World of WearableArt's 'GLO!' Show in Wellington Awards Top Prize to Kayla Christensen

Kayla Christensen of New Zealand won the top prize at this year's World of WearableArt competition, titled GLO!, for a draped floral garment called "Sacred Nightfall" that references Indigenous ceremonial cloaks. The multimedia competition, founded in 1987, invites entrants worldwide to sew and sculpt ambitious garments, and its annual New Zealand staging blends avant-garde style, technology, and performance. Performances of GLO! run through October 4 at TBS Arena in Wellington. Among other recognized works are "Enchantress" by Ashish Dhaka and an iridescent insect piece by Katherine Bertram. Additional featured garments include Glenda Hape's "Te Whare Eke Nei," Zhiqian Li's "Hen," Lisa Newsome's "Platinum," Deborah H Carter and Ariel Biagini's "Ringing Off the Hook," Vasemaca Tavola and Czarina Wilson's "MOTHER VAKA," and Shing Hei's "My Ugly Duckling." Entries range from culturally rooted designs to nature, futurism, and chimerical themes, with many works noted as technically impressive. More information is available on the program's website.