Siblings Sarah and David Tasker
Waipā will have two designers on the World of Wearable Art stage following the news David and Sarah Tasker’s collaboration has been selected as a 2025 finalist.
David Tasker has been designing garments for six years. Photo: David Rowe
The Te Awamutu-based siblings will learn their fate at the TSB Arena, Wellington on September 19.
Across three categories – New Zealand, avant-garde and neon – 100 designers from 17 countries have put in 86 entries.
David is a part-time karaoke host, also known by the drag name Piper Blaster, and Sarah is a mother of three training to be a nail tech.
Due to strict rules around blind judging, they can’t reveal their creation just yet.
“It took four months of solid work. It was quite a surprise to be selected,” David said. “It was a lot of hard work and effort. It was a lot of trial and error and stress but it all just came together.”
The pair are part of four generations living in Te Awamutu and the whole family pitched in.
“My sister and I designed it and worked on it together. The grandparents and Sarah’s kids all chipped in, chucking rhinestones on to put the final touches on the garment.”
Sarah Tasker has joined brother David in their World of Wearable Art entry. Photo: Supplied
David has been creating garments for six years, but this was the first project with his sister.
Photographs and videos were submitted in April.
“In May we got a letter saying, “congratulations, you passed the first selections series, so please send us the garment”.”
They sent the garment to Nelson as well as a full instruction manual, dressing instructions and repair kit – just in case.
In July, the siblings found out they were finalists.
The final judging will take place at the rehearsal on September 17 – two days before the opening awards night.
“That’s when they’ll see the finished garment with the full production and everything on stage, and that’s how they make their final blind judging. The judges don’t know the names with the garments or the titles of the garment. Everything is fully blind.”
Head of competition for World of Wearable Art, Sarah Nathan, lived in Hamilton for 20 years and is always thrilled to see new finalists emerge from the Waikato.
Now based in the Marlborough Sounds, she has worked with WOW for three years, dividing her time between Nelson and Wellington.
“Being selected as a WOW finalist is a huge achievement. It’s not just about being part of the show, it’s about gaining a profile on a truly global stage,” Nathan said.
Siblings Sarah and David Tasker wearing their best group award winning creations at the Creatures of Atlantis: Myths and Legends poolside party in Rotorua last month. Photo: Kean Chen
