Wellington’s Love Affair with WOW Continues to Blossom

The Wellington region embraced the 30th edition of the World Of WearableArt Awards show with more businesses than ever before being involved in activities around the event.

Release time : 2018-12-05 10:50:17

source : Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency

Source: 699pic.com

The Wellington region embraced the 30th edition of the World Of WearableArt Awards show with more businesses than ever before being involved in activities around the event.

The Welly Loves WOW Window Dressing Competition this year had 92 participants, an increase of 24 per cent over 2017. Retailers were spread across the region with 13 in the Hutt Valley (including 10 on Jackson St), seven in the Wairarapa, and one in Churton Park.

The Welly Loves WOW Menus, where local eateries created WOW-inspired gourmet treats, had 43 participating outlets, a 34 per cent increase on last year.

There was also the WOW Wander, 12 installations throughout the city which featured garments from the World of WearableArt historical collection, and 16 extraordinary works of wearable art in displays created with Massey University College of Creative Arts students and exhibition design company, Workshop e.

Around 1000 photos were shared via social media in the #WellyLovesWOW competition which featured snaps of people taken with the temporary WOW waterfront sign. The competition was introduced last year when there were around 600 photo entries.

And a new competition this year, WOW Edible Art, attracted 16 participants who created a range of inspired artworks good enough to ingest: from cocktails and main courses to chocolate delights and even a starry night-themed cupcake.

WREDA’s Events and Experiences General Manager Warrick Dent says it’s no surprise the lure of WOW continues to grow even after 30 years.

“WOW is worth about $25 million a year to the regional economy but its impact is much more than that.

“It significantly adds to Wellington’s reputation as an engaged, vibrant and arts-focused city with its influence overflowing onto the streets of regional Wellington where it’s being increasingly embraced.

“Wellington remains a great place to host events and if you wanted to find an example of why that is, you need