From Audience Member to World of WearableArt Finalist: How One Show Reignited My Creativity
In September 2025, I walked into the World of WearableArt® (WOW) show for the very first time. I can't believe it took me that long. As someone who has always loved art, fashion, textiles and storytelling, it felt like I'd stumbled into the creative home I'd somehow never visited before.
I spent the entire evening wondering one thing:
"How on earth did somebody make that?"
What struck me wasn't just the scale of the costumes. It was the incredible balance between spectacle and craftsmanship. From the audience, each garment commands the stage with movement, light and presence. Yet before the show, visitors can view selected garments from previous years up close, revealing thousands of tiny details that might never be noticed from the audience.
Designing for WOW isn't simply about making something beautiful. It's about creating something that rewards both close inspection and theatrical performance.
I left completely inspired.
The Beginning of My WOW Journey
The night after the show, my brain wouldn't switch off. Ideas kept arriving faster than I could process them.
I started asking myself questions:
What materials could I use?
What story could I tell?
Which category would suit my style?
Could I actually do this?
Within days I was sketching concepts, researching materials and experimenting with construction methods. What began as curiosity quickly became a full-year creative obsession.
Hundreds of Hours Later...
I honestly couldn't tell you how many hours I spent making my garment. At least hundreds.
While most people relaxed with Netflix in the evenings, I was usually hand sewing.
My mannequin (Brabra) became a permanent resident in our lounge.
Every new technique led to another experiment. Every challenge taught me something new.
Rediscovering My Love of Textiles
Although I work professionally as a graphic designer and surface pattern designer, this project reconnected me with something much older.
When I was little, I wanted to become a fashion designer. Somewhere along the way that dream faded and creating for WOW brought it back.
This project reminded me how much I love working with textiles, sculptural materials and making things with my hands. It pushed me outside my comfort zone, taught me new skills, and gave me the confidence to start thinking beyond the screen. It's safe to say... I'll be back.
Becoming a World of WearableArt Finalist
I'm incredibly grateful to now be able to share that my garment has been selected as a 2026 World of WearableArt® Finalist.
For now, the garment itself remains under wraps until it appears on stage in Wellington. Part of the magic of WOW is experiencing these creations for the first time under the lights, exactly as they're intended to be seen. Keeping that surprise intact makes the moment even more special.
Thank You
A huge thank you goes to my incredibly patient partner and my five-year-old son, who spent the better part of a year living alongside a full-sized mannequin in our lounge.
Creative projects have a way of taking over the house. Thankfully, they never complained and their encouragement made this journey possible.
If You're Creative... Go.
Whether you're an artist, designer, illustrator, maker, engineer, sculptor, florist, costume designer or simply someone who loves creativity, I cannot recommend attending the World of WearableArt show enough.
You don't have to be interested in fashion. WOW sits somewhere between theatre, sculpture, engineering, storytelling and art installation. It stretches your imagination and reminds you what's possible when people are given permission to create without limits.
It certainly changed mine.
If you've ever found yourself creatively stuck...
Go.
You never know what might come home with you.
Learn More
You can learn more about the World of WearableArt Competition and Show or book tickets at the official website:
https://www.worldofwearableart.com
I'll be sharing more behind-the-scenes insights into my creative process after the 2026 show.