The World of WearableArt Show 2014

Overview

The World of WearableArt Show has come a long way since its Nelson launch in 1987. Back in the days when art was exclusively displayed on walls, Suzie Moncieff was struck by inspiration; why not take art off the walls and instead exhibit the works on people?

She created her first wearable arts show from nothing but this inspiration and $1000 prize money she had won from a competition in a local Nelson cafe. The audience of 200 lined up under a marquee whilst the heavens opened and saturated Nelson with the heaviest downfall since 1930, but this didn't stop the show from going ahead. Artists didn't quite grasp the concept of wearable art in the first show, instead opting to dress models in colourful knits and tie dye. But despite this slight setback, the event made the news and encouraged Suzie to try again.

27 years on, and the WearableArt show has become a national event. The move to Wellington  in 2004 meant a bigger stage, a bigger audience and a bigger show. The event is now less of a catwalk for brightly coloured knits, and instead an extravaganza featuring fashion, art, dance and theatre. Models wearing insane avante garde pieces now perform to an audience of 50 000 in New Zealand’s largest arts event. 150 weird and wonderful garments will take the stage in the two hour spectacle that is rumoured to top even last years massive sold-out show.