Entrants announced for Wearable Arts Awards

Designers from as far afield as Kerikeri to Kumara are among the 150 international finalists in the 2005 Montana World of Wearable Arts Awards (WOW), it was announced today.

Thirty-nine international designers have also been selected for the prestigious event, with a $100,000 prize pool, which opens in Wellington on September 23.

Auckland fashion designer Liz Mitchell, Wellington artist Michel Tuffery and Nelson's Sally Burton, along with WOW creator Suzie Moncrieff, pared an original 300 entries down to just half in one weekend earlier this month.

While the successful designers have now been told of their inclusion, secrecy still surrounds their entries, and publication of any details or images of entries would result in automatic disqualification, organisers warned.

Nelson, which has been home to WOW since its inception 18 years ago until this year, has fielded the highest number of local finalists, with 30 making the final cut.

Fifteen finalists are from Auckland, 17 from Wellington, 13 from Christchurch, and two each from Hamilton, Wanganui and Southland.

Single entries have also been accepted from Taupo, Thames, Whangamata, Whitianga, Hastings, Kerikeri, West Coast (Kumara), Lower Hutt, Morrinsville, Motueka, Mt Manganui, Pahiatua, Picton, New Plymouth, Upper Takaka and Takaka.

- NZPA