The World of WearableArt Awards (WOW®) is an international design competition and theatrical spectacle that transforms art into performance. Created by Dame Suzie Moncrieff in 1987, the show invites artists from around the world to design works of wearable art, brought to life on stage through movement, music and storytelling.
Malia Johnston has been a leading Artistic Director and Choreographer for WOW since 2001, directing more than fifteen shows, including the 30th Anniversary season in 2018 and the productions from 2020 to 2025. Her long-standing collaborators include Rowan Pierce, who has designed AV content for multiple seasons, and Eden Mulholland, who has composed and directed original scores since 2020. Together, their creative partnership helps shape WOW’s signature blend of theatre, fashion, dance and technology.
Each year, WOW is performed to more than 60,000 people in Wellington, celebrating innovation and pushing the limits of imagination. It stands as one of Aotearoa’s most ambitious and exhilarating live productions, uniting art, design and performance on a global stage.
