Brancott Estate WOW Awards Show finalists from China more than double

The number of finalists from China for the 2011 Brancott Estate World of WearableArt™ (WOW) Awards Show in New Zealand has more than doubled from last year.

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 in entries to relationship building between Brancott Estate WOW Awards Show and tertiary institutions in China.

“Last year we visited Shanghai to promote the WOW competition, and we worked closely with universities in the region to showcase Wearable Art as a tangible project for students and aspiring designers,” says Palmer.

“The jump in entries from China this year indicates the strategy is working,” she says. “All of the garments came from Shanghai, and five of the new entries came from Donghua University (formally China Textile University), which was one of the universities we visited, so it is rewarding to see these talented young designers fully committing themselves to the exciting challenge that WOW presents.”

Palmer says WOW will continue to maintain links with China and are planning to extend their geographical reach there over the next few years.

“There are more universities and design schools based outside Shanghai that we want to talk to, because we believe entering the world’s top wearable art contest is a fantastic opportunity for international students, so we will look at returning to China in the near future.”

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

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. 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.

Tickets are on sale now at worldofwearableart.com