Hi, I would like to hear from other people who have entered the awards before so that I can be given some sort of guide as to how long it takes to put an entry together. I know it obviously varies with each entry but just a few experiences from other people would be good. My friend and I would love to enter but first want to ensure that we can put in the mount of time required. Thanks

Hello

I had an entry "Mind Games" accepted into WOW in 2007 - that entry took around 300 hours to make.

I learnt that it pays to allow more time that you think you'll need - just to allow for trial and error, and the fact that the deadline arrives quicker than you think.

All the best

Maree

Thanks a lot Maree. I appreciate your estimate and advice. Good luck if you are entering again this year.
Kara

Hi. My last three garments have all taken roughly 200 hours each I meet someone this year who only has one weekend to design,and make her garment. She won her category this year with her entry. The more you play to your strengths the less time you will need to experiment with new materials. Your design is everything, so take time to think before you start. Take the jump and leap in! You will learn so much from just doing. Try and create something you like and are drawn to and don't worry about trying to create a masterpiece....you will free yourself up and probably end up creating one! Use the forum to ask for help. I agree with Maree...it always takes longer than you think especially the last bit of packaging!!!! Leave a week for photos and packaging. Good luck. Marie

Thanks Marie, Excellent advice. Totally agree about p[laying to your strengths, taking time with the design and doing something you like. If the design and idea is not solid then the result won't be either no matter how well it's made! Good luck to you for this year if you are entering ;-)

Hi Kara,

Good Luck with your entry this year, I'm a new entrant too - So should be good fun - just though I'd add my 2cents to this thread, as the replies to you are also helpful to me too!

Hi

Start now. The entry date comes around so quick. It always takes longer than you think. I rushed mine last year and it did not make the show. I started this years entry last October and it is taking longer tham I thought. It is an enjoyment to do. Best of luck.

Allisack

Scary! I know, we have left it quite late. Good on you for getting onto it so early. Good luck for making it to the show this year ;-)

All the best with your entry, it's so much fun eh!

the way I work is to get a calendar, mark in the date you have to have it at Mainfrieght by and work backwards from there- allow a day before hand to package it up, work out when you need to take your photos (make sure you have printer ink etc!) and arrange a time with a friend to model it etc. I figure out all the components that need to be made and put together and allow a certain amount of time for each of those- the calendar system has worked for me really well and means that you carve out the time rather than snatch it from your busy life. I've entered 16 garments in the show over the years and some have taken 4 months (amongst other work and committments) and one took just one weekend to put together- but the idea was well resloved and the components sourced and organised.

And at some point you have to tell your friends and family to go hang because you need some full on dedicated time to finish this off. An uninterrupted weekend gets more done than a month of half hours! They might get grumpy with you but they are pretty amazed and proud when you get into show. If you have young kids, get someone to look after them with a promise to do likewise for a couple of days, lock yourself away with coffee, good music and the luxury and joy of working on your creation. All the best for your artwork!

that is FANTASTIC advice, thank you so much - I will be getting myself a wall planner and mark out all the dates, good luck with your entry!

that is FANTASTIC advice, thank you so much - I will be getting myself a wall planner and mark out all the dates, good luck with your entry!

We worked as a team and entered for the first time last year with Second Skin. Some advice from our experience would be to have a strong idea of your design intent that you each buy into and also what your individual strengths are that you can bring to the team effort.

Before we sent our entry form off we had spent alot of time working on design ideas, sketching and trialling ideas of sewing techniques and fabric choices. This meant that when we sent our entry in we could just start making.
We estimate that the construction time was about 280hours each but then we did sew alot of folds!

We had a model who was available for 3 fittings only due to her work schedule so we set deadlines around this to keep us on track and motivated. We set the final deadline 1 day earlier than the Mainfreight deadline so that we had a day up our sleeve if needed... and we did!

We juggled our entry around work, child, sports tournaments etc and while it was a bit frantic in the last couple of weeks it never became a high stress process - it was always fun and we highly recommend entering!

Best of luck!

Hayley and Fiona

Hi Hayley and Fiona, great advice, and your costume last year was absolutely amazing, i can see that it took a lot of time and effort, which paid off!

Congrats on the award and thanks for the Advice!

Have a think about you and your friend creating a garment each individually as an alternative to working together as a team. You can still give each other lots of support, critique, advice and encouragement. I don't think working as a team means that the time committment is necessarily any less. It may be faster and easier to work alone. Particularly if you have other life committments you will often find yourself thinking / fiddling / tweaking late at night or for brief intervals during the day. I have entered in parallel with a friend or friends the last 3 years and have found a system that works well for us is to meet each week for coffee, progress report and critique. This seems to have kept us on our toes and on track. ( And with a bit of luck you will hopefully end up with two free tickets to the awards night rather than one, and be cheering madly for two garments down the catwalk!!)
If you are near one of the main centres try to get to one of the upcoming designer information evenings even if you are not yet 100 % committed to entering.You will meet other potential designers and get a lot of useful tips.
Good luck!