-
Watch Video
A 17th Century ball gown made entirely from wood has picked up the top prize at the Wearable Art Awards.
Alaskan carpenter David Walker won a $25,000 prize package for his garment entitled Lady of the Wood.
The dress is made of mahogany and lacewood with 52 strips of maple and cedar veneer for the hooped skirt and a wig made from wood shavings.
Walker says he's been working with wood in wearable art for about seven years, and enjoys creating items that have never been seen before.
"I've always considered myself a craftsman, not necessarily an artist," he says of his work.
He says the winning item took two years to complete between spending time with his wife and kids, a full-time Job on the maintenance team at the University of Alaska and other hobbies.
"I don't know how he did it quite frankly.. it's a very exquisite piece of work.. very scupltural," says WOW founder Susie Moncrieff.
Along with supreme award, the gown won the avant garde section.
Judge Max Patte said Walker's design was a "beautifully executed" original design which worked on every level.
"Once again, it raises the game and expectations for next year's WOW."
Designers entered 165 garments in seven sections: graffiti art, magic gardens, super heroes, dancing cowboys, charming creatures from the dark and a parallel universe.
Moncrieff says there was no sign of a recession at the awards show, with 37 designers from all over the world attending.
"It was very exciting for an international designer to win, reflecting how truly global the event has become."
First time Wellington entrants, Hayley May and Fiona Christie were runners-up in the supreme award and won the creative excellence section, themed fold, with their intricate garment, Second Skin.
The piece, designed by the film-maker and architect, resembled a reptile as it sheds its skin.
Timaru artist Sarah Thomas won the Weta award for the second year as well as the open section with her piece, American Dream, modelled on the 1950s car.
Other awards went to designers from New Zealand, India, the United States and the United Kingdom.
Music and comedy duo The Topp Twins performed, as did hip-hop dance group Legacy artist and percussion group Strike.
The full list of winners:
Supreme: Lady Of The Wood, David Walker, United States.
Runner up: Second Skin, Hayley May and Fiona Christie, Wellington.
First time entrant award: Lagarus Ovatus En Masse, Catherine Anderton, Wellington.
Student design: Bound, Gina Digirolamo and Lindsey Eisentraut, United States.
Sustainability: Queen Adelaide, Emma Whiteside, Wellington.
International: Saddle Up, Mary Wing To, United Kingdom.
Weta: American Dream, Sarah Thomas, Timaru.
WOW factor: Firebird, Susan Holmes, Auckland.
Children: The Dandelion Clock, Tracey Koole, Auckland.
Illumination illusion: Into Thin Air, Marie Gant Roxburgh, Christchurch.
Man unleashed: Sir Lazyboy, Cassandra Bowe, Nelson.
Open section: American Dream, Sarah Thomas, Timaru.
South Pacific: Rock On In The Shadowlands, Janet Bathgate, Nelson.
Avant garde: Lady Of The Wood, David Walker, United States.
Creative excellence: Second Skin, Hayley May & Fiona Christie, Wellington.
