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World of Wearable Art. Photo By Tony Hisgett –

Top 10 Amazing Facts about The World of Wearable Art & Classic Cars Museum

The use of clothing as a medium of expressing art began in the 19^th century. The industrial revolution influenced the combination of art and fashion as a way of social expression by designers and creatives. Movements such as the Aesthetic Movement, British Arts and Craft Movement and Dress Reform Movement played a big role in the fashion industry.

The Aesthetic Movements focused on making art part of everyday life. The 1897 free-flowing feminine robe by Liberty of London was the first recognized piece from the movement. It stood out for its use of subtle brown and gold tones and unconventional approach from the restrictive corset feminine dresses.

By the late 1960s, new experimental art forms such as minimalism, conceptual art, and pop art had developed. However, the 1970s was when wearable art advanced fully.

Cars in New Zealand existed about 12 decades ago. The first motor vehicle in New Zealand was created in 1896, but it was not until 1905 that the first journey by car was completed.

World of Wearable Art & Classic Cars Museum, also known as WOW Museum, is located in South Island, New Zealand. It is the only Museum of its kind in the world.

The Museum is home to two main categories representing various design innovations. It is a white one-story complex showcasing an array of artistic garments and vehicles. The Museum’s interior design is in tune with the concepts of designs displayed, making the experience more realistic.

From fully woven dresses, clothes made of glass, old two-seater car selection models, and luxury car brands, the Museum is a collection of worldwide masterpieces. It also has a restaurant and a souvenir shop selling merchandise, handmade art, and jewellery.

1. World of Wearable Art & Classic Cars Museum Is Located In The Oldest Town On South Island

Nelson, New Zealand, as seen from the Centre of New Zealand. Photo By Markus Koljonen –

Whakatu, Maori name for Nelson city, is the oldest town on South Island. The town was initially inhibited by the Maori people about 700 years ago. It is known for its local art, city events, and the Centre of New Zealand monument.

2. All The Garments In The Museum Are From The World Wearable Art Show

The first World Wearable Art Show began in South Island, New Zealand. It took place in 1987 in the small rural town of Nelson. Dame Suzie Moncrieff, the founder of the Wearable Art show, initially created it to promote local art by altering its normal display method of the wall hanging.

 Today, the show is held annually in Wellington, North Island. It attracts an international audience of around 60,000 people.

3. World of Wearable Art & Classic Cars Museum Showcases Over 100 Years of Car History

Cadillac Car Model. Photo by JoeBu –

World of Wearable Art & Classic Cars Museum has the finest display of private motor vehicles in New Zealand. The Museum has a display of over 150 car models from 100 years.

Some of the luxury car brands in the World of Wearable Art & Classic Cars Museum are Jaguar (UK), Ferrari (Italy), Lamborghinis (Italy), and Cadillac (United States). Other models include the Vauxhalls and Triumphs.

At the Museum, each of the vehicles showcased has an informative poster adjacent to them describing the model, speed, and manufacturing period.

4. It Has A Collection of Bizarre Bras

Upon entry to the Museum, one is greeted by a collection of glass displays and mannequins of Bizarre Braziers. Having a range of different international designs, the collection’s most outstanding pieces are the Skeletal Bra, Under Lock and Key, and the Colourcopia.

The Museum also plays a short film of models wearing the pieces on the runway.

5. World of Wearable Art & Classic Cars Museum Has The Most Expensive Car Ever Made For Its Time

Former presidents used some of the 150 cars displayed in the Museum. The Museum also has a sizeable 3D model of the Holden VY Commodore raced by professional race driver Greg Murphy. It is no wonder that even the most expensive cars are part of the jaw-dropping collection.

Car-lover or not, the variety and exceptional characteristics of the vehicles will sure keep you interested in discovering more about New Zealand’s automobile history.

6. It Has Garments from Over 40 Countries

World of Wearable Art. Photo By Tony Hisgett –

The garments displayed in the museum range from Europe, Australia, the United States, and New Zealand. So far, the World Wearable Art Show has showcased about 5,000 different finalist designers. The show itself attracts entrants from more than 40 countries annually.

Some creative pieces from fashion designers are displayed in the World of Wearable Art Museum.  

7. World of Wearable Art & Classic Cars Museum Has An Engine Themed Eatery

The Little Engine Eatery is a small food truck that offers decent meals to guests who visit the Museum. It is located on Main Street outside the museum complex. The food truck is modelled to mimic a train engine.

8. The World of Wearable Art & Classic Cars Museum Has The Oldest Car Model Of The 20^th Century

The oldest car model in the Museum is the Renault AX. The automobile was first manufactured in Renault, France, between 1908 and 1914. The two cylinders straight engine is among the first car displays in the Museum.

9. It Has A Ceramic And Collectable Store

Picture of books at a shop. Photo By Pexels –

The World of Wearable Art & Classic Cars complex has a Museum Store with unique ceramics, beautiful prints, clothing items, postcards, and exquisite jewellery for sale. The store also has books on the history of fashion in New Zealand and the evolution of automobiles.

It is positioned at the entry of the car section of the Museum

10. The World of Wearable Art & Classic Cars Museum Has The Top Sport Car Of the 1960s

The 1960 E-Type Jaguar is one of the automobile models in the Museum. The British car was manufactured between 1961 and 1974. Its high performance and aesthetics made it stand out from similar models of that decade.

The United States Sports Car International Magazine (2004) labelled it the top sports car of the 1960s. It was also ranked on the list of the top 100 world’s most beautiful cars of all time in the British newspaper, the Daily Telegraph.