool.
“The ingenuity and imagination of the designers are, as ever, awe-inspiring,” said WOW Head of Competition Sarah Nathan.
“WOW Competition entries are works of art that often reflect the world around us. In recent years, many design narratives have been serious, mirroring the issues and mood of the times. This year, while some garments address critical topics such as human acceptance, mental health, and environmental impacts, there is a strong vision for joy, love, escapism, and even frivolity, suggesting that might be just what we all need right now,” she said.
Global Creativity and Innovation
The WOW Show provides a prestigious platform for designers to share their artistic visions. Finalists will undergo two further rounds of judging, with winners announced at the WOW Awards Night on Friday, September 27, 2024 at TSB Arena.
The judging panel includes WOW Founder Dame Suzie Moncrieff, James Dobson, Creative Director of New Zealand fashion label Jimmy D, and Wētā Workshop Creative Art Director Gino Acevedo.
With over $185,000 in awards and prizes, the competition features three recurring sections (Aotearoa, Avant-garde, and Open) and three unique categories, ‘Crazy Curiosities of the Creature Carnival, Natural World, and Geometric Abstraction.’
Designers from 35 countries have submitted entries this year, showcasing brilliantly unexpected interpretations of the six sections.
“The Geometric section, while rooted in mathematical precision, brings forth a sense of whimsy and wonder, showcasing designs that evoke childlike joy and curiosity. With Crazy Curiosities of the Creature Carnival, the designers have pushed the boat out beyond what anyone might imagine is possible,” Ms Nathan explained.
Showcase of Indian Talent
Among the impressive list of finalists, India is notably well-represented with several talented designers making their mark. The Indian finalists include Aarohi Garg from Ghaziabad, Aishwarya Gupta from Muzaffarpur, Anusha Yadav from New Delhi, Ashish Dhaka from Gurugram, Jaanvi Manchanda from Amritsar, Manish Tushir from Janti Kalan, Naseeb Sihag from Hansi, Puneet Kumar from Balupur, Saachi Bathla from Faridabad, Sanskriti Maheshwari from Jalandhar, Sanya Madan from Gurgaon, Shantanu Singh from Delhi, Tanya Bhagia from New Delhi, Vishnu Priya Pal from Kanpur, Vrinda Rakwal from New Delhi, and Yashaswini Kaul from Noida. Their diverse and innovative designs reflect the growing influence and creativity of Indian designers on the global stage.
Anticipation for the WOW Show
Dame Suzie Moncrieff praised the standard of work presented by this year’s finalists. “Even after almost four decades of the WOW Competition, I am constantly surprised by and honoured to witness the designers’ ingenuity and commitment to the constant elevation of their chosen materials,” she said. “Combined with the exceptional creative vision of Executive Creative Director Brian Burke and Show Director Malia Johnston, the 2024 WOW Show: DREAM AWAKE is set to be another spectacular celebration showcasing stunning works of wearable art from all over the world.”
Highlights:
- 91 Finalist Entries: Selected from across the globe, featuring innovative materials like car parts, human hair, and digital waste.
- Themes: Designs addressing human acceptance, mental health, environmental impacts, and visions of joy, love, and escapism.
- Judging and Awards: Winners announced at the WOW Awards Night on September 27, 2024 with over $185,000 in awards and prizes.
- Categories: Aotearoa, Avant-garde, Open, Crazy Curiosities of the Creature Carnival, Natural World, and Geometric Abstraction.
- Show Dates: September 26, 2024 to October 13, 2024 at TSB Arena, Wellington.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.worldofwearableart.com
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Hamilton.
