New Zealand's Wearable Art Show Celebrates 40 Years

New Zealand's most theatrical fashion show is turning 40, and it's going bigger than ever before.

World of WearableArt (WOW) will open a massive new exhibition at Wellington's Tākina Convention and Exhibition Centre in August 2027. The immersive experience features more than 50 garments that blur the line between clothing and sculpture, from early groundbreaking pieces to recent award winners from around the globe.

The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of how these extraordinary garments come to life. You'll follow each piece's journey from initial sketch to final stitches to the stage of New Zealand's largest theatrical show.

WOW Chief Executive Meg Williams calls it their most ambitious project yet. "The exhibition gives visitors of all ages the chance to get up close to WOW's award-winning wearable art collection and go behind the scenes in a deeper way than ever before," she says.

The timing celebrates a major milestone. WOW's annual show hits its 40th anniversary in 2027, marking four decades of showcasing creativity that transforms fabric into theater.

The last WOW exhibition at Te Papa attracted 39,000 visitors in Wellington alone. When the show toured internationally, it reached 650,000 people worldwide, proving that wearable art speaks a universal language.

The Ripple Effect

The exhibition represents more than just creative celebration. Investment from New Zealand's Major Events Fund will boost tourism across the region, bringing international and domestic visitors to Wellington.

Wellington designed the exhibition experience through local firm Gibson International. The city's partnership with WOW spans two decades, cementing Wellington's reputation as New Zealand's arts and culture capital.

Tourism Minister Louise Upston says the show delivers economic benefits while showcasing Kiwi innovation. "The WOW exhibition will showcase Kiwi creativity and innovation on display to international audiences, and share New Zealand stories on the world stage," she notes.

Wellington Mayor Andrew Little emphasizes how WOW attracts visitors and supports the creative sector year after year. The exhibition runs as an Australasian exclusive from mid-August through October 2027.

After 40 years of turning heads and dropping jaws, WOW proves that art you can wear never goes out of style.