Forty years after the first World of WearableArt (WOW) Competition, we are inviting creative minds to be part of a milestone year.

Entries are now open for the 2027 WOW Competition, with the much-loved Child Section returning for the first time in 12 years, alongside two new creative challenges, Rococo and Black White, and the annual Aotearoa, Open and Avant-garde sections.

From professional artists and designers to self-taught makers and first-time entrants, WOW is inviting people from all walks of life to turn their imagination into exceptional wearable art, with selected finalist creations brought to life onstage in Wellington as part of the 2027 WOW Show.

Resident Judge and WOW Ambassador Dame Suzie Moncrieff says she is excited to see sculptors, artists, engineers, and designers of all kinds bring their wildest ideas to life for the milestone year. 

“Wearable art has become one of the most dynamic, challenging and rewarding artforms of our time. Its evolution and momentum four decades on is testament to the infinite possibilities of taking art off the wall and onto the moving body. When you set your story free on stage something completely transformative happens for both the creator and viewer.”

WOW Head of Competition Sarah Nathan says the 40th anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate the creative community that has shaped WOW since 1987, while inspiring a new generation to make their mark.

“The return of the Child Section for the first time in 12 years has the designer community completely buzzing, so that’s a section we all cannot wait to see,” she says.

Titled Figments of Imagination, the Child Section invites artists to explore fantastical creatures and whimsical creations inspired by childhood imagination, designing wearable art for children aged six to 12.

The creative possibilities continue with Rococo, a celebration of extravagance, and Black White, challenging designers to make a striking visual statement using only two colours.

“I think Black White will be hugely popular, with the challenge of that set colour palette resulting in a truly visually striking section, while Rococo will be lush and absolutely dripping with opulence.”

For many WOW designers, the journey begins not in a design studio, but in the audience. New Plymouth hairdresser, artist and part-time teacher aide Lisa Newsome spent 10 years watching WOW before finally seeing her own creation take to the stage this year; her garment Platinum won the 2026 ALL Accor First Time Entrant Award.

“Over the years, I had made various props for my daughters’ dance shows, and when I saw WOW for the first time, I knew immediately that one day I would work to make it to the stage,” she says.

Becoming a finalist was a moment she says she’ll never forget.

“You work on something for months, spending hours with it, and then suddenly it’s part of the show and just transforms. You stand back and think, ‘Did I really do that?’ It’s a feeling like no other.”

Nathan says stories like Newsome’s reflect what has made the WOW Competition extraordinary over four decades: the opportunity for people from vastly different backgrounds to see their ideas transformed into something they never imagined possible.

“Some of the most powerful creations begin with a simple, personal idea and the courage to give it a go. That rebellion and courage have always been in the WOW DNA”.

New Zealand’s creative talent was particularly prominent in the 2026 WOW Competition, with local designers taking home 16 of the 25 awards, including the Supreme WOW Award for Sacred Nightfall by Kayla Christensen and Supreme Runner-up for Armour of Pain by Erna Van Der Wat and Karl Van Der Wat.

To see New Zealand artists thriving alongside global artists at the top of their game was testament to the country’s creativity, innovative thought and having grown up with wearable art, Nathan says.

In 2027, WOW will also celebrate the artists who have helped shape its evolution from its humble and artistically rebellious beginnings to an internationally recognised creative competition and major live entertainment experience.

A special WOW Global Wearable Artists Reunion is planned for the anniversary year, bringing together designers and alumni from across countries, years and generations to honour the creative community behind four decades of extraordinary wearable art.

The milestone is as much about the next generation of makers as it is about celebrating the past, Nathan says.

“Whether you’ve been part of WOW for decades or you’re thinking about entering for the very first time, there’s a place for you in this competition.”

Finalist garments selected for the 2027 WOW Competition will be brought to life as part of the 2027 WOW Show in Wellington, where wearable art is transformed through music, movement, lighting and theatrical performance into an immersive arena spectacle. Next year’s show also coincides with the global premiere of WOW®: The Exhibition, showcasing some 50 works from across WOW’s 40-year history.

The WOW Competition is open to anyone over the age of 18, with entries accepted from individuals or teams of two or three designers. New entrants can begin by creating a profile on the WOW Designer Hub – https://www.worldofwearableart.com/about-the-competition 

International designers have until 25 February 2027 and New Zealand designers have until 14 April 2027 to complete their garments and online submissions, following which the selection and judging process takes place.

Full entry information, competition rules and key dates are available here: https://www.worldofwearableart.com/about-the-competition

About World of WearableArt

World of WearableArt (WOW) is the world’s leading wearable art competition and one of Aotearoa’s most spectacular live experiences. Each year, designers from around the globe and New Zealand transform imagination into extraordinary wearable creations, brought to life in a breathtaking arena performance in Wellington. WOW is a glorious rebellion against the ordinary, celebrating creativity without limits.