This week should see an influx of visitors in town to WOW and be WOWed at the Montana Wearable Arts Awards being held at TSB Arena from the 22nd of September until the 5th of October.

The show was Nelson's baby for 16 years but shifted to Wellington in 2005 because, according to WOW founder Suzie Moncrieff, "We knew we needed to be in a city with more production opportunities, audiences, corporate partners and an international airport."

Around two-thirds of the show's ticket-holders are out-of-towners and the press releases fired off all around the world make interesting reading.

Dipping into the Thai press release, you get a taste of the international fusion flava on offer this year:

"Taksinee Chuensodsai and Kiangsi Luekiatanan, from Bangkok took on the considerable challenge to incorporate Maori (New Zealand) tribal tattoos into their garment, All Together. The young designers wanted to reveal, "layers of stories and hidden messages demonstrated through Maori vs Western art." The finished creation requires two models to bring it to life on stage."

This event most certainly is not just a fashion show, with performance arts of all kinds taking centre stage along side the wearable art. These are no mere models, trying their best to look gaunt and bored; for the most part they are trained dancers lead by the well regarded NZ choreographer Malia Johnson.

The total WOW crew numbers over 400, including two wardrobe technicians tasked with the quick changes necessary for the show, at least 15 people at the Wellington City Council and Positively Wellington overseeing the planning, coordinating and promoting the event, and a plethora of people manning (and womaning) the lighting rigs, applying make-up, and – let's not forget - pouring drinks.

Tickets are sold out to all WOW shows, but that doesn't mean you'll miss out. The Wellington City Council has organised the Montana WearableArt Wander, displaying classic WOW pieces from previous years around the inner city. Check out the map here [PDF].

Robyn and I will be attending the award show tonight where the winners will be announced. We will be twittering results and observations for those who are interested and posting our unvarnished rundown of events tomorrow.

Photo: 2008 Montana World of WearableArt Awards Show Opening Night Image
Tubular Belle, Ann Skelly, Wellington
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