Experience the World of Wearable Art at the WOW Museum in Nelson New Zealand

by Feb 16, 2018Asia, New Zealand0 comments

We had so much fun at WOW: World of Wearable Art

WOW 2017 invites you to enter the wondrous worlds of WOW and celebrate the infinite possibilities of creativity.

www.wowcars.nz

The fashions in WOW are not like anything on the runway. They are bizarre, interesting, fun and completely different from anything I have ever seen, anywhere.

I loved the exhibition and I love the back-story of how WOW was created.

What is the best revenge if you apply to art school and don’t get in? The best revenge is success.

Dame Suzie Moncrieff was not accepted into art school. So she started her own gallery. Then she started WOW. The first exhibition in 1987 was a stage show combining wearable art, theatre and dance. It was a huge success and became an annual event.

The annual WOW show contributes $15 million to the New Zealand economy.

You don’t need an art degree or a fashion degree to enter the annual WOW competition. You need a big imagination.

The exhibition epitomises the heart of WOW – that anyone can enter the competition, as long as they can meet the challenge to create a piece of wearable art that is original, innovative and truly exceptional.

 

As is the case every year, the designers in the 2017 competition came from all walks of life, ranging from fashion designers and artists, to a realtor, an orchardist and two welders;

 

The competition attracted international attention with finalist garments from 13 countries around the world.

 

The garments are made of a range of materials including recyclables such as bicycle spokes, chopsticks, horsehair and orange peels, through to high-tech, cutting edge developments with the likes of Worbla, Fosshape and Plasterzote.

Dame Suzie Moncrieff created herself while she created WOW. She was born Suzanne Elizabeth Dick. After two marriages and two divorces, friends encouraged Moncrieff to create her own surname. She chose “Moncrieff”, a name from her mother’s Shetland Islands ancestry.

She became Dame Suzie Moncrieff when she was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to the arts and tourism.

And finally, she has her fine arts degree. In 2014 she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts by Massey University.

 

Are you ready to enter the world of WOW?

 

Welcome to an extraordinary world at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

The exhibition opened with wearable bras

Teeth bra at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

These bras are not made for comfort. But they must be wearable.

The WOW museum has a theatre that showcases the highlights of the annual stage show. It was really interesting to see the performers wearing the fashions that I had just seen in the exhibition.

The stage show used to be held in Nelson. It moved to Wellington, the capital of NZ, in order to accommodate a larger audience. It is sold out every year.

I took a few photos of the video. They are dark and blurry but they give you an idea of the spectacular show. (I felt like I was making a pirated movie when I was taking photos in a dark theatre.)

Bra teeth on stage at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

This performer is dancing in her false teeth bra

Is she wearing falsies?

International design competition at WOW in NZ for boomervoice
Silver wings bra at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

Can you fly in a metal bra?

Teacup bra at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

The sign for this bra said ‘Fill My Cups’

Flower bra at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

This is Flower Power in a bra

Camera bra at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

Are you ready for the Man-Bra?

Men outfits at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

Would the man-bra look good with these outfits?

After the bra exhibit, I was ready for the weird and wild world of WOW

Game of Thrones at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

This is the showpiece at the entrance to the main exhibit

This Game of Thrones outfit sets the stage for the world of imagination.

Game of Thrones closeup at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

This is a close-up of the Game of Thrones jacket

Red scales of justice at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

The Scales of Justice takes centre stage

Scales of justice on stage at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

You can dance with the Scales of Justice on the WOW stage

Entering WOW competition sign at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

WOW has a Canadian connection

Winners can intern at Cirque du Soleil, the largest theatrical producer in the world. Cirque du Soleil was founded by two Canadian street performers in Montreal.

https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/

Black winged dress at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

Are you ready for the dark side of WOW?

Lamp shade dresses at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

These lampshade dresses remind me of the lampshade in A Christmas Story

Lampshade dresses on stage at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

These are the dancing lampshades at the WOW show

Rock Stars dresses at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

Dancing Rock Stars

This outfit reminds me of Ayers Rock in Australia

Heritage rocks dress at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

This heritage rock outfit is made of felt

Peacocking at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

‘Peacocking’ means dressing for attention

WOW if a cornucopia of peacocking outfits

Prom night at WOW for boomervoice

Are you ready for Prom Night at WOW?

skull hat at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

This is not the type of skull cap we wear in Canada in the winter

Green orb dress at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

I want to travel the world with my own orb

Masked goddess dress at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

This outfit reminds me of Hermes, the Greek messenger god

French Revolution dress at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

Dressed to  Kill

This is a history lesson in a dress

Black widow spider dress at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

Dressed to Kill

Is this a black widow spider?

Onyx gown of goat skin by US at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

This gown is made of goatskin

Is this Satyr, half human, half goat?

 

white snow dress at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

This is a dress of ice and snow, fit for a Snow Queen

White snow dress on stage at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

This is the Snow Queen on stage

white dress at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

Would this make a good wedding dress?

White bird dress at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

Can you fly if you dress up like a bird?

Wearable tech dress at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

This is a wearable tech dress

You can plug it in or light up the night with lithium ion batteries

Heavy metal dress at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

This dress defines ‘heavy metal’

This dress changes colours with reflected light

Three faces of eve at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

My name for this dress is ‘The Three Faces of Eve’

Jewellery dress at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

There’s no such thing as too much bling

Jewellery dress on stage at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

Bling takes Centre Stage at WOW

Stage group at WOW in NZ for boomervoice

The show is a wrap

WOW sign for boomervoice

Now you know why I loved WOW: World of Wearable Art

Rose Ann MacGillivray

World Heritage Traveller at BoomerVoice.ca
I love visiting World Heritage Sites, celebrating the world’s most fascinating places and cultures, and most of all, having fun on a trip. Join me on the road to fun and fascinating places. Thanks for reading – and remember to add your e-mail below for updates!
Rose Ann MacGillivray