WELLINGTON, New Zealand, Oct. 1, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Described as "a rebellion against the mundane", the Montana World of WearableArt(TM) (WOW(R)) Awards Show bends traditional perceptions of both art and fashion by choreographing garments into an extravaganza that blasts all the senses and uplifts the spirit. Bob Haven, professor in Costume Technology from the University of Kentucky summed up WOW(R), "Athletes have the Olympics, actors have the Oscars, musicians have the Grammies, and designers and costume creators have WOW(R)".
The 21st Montana WOW(R) Awards were announced on Friday, September 25th after 165 incredible garments graced the stage across seven unique sections in and around graffiti art, magic gardens, super heroes, dancing cowboys, charming creatures from the dark and a parallel universe. "There was no sign of a recession with designers from all over the planet ascending on New Zealand to see their garments come to life on the catwalk," said Suzie Moncrieff, WOW(R) Founder and Director. "It was very exciting for an American designer to win, reflecting how truly global the event has become."
The Supreme Montana WOW(R) Award went to David Walker from Alaska for his sensational, 17th Century ball gown Lady Of The Wood. The Alaskan artist created the piece entirely out of mahogany and lacewood with 52 strips of maple and cedar veneer for the hooped skirt, topped off with a glamorous wig made out of wood shavings. A carpenter by trade, Walker has been creating WearableArt(TM) for ten years and can't get enough of the Montana WOW(R) Awards Show, attending for the third year in a row and scooping the highly coveted WETA Award in 2007. Lady Of The Wood was also winner of the Tourism New Zealand Avant Garde Section. "I'd like to thank (Montana) WOW(R) for giving me the opportunity to exhibit my work to the world," said Walker.
Human hair and the mystique of the horse was the inspiration behind Mary Wing To's garment, Saddle Up -- winner of the 2009 Wellington International Award and commended in the Tourism New Zealand Avant Garde Section. The saddler from Enfield, United Kingdom had to cut, stain, mould, lace and stitch each piece of leather by hand, then weave silk and human hair around them and says she has been reviving the craftsmanship of saddlery through design, "using the body as the canvas and leather as the art." Wing To traveled to Wellington for the second time to receive her esteemed award.
Gina Digirolamo and Lindsey Eisentraut from San Francisco, USA were winners of the Shell Student Design Award. Their very compelling piece, Bound, had two models in austere garments eternally bound by the wrists. "This work represents our connection to the earth and each other -- one human tribe plus our isolation and encapsulation as individuals," said Digirolamo.
The line up of high calibre judges for 2009 were British born, Associate Royal Sculptor Max Patte, fashion designer and savvy businesswoman, Annah Stretton, Suzie Moncrieff and Mr. Tsai Kang Yung, who judged the Wellington International Award. Oscar winning film-maker, Richard Taylor of WETA Workshop judged the Special WETA Award for the garment that best crossed the boundaries of film and WearableArt(TM).
The Montana WOW(R) Awards Show is one of Tourism New Zealand's top attractions and this year 37 International designers and over 100 global media descended on Wellington to attend.
Esteemed BBC correspondent Michael Peschardt said, after seeing the show, "I've seen major cultural and fashion shows around the world and this is unlike anything I've ever witnessed before."
For further information, including imagery please refer to the on-line media room at www.worldofwearableart.com or e-mail Loren Aberhart, Media Liaison media@worldofwearableart.com or phone: +64 21 2753 853
When publishing content, please ensure you refer to the show as the Montana World of WearableArt(TM) Awards Show which can then be truncated to the Montana WOW(R) Awards Show.
* Montana Wines from New Zealand are avid supporters of creativity,
and are the naming partner of the WOW(R) Awards Show.