WOW first round judged in Nelson

The World of Wearable Arts took to the stage in Wellington this week and though Nelsonians may not have seen this year’s garments yet, they have all been modelled and judged by a panel right here in Nelson during the first round of judging.

A panel of judges including WOW founder Dame Suzie Moncrieff carried out closed judging in Nelson, which meant they knew the garment name, the inspiration behind the work of art, but not the designer details.

A spokesperson says what is known as first judging is a milestone event on the WOW calendar and takes place over three days in Nelson. Models in full hair and makeup show off the garments for the judging panel and their decisions determine which garments will be finalists.

Second and third judging happens in Wellington, close to the opening of the show and awards night, where second judging determines the prize winners and third judging the supreme winner.

Dame Suzie staged the first WOW Show in Nelson way back in 1987 as a promotion for the William Higgins Gallery at Spring Grove, before the show headed to the Trafalgar Centre and then Wellington. Dame Suzie and her sister and co-owner, Heather Palmer, sold the brand two years ago after three and a half decades.

But she is still judging the garments, in Nelson, before they are unveiled for the public as a theatrical stage show at the TSB Arena.