A Paraparaumu multimedia artist was among 122 national and international designers to secure a spot as a finalist in this year's World of WearableArt (WOW).
Rebecca Bond entered the renowned international design competition for her seventh year, with her sophisticated red and black creation, Hangups.
The garment was among 300 successful entries and then 104 finalists after the third round of judging, and is on display at Wellington's TSB Bank Arena until Sunday, October 8.
In its 29th year, WOW featured designers from 44 countries, who competed for 37 awards. Although Rebecca did not receive an award, she was proud to have reached a finalist spot in a show of such calibre.
"As an artist, getting into the finals of such a prestigious event gives me weight as a designer."
This year, WOW judges included WOW founder Dame Suzie Moncrieff, fashion designer and artist Kerrie Hughes, artist Michel Tuffery, Weta Workshop's Sir Richard Taylor, Cirque du Soleil's Valerie Desjardins and David Jones' Teneille Ferguson.
The judging process included garments being assessed in detail, as well as for their performance on stage.
As part of the event, Rebecca was invited to attend a Designers Day at the TSB Arena, which was held the day before the WOW awards evening.
"It was a wonderful opportunity to meet other designers.
"For me, entering WOW can feel isolating so being amongst like minded people felt comforting and inspiring."
As part of the Designers Day, she witnessed what happens behind the scenes of the large-scale event.
"The work that goes into putting WOW together is astounding.
"We did a few workshops and one in particular was run by Weta, which is always a highlight for me."
Rebecca described Hangups, which is made entirely of coat hangers, as having elegance in its simplicity.
"I've completely undermined the coat hangers as, instead of them carrying the garment, they've become the garment.
"I named it Hangups because its story represents the fake selfie-obsessed, social media world we live in.
"We seem to be receding further away from the true essence of beauty, the unfiltered bits - the real bits.
"Really though, it's our imperfections and rawness that connects us at a deeper level."
This year, her environmentally focused works will be displayed as part of the Kapiti Arts Trail, at Kapiti's Whitireia campus.
In between prep and working towards her jewellery business, Rebecca is also co-ordinator of local art group Art Studio, run at the Kapiti Community Centre for Kapiti artists with intellectual disabilities.
Currently nearing the completion of an Advanced Diploma in Art and Creativity, through the Learning Connexion, Rebecca is a self-described born artist.
"I have fond memories of art from a young age.
"I remember making puppets and costumes with my brother and sister and putting on shows for my parents.
"My mother went so far as to make actual curtains dividing our family room, which we could draw back as we announced the show was to begin.
"We all knew how to play instruments too, so they were often musicals.
"I grew up in a household where creativity was welcomed and embraced."