A STITCH IN TIME
A show of this scale can’t go without a hitch. In 2015, a metre-long zip broke minutes before a model walked on stage. Two wardrobe technicians had to pull their needles out and literally sew the model into the garment in less than a minute.
In 2007, Lynn Christiansen, now a regular entrant from the US, entered WOW for the first time. She had to travel with her two garments, “Swiss Maid” and “Double Chocolate Decadence”, via Australia. Going through customs, she was held up when officials thought the garments were real chocolate.
With such a big cast, WOW competition director Heather Palmer says there is always a risk that someone will fall ill before or during the show. Two years ago, when a model got sick at the last minute, WOW had to call on one of its choreographers, who was sitting in the audience. Initially, he didn’t believe the summons but got on stage just in time.
“He looked amazing. Choreographers are always on standby for this type of thing but the tight turnaround was a little too tight,’’ she says.
Each garment is individually
choreographed; the models – 38 adult models this year – spend six weeks rehearsing to get into the character of the garment. The models have to read the designer’s written notes about what inspired the costume.
Not everyone can model for WOW – the event has a minimum height requirement of 1.7m for females and 1.78m for males. “Garments come in a variety of heights and shapes and it is our job to select the best model performer to showcase that garment,’’ Palmer says.
Connecting with Cirque du Soleil: I’ve been a huge admirer of Cirque du Soleil for years. I told the WOW board that I wanted to go to Montreal and knock on the door, and I did that. It was such a coup to get the one-month residency – a rare thing – that began in 2015 for one winning designer. My job as a judge is the hardest thing. In the early years there was one clear winner, and now there are several who could win the supreme award. We’ve reached the standard now that I have always aspired to.
The World of WearableArt Awards show is at TSB Arena, Wellington, from September 27 to October 14.