New Zealand designer wins Supreme WOW Award

29 Sep 2026

Sacred Nightfall, an intricately hand-painted garment, has won over the judges and been awarded the 2026 Supreme WOW award at this year’s World of WearableArt (WOW) show in Wellington.

The garment’s creator, New Zealand designer, Kayla Christensen, spent a year-and-a-half planning and designing the award-winning piece, saying: “It gave me goosebumps, seeing it come alive on stage.”

Sacred Nightfall summons an ethereal night goddess from the deep native forests of New Zealand. It is hand-painted on canvas using Resene testpots, then stitched onto felt.

Featuring an array of native flora and fauna, the design also includes the extinct whēkau and ruru hinapō, painted back into existence, restoring their memory while honouring the natural world that still surrounds us.

The remarkable form and colours used over the entire garment brought it to life on stage.

“The main colour inspired my whole design,” says Kayla. The felt was this deep blue, and Resene Blue Night matched perfectly to it. It also ties into the theme and name, Sacred Nightfall.”

Alongside Blue Night, Kayla used Black, White and primary colour testpots to hand-paint the garment’s design.

A 10-time WOW finalist, the Waikanae-based designer has received six prior awards, including placing first in the Aotearoa Section in 2024 and receiving the Dame Suzie Moncrieff Award in 2019.

Her journey though, she says, began around 17 years ago.

“Back in high school, my best friend and I entered the wearable arts competition and won tickets to go see the WOW show in Wellington and that inspired us.”

Sometimes all it takes is a single moment to inspire a whole career. 

Published: 29 Sep 2026