Indian students make waves at Brancott Estate WOW Awards Show

Design students from India have impressed the judges at this year’s Brancott Estate World of WearableArt™ (WOW) Awards Show in New Zealand, taking up the majority of finalist spots to be awarded from the country.

Now in its 23rd year, the Brancott Estate WOW Awards Show is renowned around the world for showcasing works of art designed to be worn on the human form.

Competition Director Heather Palmer attributes the surge of entries from students from India to the developing relationship between the Brancott Estate WOW Awards Show and India-based design schools.

“The WOW competition is being adopted by a growing number of tertiary institutions around the world as a practical project for arts and design students, as it’s a great opportunity for aspiring designers to gain experience and showcase their work on an international stage,” says Palmer.

“Over the last six years we have formed strong ties with the Fashion Design Council of India and have worked closely with them to coordinate Wearable Art as a subject in the design schools,” she says. “This year 10 out of the 17 entries from India were from students, so clearly Wearable Art as a design category is resonating with these young designers, and we intend to revisit the country every two years to continue to build on these numbers.”

Joining WOW Founder Suzie Moncrieff on the judging panel are New Zealand fashion designer Trelise Cooper and New Zealand artist Nigel Brown, who finished the first round of judging on June 12th.

Trelise Cooper says the number of interpretations to the different categories is fascinating, with designers providing many great surprises.

“This year, designers have been challenged to create a representation of New Zealand Icons; re-dress the groom; provide an interpretation of surrealism and of food; and give us a glimpse of what can be found under the microscope - they have more than met those challenges,” Cooper says.

“The surprises come in the topics chosen, the treatment of raw materials, and who has made the entry – of course designers and artists enter, but so do talented farmers, students, office workers and high school teachers, and husband and wife teams. Brancott Estate WOW Awards Show continues to be a show for everyone, today more so than ever.”

There will be two further judging rounds in August to decide the section winners and the overall Supreme winner. Winners will be announced at the show’s award night, Friday 26th August.

At this year’s Brancott Estate WOW Awards Shows ingenious designs will again be brought to life in a stunning choreographed performance featuring Royal New Zealand Ballet dancers.

Tickets are on sale now at http://worldofwearableart.com