Described by Sam Brooks in The Spinoff as the largest catwalk show in the world, an art exhibition blown up to epic proportions, and the closest New Zealand gets to Broadway, the spectacular World of Wearable Arts opened on Friday in Pōneke.
RNZ Culture 101 went to the big opening awards night, featuring musicians Deva Mahal and Zoe Moon; performing artists Taiaroa Royal and Jaxson Cook, and DJ Aroha. So, how does this year’s show and winning works shape up?
Groundbreaking, a 2023 World of Wearable Art entry by Kristy and David Kirkpatrick. Photo: Stephen A'Court
Mark Amery is joined by artist, writer and designer Fifi Colston. Last year Colston was Supreme WOW Award Runner-up and Aotearoa Section Winner with Dunedin artist Bruce Mahalski. Their winning work was created from bones and inspired by the Central Otago landscape and rabbit holes.
Fifi Colston's WOW entry 2023 is called Pupu Rangi’s Feast Photo: 2023 Mark Tantrum
Fifi has entered an incredible 27 times, and 2023 has been no different. This year’s costume is called ‘Pupu Rangi’s Feast’, featuring a giant snail making its way across a brassiere.
She speaks with Culture101’s Mark Amery.
Photo: Stephen A'Court
