---
title: WOW® World of WearableArt™
date: 2017-02-18T00:00:00-05:00
author: Caroline Herr
canonical_url: "https://www.pem.org/exhibitions/wow-world-of-wearableart"
section: Exhibitions
---
![WOW® World of WearableArt](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/exWOW_3600_01.jpg)

 Past Exhibition

# WOW® World of WearableArt™

 

On view February 18, 2017 to June 11, 2017

 [Become a member](/membership) 

 

 

 

Today's hours:

10 am–5 pm

 

 

 

Monday

10 am–5 pm

 

Tuesday

Closed

 

Wednesday

Closed

 

Thursday

10 am–5 pm

 

Friday

10 am–5 pm

 

Saturday

10 am–5 pm

 

Sunday

10 am–5 pm

 

 

 

 

 

## Designers, textile artists and makers of all stripes to explore the boundary between fashion and art.

 

For the last 25 years, New Zealand has hosted an annual design competition that challenges sculptors, costume designers, textile artists and makers of all stripes to explore the boundary between fashion and art, and to "get art off the walls and onto the body." The *WOW® World of WearableArtTM* competition is the country's largest art event and each year it culminates in a live runway show for winners in front of an audience of 50,000.

WOW® World of WearableArtTM — the exhibition — presents 32 ensembles the competition's most unique, spectacular and outlandish wearable artworks. Expertly crafted in a range of materials, from wood and aluminum to fiberglass and taxidermy, these creations celebrate lavish creativity and push the limits of wearability. PEM is the exclusive U.S. east coast venue for this interactive and theatrical exhibition.

Share your impressions with us on social media using #PEMwow.

*WOW® World of WearableArtTM* is presented in partnership with the New Zealand government. Carolyn and Peter S. Lynch and The Lynch Foundation provided generous support. The East India Marine Associates of the Peabody Essex Museum also provided support.

**Media Partners**  
*The Boston Globe* and WBUR, Boston's NPR news station

 

 

 

## Keep exploring

 

 

 

 

 ![PEM Celebrates a Century of Iris Apfel](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/Press_VCelebratesIris100_1800_Share.jpg)

Exhibition

Fashion & Design

 

Closed May 18–August 1, 2026

 [Learn more](https://www.pem.org/exhibitions/fashion-and-design) 

 

 

 

 

 

 ![Native Fashion Now](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/ex_NativeFashionNow_1800_Share.jpg)

Past Exhibition

Native Fashion Now

 

November 21, 2015 to March 6, 2016

 [Learn more](https://www.pem.org/exhibitions/native-fashion-now) 

 

 

 

 

 

 ![A Word with Gio Swaby](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/BlogAWordGio_1700_share_01.jpg)

Blog

A Word with Gio Swaby

 

8 min read

 [Read now](https://www.pem.org/blog/a-word-with-gio-swaby) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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