Five Hawke's Bay designers are finalists at weirdly wonderful WOW show

Kate MacKenzie's 2014 Supreme Award winning design Poly Nation, which was based on the concept that if suitcases could talk they would have a lot to say. Photo / File

WOW is Wellington's annual fiesta showcasing the world's weird and wonderful fashion and this year five Hawke's Bay designers are involved.

The World of Wearable Arts, or WOW, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

Havelock North's Kate MacKenzie is a previous WOW supreme award winner and has two entries in the show this year.

The other Hawke's Bay entrants are Anna Grapes, Laurel Judd and pair Rhys Richards and Kelsey Roderick.

"I love the process, and you can never guarantee that you'll get in, but when it happens it just makes it all worthwhile," MacKenzie said.

Her garments are based on stories that inspire her.

"I like to focus on something that is current or topical in the world today," MacKenzie said.

"I try to come up with a subject that's a little bit gritty or topical.

"It's got to mean something."

Garments are kept strictly under wraps until opening night, so MacKenzie was unable to elaborate too much on her designs.

One, however, was based around the concept that men and women are wired differently.

This year is WOW's 30th anniversary, and MacKenzie says the show is a great platform for artists.

"It's a big show, and the fact that it's international, you can't help but feel enormous pride."

However it's creating the garment, rather than the show itself, that keeps her coming back for more.

"I've tried having a few years off but I keep getting ideas in my head and I just have to do it."

She won the supreme award in 2014 with her design Poly Nation.

The design was based on the concept that if suitcases could talk, they would probably have a lot to say.

There are 89 finalists in total, with 65 coming from New Zealand.