Tauranga-born designer Georgia Chalmers-Jones will see her ‘baby’ on the world stage in Wellington with her creation chosen as a finalist for this year’s World of Wearable Arts show.

The futuristic 2023 World of Wearable Art Show: Beyond, is set to be one of the brightest, biggest and boldest of WOW shows to date.

A total of 120 designers from 23 countries have been selected as finalists for the show’s 33rd iteration.

Among them is Georgia, who works in the film and TV industry, who has never entered WOW before.

Discovering her creation had made the cut, Georgia says: “I was pretty ecstatic…there was even a tear in my eye”.

‘My everything’

Taking two months and time off work to bring her design to life, Georgia refers to her piece as her ‘baby’. “I’m just really excited to have a piece to call my own. I’ve always made pieces for a designer and for other people and their vision…this is the first time it’s my idea and my everything.”

While it’s hush hush on designs until competition time, Georgia hinted at her WOW creation – her piece is inspired by a book called ‘Game of Queens’ by Sarah Gristwood.

“It’s a historical book based on women of the 16th Century and how their different reigns impacted history.” Georgia says the book also highlights how royal woman “would use clothing to make a visual impact to show their power and majesty.”

Pushing boundaries

Her piece also takes inspiration from men’s armour at the time and is made 80 per cent of crafting leather, with resin and foil gold used also. “I’ve done leather work in the past, but with this one I am taking the rules of leather and pushing it as far as they can go.”

 “I’m excited to see it in the [WOW] space, lit up amongst other people’s creations.”

WOW’s winner will be announced at the 2023 WOW Show Awards Night on Friday, September 22. The WOW show season runs September 20-October 8.  

For tickets, visit: www.worldofwearableart.com