Poly Nation, is made from 13 leather and cardboard suitcases and took nine months to construct. Though the finer details may have been lost on audience members, they are what set her apart from 165 other competitors, including those from Wellington's Weta Workshop.
The entry appealed to judges due to its inclusive cultural message.
Everything was considered, from navy-striped satin suitcase lining used to make the sleeves of her female garment, to luggage tags which hung from a "cape" worn by her male model, that were printed with the names and addresses of New Zealand immigrants.
She entered and won the South Pacific category, focusing on tourism, with her garments encompassing both Maori and European-style designs.
Mrs MacKenzie was inspired by the idea that if suitcases could talk they would carry stories of travel, culture and integration. It symbolises the people who are drawn to New Zealand, carrying new ideas and beliefs, ready to put down roots.
The mother of three was working full-time when she designed and created Poly Nation, but was later made redundant from her role as Hawke's Bay Opera House marketing manager.
"I was fitting it in where I could, working after hours and on weekends ... It's been an up and down year for us,"
The prize money, $24,000 in total, would allow her to "get out of the office" and pay attention to her passion for painting.
Winning the overall prize had come as a "total shock" for the artist, who first entered on the suggestion of some friends.
"It was huge, I seriously didn't expect to win. I said to my husband when they announced the runner-up, that I was disappointed it wasn't me, I thought there was no way I could compete with Weta designers."
WOW founder Dame Suzie Moncrieff said Poly Nation fittingly represented New Zealand's identity as a melting pot of cultures.
"This garment clearly symbolises the baggage they bring with them in terms of culture, belief systems and ideas."
