Entries open for 10 Year Anniversary Wearable Creationz

Ten years on from the first Wearable Creationz event, more than 1000 wearable art entries have now been submitted, an estimated 10,000 people have been involved in the shows, and more than 12,000 tickets have been sold. And this year’s anniversary event promises to be even bigger and better than ever before.

Wearable Creationz began when three local people got together to put on a wearable arts-style fashion show called “Buskaid” to raise money for a group of South African musicians and orphans who had been stranded in New Zealand after a performing programme went wrong.

Entries for the 2012 10 Year Anniversary Wearable Creationz event are now open, and Rotorua Creative Art Trust chairperson, Barbara Cook, says the event has made a significant impact on the local community and it will continue to make a difference for young people and the wider region for many more years to come.

Last year entries were submitted from Rotorua, Tokoroa, Papamoa, Hamilton, Taupo and Whakatane.

“Wearable Creationz has become an important vehicle to showcase the talent of hundreds of people in our local communities – and particularly the talents of our young people,” says Mrs Cook.

“Wearable Creationz gives them a forum to develop their confidence and self-esteem, and every year we see them develop and really shine in front of their friends, family and wider community.”

Mrs Cook says members of the Trust and wider organising committee never cease to be amazed by the designs that are created, and more importantly, by the personal transformation that some of the young people make along the way.

“We remember one girl in particular who found it difficult to make eye contact with us when we first visited her at school – yet her ideas were fantastic. She just needed support to get her creation to a point that she could continue on her own and it was such an achievement for her. The next year she didn’t even need our support and she now looks us in the eye with confidence.

“When we visited another school, we found a group of girls working together to create an entry. Their team building was fantastic. At the end of that year, we were invited to attend the school’s end of year function because the Awards had such a positive effect, to the point where the group were all attending school regularly as a result. It transpired that entering the awards was one of their major achievements of that year.

“It is heart-warming stories like this that make it all worthwhile for us.”

This year’s Wearable Creationz event includes a Matinee show on Thursday 16 August, Gala Night on Friday 17 August and the final Awards Night on 18 August. Tickets will go on sale in May.

Entries are now open and close on Monday 18 June, with the design board and music due on 23 July. Entrants then need to be available in full costume for pre-judging in early August, rehearsals on 14 and 15 August and for the full Wearable Creationz shows on 16, 17 and 18 August.

“Although the closing date for entries is 18 June, the creation itself doesn't have to be completed until the pre-judging date on 4 and 5 August. Entrants have plenty of time to get their creative caps on!

“We have seen some phenomenal entries in previous years – some which are very complex, and others which are very simple but powerful. We can’t wait to see what is in store for us this year.”

There are five competition categories: Youth, Culture, Group Art, Enviro Art and Corporate, along with a non-competition entry for those aged 65 years and over – Golden Years, Creative Hats.

For further information about the categories, entries and Wearable Creationz, go to www.wearablecreationz.co.nz