"The Digital Seam: Tradition, Technology, Wearable Art brings together a selection of World of WearableArt™ (WOW) finalist garments, including iconic Bizarre Bras and full stage costumes. Created by 7designers from Aotearoa and beyond, these works were originally conceived for the spectacle of the runway. Here, they are presented as objects of research, process, and material exploration.
This exhibition emerges from the study The Digital Seam: Blending Tradition and Innovation – How Digital Tools Are Reshaping Traditional Textile Practices within Wearable Art. The research revealed that contemporary wearable art is not defined by technology alone, but by hybrid practices that combine digital tools with traditional craft techniques.
Many designers continue to value hand processes for their tactile, cultural, and emotional qualities, while others incorporate digital technologies to achieve precision, efficiency, and complex structural forms. Rather than replacing traditional methods, digital tools often sit alongside them, creating a dialogue between past and future, hand and machine.
The garments on display reflect this intersection. Some are rooted in intricate handcraft, others in digitally assisted construction, and many occupy the space between. Together, they highlight ongoing conversations around authenticity, value, sustainability, accessibility, and the evolving definition of craftsmanship in wearable art.
By presenting these works within an educational setting, the exhibition invites students and audiences to look beyond spectacle and consider the processes, materials, and ideas behind each piece. It encourages reflection on how emerging technologies can coexist with traditional practices, shaping new possibilities for creative expression." Anne-Marie Simon
Béatrice is an interdisciplinary artist with a French fashion design background. She has been 10 years/10 times finalist of New Zealand World of WearableArt 2010-2019 and won 2 Awards 2010 and 2012.
Marquise Rāwahi, Award winner WOW South Pacific Section 2012, detail
