Linda Hall: WOW, what a stunning show

Hawke's Bay woman Kate Mackenzie with her two-part design Poly Nation which won the Supreme Award at the World of Wearable Art. Photo / Supplied

A sign in the window of a shoe shop on Wellington's Lambton Quay said it all: "WOW makes Lady Gaga look like a librarian".

So true. Friday night was my first WOW (World of Wearable art) Awards Show experience. I had heard lots about these awards, which began in Nelson and were this year celebrating their 10th show in Wellington.

I expected to be impressed and enjoy myself, but the show exceeded my expectations on every level.

My daughter bought me a ticket for my birthday way back in April, so we had been talking about it and counting down the months, the weeks and then the sleeps.

On Friday, we set out early, stopping in Otaki for lunch at a cute little place called Kiss and Bake Up.

We arrived in Wellington about 3pm, booked into our accommodation then went for a walk in the city.

The place was jammed packed with females, aged from 8 to 10 to who can tell.

They were shopping, laughing, talking, walking, drinking and eating.

You could almost feel the anticipation of the night's event in the air.

The show started at 8pm, we walked down to the waterfront just before 7pm. It was incredible. Groups of women and a scattering of men were all headed to the TSB Bank Arena on Queen's Wharf.

There were women in dresses, skirts, trousers, track pants, jeans, high heels, low heels and sneakers.

I didn't see anyone in gumboots but that doesn't mean there weren't any. It was amazing, and the chatter and laughter was contagious.

We didn't have any idea where we would be seated but were pleasantly surprised to be three rows from the front, on the left-hand side of the stage.

Then the show began and I was totally mesmerised.

I didn't know where to look.

There was action above us as, in front of us and to both sides. We were close enough to see the incredible detail that had gone into the outfits.

I can't really describe it any better than the woman who was sitting directly behind us, who said "wow that is amazing" about 90 times.

She was right. It was amazing but it was so much more than an awards show. It was the best entertainment I've ever seen.

The bizarre bra section was my favourite. It was upbeat and fun, and I wanted to get up and dance.

And of course, the icing on the cake was that the supreme winner for 2014 was from Hawke's Bay.

Kate MacKenzie's entry Poly Nation, made from leather and cardboard suitcases, is extraordinary.

The awards had already been announced but at the end of the show they were read out again, and I felt so proud when they said Kate MacKenzie from New Zealand.

I really felt like standing up and yelling out ... "Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, actually."

The first show was on September 25 and the show we saw was the final. I spoke to a few people on the night who had been to every show, and they agreed 2014 was the best yet.

Congratulations to every single person involved with this WOW 2014, especially Kate. You have "wowed" thousands of people. I'll be dropping a few hints about next year's birthday present. Perhaps when I'm asked what I want for my birthday I'll just say: "WOW, I don't really now need anything."

• Linda Hall is assistant editor at Hawke's Bay Today