The finalist designers for this year's World of WearableArt Awards Show have been announced and there are three from the Bay of Plenty.

Louise Pickford of Opotiki along with Shona Tawhiao and Kim Wood of Mount Maunganui have had garments confirmed for this year's show.

New Zealand's most spectacular stage show will be returning for its 30th year this September in Wellington.

About 60,000 attendees are expected to attend the 2018 World of WearableArt Awards Show season from September 27 to October 14.

WOW Competition Director Heather Palmer says this year's finalist designers were not afraid to take risks with their concepts and the execution of their garments to create something new and unique.

'This year's finalist garments show just how talented WOW designers are," says Heather.

"Construction techniques like laser cutting, 3D design sculpting and melding art and science into the garments are on show along with handbuilt elements such as weaving, ceramics and felting.

"There are strong sculptural and engineered techniques as well as painting and fabric concepts that are experimental and edgy.”

This year's show will be presented as a series of six worlds, each with its own design provocation that designers have responded to.

Along with the recurring Avant-garde, Aotearoa and Open sections are Under the Microscope, Reflective Surfaces and a crowd-favourite, Bizarre Bra.

'The finalist garments give us unique, forward-thinking and reflective interpretations of this year's themes.

"Some will make the audience laugh, some will give you pause for thought, while others will simply wow.”

Finalists had been selected from 17 countries, up from 13 in 2017. New Zealand designers are the single most represented country with 65 finalist designers.

Twenty-four finalist designers have been selected from China and 15 from the United States. Other countries represented include Poland, Greece, South Korea, Mexico and Russia.

WOW Key Dates:

September 27 Opening night

September 28 Awards night

October 14 Closing night

Tickets on sale now at www.worldofwearableart.com