Cultural Narratives and Craft Converge in the 2025 World of WearableArt Competition

Wellington’s extravagant World of WearableArt is back for 2025, including pieces by 85 finalists that showcase today’s most elaborate and fanciful costumes. One hundred designers from 17 countries competed for a prize pool of more than $200,000 New Zealand dollars across 25 awards. The competition culminates in an elaborate performance, with this year’s top honor, known as the WOW Supreme Award, handed to design duo Dawn Mostow and Ben Gould.

The U.S.-based designers have been finalists several times since 2017, and this marks their first win. Mostow and Gould’s piece “Tsukumogami” draws on Mostow’s time living in Japan, nodding to the country’s folklore and craft traditions through a reference to mythological tools that can be imbued with a spirit, or a kami. Two figures completely covered in blue-and-white latex stand like elaborate classical vases, with ikebana flower arrangements on their heads.

This year’s runner-up is Fifi Colston’s “Meine Erste Liebe,” a title which means “my first love” in German. The wearer is transformed into a medusa, with an elaborate bodice and globular headdress, plus an elaborate, bell-like skirt embellished with detailed jellyfish.

2025 World of WearableArt Show: RISE performances continue through October 5 at TSB Arena in Wellington. Explore more, including an archive of pieces from earlier shows, on the contest’s website.

elaborate costumes inspired by blue-and-white vases, worn by two performer on stage — Dawn Mostow and Ben Gould (United States), “Tsukumogami”

an elaborate costume with a globe-like headpiece, worn by a performer on stage — Fifi Colston (New Zealand), “Meine Erste Liebe”

two glowing, blue, elaborate costume worn by performers on stage — Evita Camilleri and Dan Draper (Australia), “Fractilians”

an elaborate costume of an eagle-like creature representing fall, worn by a performer on stage — Catherine Anderton (New Zealand), “Autumn King”

an elaborate costume in geometric black-and-white forms, worn by a performer on stage — Vanshika Jain (Indian Institute of Art and Design, India), “Stripy Mischief”

an elaborate costume worn by a performer on stage, glowing under black light — Katherine Bertram (New Zealand), “Drift”

an elaborate costume worn by a performer on stage — Abhishek Chauhan (India), “Thaliora”

an elaborate costume with Japanese writing on the fabric, glowing under black light, worn by a performer on stage — Tracey Murphy and Isabel Costley (New Zealand), “See Me in Tokyo”

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