Wow “Kiwi Icon” Theme Hits The Mark

WOW KIWI ICONS THEME HITS THE MARK

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Embargoed until Sunday 19 June, 2011

Wow “Kiwi Icon” Theme Hits The Mark

The challenge to transform a Kiwi Icon into wearable art has been a hit with WOW designers this year, says Competition Director Heather Palmer.

The Brancott Estate World of WearableArt™ (WOW) Award Show is now in its 23rd year and is a world-renowned event showcasing works of art designed to be worn on the human form. At this year’s Brancott Estate WOW Awards Shows in August and September, ingenious designs will again be brought to life in a stunning choreographed performance featuring Royal New Zealand Ballet dancers.

There are seven main category sections, and Heather Palmer says the entries into the Kiwi Icon section have particularly impressed the judges.

“Overall, the designs this year are just superb, and there are some clear stand outs in all categories,” Palmer says. “Looking at the garments in the Kiwi Icons section, you can especially feel the sense of pride that designers have for New Zealand. Kiwis are really proud of their country, and it is great that WOW can provide a way for designers to cleverly and artistically show how they feel.

“Within all categories, there are also wonderful stories of those who found both solace and inspiration while making their garment this year,” Palmer says. “There have been many heart-warming stories of perseverance, innovation and humour when times have perhaps not been that easy – be it finishing a piece while dealing with no water or electricity in their Christchurch home; finding inspiration from the passion of a cobbler working on the streets in India; or getting stuck in their garment when trying it on to check the fit.”

Joining WOW Founder Suzie Moncrieff on the judging panel are fashion designer Trelise Cooper and artist Nigel Brown, who finished the first round of judging last weekend.

Trelise Cooper says the number of interpretations to the different categories is fascinating, with designers providing many great surprises.

“This year, designers have been challenged to create a representation of the Kiwi Icon; re-dress the groom; provide an interpretation of surrealism and of food; and give us a glimpse of what can be found under the microscope - they have more than met those challenges,” Cooper says. “The surprises come in the topics chosen, the treatment of raw materials, and who has made the garment – of course designers and artists enter, but so do talented farmers, students, office workers and high school teachers, and husband and wife teams. WOW continues to be a show for everyone, today more so than ever.”

There will be two further judging rounds in August to decide the category section winners and the overall Supreme winner. Tickets are on sale now at worldofwearableart.com

160 garments have been selected to appear on stage at the 2011 Awards Show, out of 273 submitted garments.
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Highlights from the 2011 story so far…

The 2011 Brancott Estate WOW Awards includes the following main award categories:
The Air New Zealand Kiwi Icons Section has clearly provided great inspiration to local designers, who have presented wonderful representations of Aotearoa, including; sea glass Pohutukawa; a dress constructed with footballs; an endangered bird made out of the equally endangered woollen blanket; and aluminium road signs marking our most favourite Kiwi destinations.

Gen-i Creative Excellence Section: ‘Under The Microscope’: Designers help us discover this fascinating unseen world of millions of strange creatures that dwell under the microscope from shapes, patterns and textures to cells, bacteria, dust mites, skin, the brain, and snowflakes.

The Children’s Section topic this year is ‘Food’; what is good for us and what is not? Without using perishable materials, creations this year range from fairy bread, pretzels, healthy food on the run, to children’s tea parties.

CentrePort Illumination Illusion Section is entitled ‘Surrealism’; a style where fantastical visual imagery from the subconscious mind is used, with the work being comprehensible under UV light.

The challenge in the Man Unleashed Section was to ‘Re-Invent Or Re-Dress The Groom’. This challenge has resulted in one groom being dressed in sculptured soy milk container armour, and another groom being carried by his bride as a puppet – a mere accessory.

The Tourism New Zealand Avant Garde Section is where art and fashion collide. These designs are revolutionary, extravagant and extrovert. The shapes of this year’s designs are beautiful and eclectic, with designs including materials such as; bird cages; aluminium tubing; and even 271 Barbie dolls.

The American Express Open Section has no thematic boundaries, giving designers complete freedom in concept, construction and materials. Works in this section include garments made with knitting needles, folded envelopes and armour fashioned from steamer baskets.

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