On the last weekend of the holidays our Wearable Arts garments once again took to the stage, this time for the North Canterbury Wearable Arts Competition. Once again they shone. After a very hot  dress rehearsal on Friday night, when the judges had their first viewings of the garments, the costumes were set up backstage for the judges to have a closer look at them. 

This year groups could enter in either Space: The Final Frontier category or the Open category. 

Cosmic Custodian and The Quacken entered in the Space section and took out 1st and 2nd place respectively, winning the groups  money and vouchers. Cosmic Custodians glitter bodice sparkled under the lights, dazzling the crowd and judges alike. Once again the humour in the Quacken costume had the judges and the audience smiling and laughing at their take off of the Cracken.

Our NZ Legend Hilary, There is no Planet B, Antarctic Tragedy, Let it Bee, Bedlam Beast, Disaster at Oz, Dreaming your Couture, and Anyone Can Bloom represented Breens and themselves admirably in the Open Section. All the garments looked stunning on stage. Hilary was elegant both in its design and in the modelling, Planet B had great impact from a distance and up close. Antarctic Tragedy’s whale was skillfully manoeuvred for maximum impact and our duo in Disaster at Oz worked beautifully together, the tornado giving the garment extra movement and depth of design. Our heart in dreaming your Couture was dazzling in both its clever design, careful execution and bold explosion of colour. 

It was Anyone Can Bloom though who took the judges eye for third place. Bravely worn by a younger sibling, the detailed and intricate design of the garment and the story behind it were a winning combination. Let it Bee also had the judges buzzing, and it was awarded second place. It was a beautiful design from head to toe with  flowers and bees circling the hive, and also with an important message. It was however Bedlam Beast, the walking bed, which had everyone taking a second look, that stole the show on the night. They were awarded first place in the Open category and also Supreme Winner of the night, winning their group two prizes, money and return flights to Wellington next year and tickets to WOW 2025. Not only is the design an exceptional example of Wearable Art, the execution of the design was completed to an exceptionally high standard, and the model was an integral part of the costume and added to its effect.

The North Canterbury Show was a fabulous experience for all the students. As it was a small venue it was a great opportunity for them to see the awe and wonder on the faces of the audience as their garments were shown. It is also a chance for them to see other students' costumes and meet others with the same interests. The organisers are a group of volunteers who are always excited to see what entrants have made and are encouraging and supportive. They have an adults section too if any adults think they would love to have a go themselves next year.

Well done to all our wonderful students who represented themselves and Breens with beauty, bravery, and brilliance. Thank you also to all our wonderful parents who have transported exceedingly large, delicate and complicated pieces of art, ferried children to and from dress rehearsals and events, and helped them backstage to get frontstage smoothly and looking fantastic.

All you can really say is WOW!

Sarah Turpin - Specialist Art Teacher