Wearable Arts

A DigitalNZ Story by National Library of New Zealand Topics

First held in Nelson in 1987, the World of WearableArt (WOW) in Wellington has become an international awards show. Be inspired by the themes, materials, and the design of garments as expressive forms of art. Also see other artwear that communicates social and cultural identities. SCIS no.1809116

social_sciences, technology, arts, english

Image: Wearable Art Awards

Wearable art awards

Wearable Art Awards

Tourism New Zealand

Image: World of Wearable Art Awards

World of WearableArt awards

World of Wearable Art Awards

Radio New Zealand

Image: Dragon Fish wearable artwork

Dragon fish wearable artwork

Dragon Fish wearable artwork

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: 1998 Montana New Zealand Wearable Art Awards

New Zealand WearableArt awards

Performers of the Intrepid Ice TV head to Nelson to meet the creators of the Montana New Zealand Art Awards before hosting the show.

1998 Montana New Zealand Wearable Art Awards

NZ On Screen

Image: 2007 Montana World of Wearable Art Awards

2007 Montana World of WearableArt awards

This TVNZ production showcases the fashion, performance, and theatre that is the Montana World of Wearable Art Awards.

2007 Montana World of Wearable Art Awards

NZ On Screen

Image: Nelson wearable arts festival

Nelson wearable arts festival

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Photographs of World of Wearable Art parade, Wellington

Photographs of people gathered in Parliament Grounds, Wellington, for the 2006 World of WearableArt street parade.

Photographs of World of Wearable Art parade, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Dual Outlook

Ensemble

Dual Outlook was created from nylon line, copper wire, and copper-plated polyester for the 1997 Smokefree Fashion Awards.

Dual Outlook

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Wearable Arts

Wearable arts

Wearable Arts

DigitalNZ

Image: First wearable arts show, 1987

First wearable arts show, 1987

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: WOW

Behind the scenes with the garments, dressers, and models of the 2010 World of WearableArts show.

WOW

Radio New Zealand

Image: Costume

Costume

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: costume

A Tamate dance mask, attached hood, and plaited skirt

Tamate dance mask, hood, skirt, and suit made of plaited fibres. Worn in Melanesia, the masks are a visual representation of a spiritual being.

costume

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Fashion

Services to Schools

Image: Ag Art Wear

Ag art wear

 Wearable art competition with a rural twist, Ag Art Wear is a popular event at Fieldays with garments made from recyclied farm yard junk.

Ag Art Wear

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Photographs of Rugby Sevens costumes, Wellington

Rugby Sevens costumes

 Photograph of people in costume going to the Wellington Sevens rugby tournament on 4 February 2011.

Photographs of Rugby Sevens costumes, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Two unidentified men with a Kiribati warrior costume

Kiribati warrior costume

Two unidentified men with a Kiribati warrior costume

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Wearable Art with Siliga David Setoga

Wearable Art with Siliga David Setoga

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Image: Spring Festival 2003; Kids' wearable-art overall winner from Sts Peter and Paul Primary, Lower Hutt.

Pupil wearable-art winner

Each of the 460 pupils had made one of the garment’s squares.

Spring Festival 2003; Kids' wearable-art overall winner from Sts Peter and Paul Primary, Lower Hutt.

Upper Hutt City Library

Image: Kidsfest Wearable Arts at Fendalton 29

Children model their creations at Kidsfest Wearable Arts held at Fendalton Library.

Kidsfest Wearable Arts at Fendalton 29

Christchurch City Libraries

Image: Wearable arts parade

Wearable arts parade

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Wearable Art lesson

Services to Schools

Flash Trash!

Services to Schools

Image: Woman advertising Osram light bulbs

An example of early 20th century wearable costume art showing a woman waring advertising paraphernalia taken circa 1915-1922.

Woman advertising Osram light bulbs

Alexander Turnbull Library

Dame Suzie Moncrieff

Services to Schools

EPIC

Services to Schools

Wearable art awards

Services to Schools