World of WearableArt

Overview

One of the biggest cultural events in New Zealand and a juggernaut of the global art world, World of WearableArt (WOW), is just over a month away from its 2026 return. The 18-day-long season brings together artists, theatre practitioners, dancers, textile artists, audio-visual wizards and creative visionaries from across the globe to pull off one of the world's biggest design competitions and fashion shows.

For Wellington locals, you can't miss it, what with the annual displays and collateral; but for Australian art aficionados, it's the perfect reason to book a trip across the ditch this spring.

In WOW, designers are challenged to take art off the walls and festoon the human form with it. Whatever approach they take, it's creativity at its purest. The judging criteria are broad, and the only limitations given to entrants are purely logistical. There's an open section though, so really there are no limits to what entrants will pull out of their bag.

World of WearableArt

At the event's core is the design competition, open to anyone aged over 18. Entrants can take inspiration from six themes: bizarre bra, metallic, kinetic, Aotearoa, avant-garde and open. Finalists will then take part in the legendary show, putting their pieces on stage in front of thousands. This year's show theme is GLO! — so expect vibrancy. Those finalists could then win one of 25 awards, including the Supreme WOW Award, Sustainability Award, Wēta Workshop Outstanding Design Award and Accor Live Limitless First-Time Entrant Award.

If you're travelling in from Australia or elsewhere in Aotearoa, Accor is an ideal choice for accommodation. You can choose from over 45 hotels across New Zealand, with multiple options near the WOW action in Wellington. You'd better book WOW tickets sooner rather than later, and booking on ALL.com for Accor's membership perks and rates is the icing on the cake to make a good Wellington trip into a great one.

World of WearableArt returns to TSB Arena in Wellington from Thursday, September 17 to Sunday, October 4. For more information on the festival, visit the website. To book your ideal accommodation, visit the All Accor website.

Lead image: World of WearableArt. Earthling, Gill Saunders, New Zealand