Stitching ancestry into art: Kayla Christensen’s WOW journey
Kayla Christensen’s award-winning entry in the 2024 World of WearableArt (WOW) competition was more than just a garment; it was a tapestry of ancestry, memory, and imagination. Her creation, Kārearea, brought together three models standing side by side to form a hand-painted and hand-stitched triptych mural. Inspired by the history of tapestry and her grandfather’s role as a fighter pilot in World War II, the piece earned first place in the prestigious Aotearoa section of WOW.
For Kayla, the moment was unforgettable: “I was so happy it felt like an out-of-body experience, especially walking up on stage to receive my trophy from one of the judges, James Dobson. I was speechless.”
Left: Karla's graduate collection, Aura. Right: Kayla's grandfather Harold Christensen
The meaning behind Kārearea
The imagery of Kārearea was carefully chosen and deeply symbolic. As Kayla explains, “Three ancestors soar through the depths of the sea and sacred lands, carrying a rich family tapestry. That image captures the heart of my design, which weaves together themes of ancestry and connection to the land.”
Each motif was selected for its cultural and personal significance. The kārearea (falcon) symbolises strength, flight, speed, and spiritual guidance. The chevron skink, or niho taniwha, reflects whakapapa with its patterned back. The hardy penwiper plant is a symbol of resilience, while the kōura represents mana and deep connections to Aotearoa’s waters. The Mount Cook buttercup links the piece to the beauty and spiritual presence of Aoraki Maunga.
Family history was woven through the design as well. Kayla painted a pocket watch, a taonga passed through generations, shown in the hands of her grandmother, Audrey Christensen. Beneath that portrait, she added war medals belonging to her grandfather and great-grandfather. At the centre was a large image of her two-year-old daughter, a reminder that whakapapa lives on, linking past and future.
Winning WOW’s Aotearoa Section Award has been a turning point in Kayla’s confidence and career. “Winning felt completely surreal, like an out-of-body experience or a dream. Standing on stage to receive my trophy from WOW judge James Dobson, surrounded by all three models wearing Kārearea, was like stepping into a magical world I had helped create.”
she adds, “Being awarded this prize has given me so much confidence to continue pursuing my creative dreams. It showed me that my imagination is something truly special and sharing it with an audience has been incredibly rewarding.”
The technical challenges of bringing such a vision to life were significant. Wearable art must not only communicate meaning but also withstand performance. Pieces are worn through more than 30 live shows, requiring durability, comfort, and flexibility in design.
Kayla shares, “I spend a lot of time dreaming up the garment in my head, thinking about how it will fit and move on stage. Beyond that, I have to consider the model’s comfort and balance, construction methods, and durability. Another challenge is designing it in a way that allows it to be dismantled and packed for shipping, which can also influence the final design.”
For Kayla, such challenges often push her creativity further, leading to outcomes that are ‘even more exciting and beautiful’ than the original concept.
Shaped by Massey
Kayla’s journey as a designer began at Massey University, where she studied a Bachelor of Design, majoring in Fashion Design. She was drawn to Massey because of the wide range of creative pathways the programme offered, enabling her to explore disciplines beyond fashion.
“Through my Bachelor of Design, I gained a wide variety of skills, not just in fashion, but across other design disciplines as well. It really pushed me to expand my creativity,” she recalls.
A turning point came with the Fashion Design Special Project, an avant-garde challenge that encouraged bold ideas. For Kayla, it was the perfect chance to step into WOW. Her first finalist entry was “Points of Conservation” (2009), a joint piece created with her best friend Renee Louie while they were at Paraparaumu College. “Taniwha Aboard” (2012) was her third finalist piece, inspired by old wooden trapeze toys: “The model squeezed the sides of the canoe, causing the taniwha at the back to flip around – just like those toys that flip when you squeeze them.” She followed with “Prana” (2015), another finalist work.
She also looks back fondly on her graduate collection, Aura, which combined flowing garments, rigging wire, and steel cutouts to explore the interconnectedness of life through Māori perspectives. The collection became a bridge to her future WOW creations.
Throughout her studies, mentors such as Lilian Mutsaers and Sue Prescott encouraged her to trust her imagination and challenge convention. Their support, she says, “pushed me to see what I could achieve.”
The impact of her education is something Kayla continues to draw upon. She still revisits her old workbooks and project notes in her art room, finding inspiration in the ideas she developed during her degree. “They help guide my future goals as I work towards becoming a full-time artist,” she explains.
Kayla and mum & dad after the WOW show
Looking ahead
Kayla often tells design students to take that first step, no matter how small. Her advice is simple: “Find a passion or technique that excites you, and dive into it. Don’t be discouraged by mistakes or failures. If a design doesn’t work out, see it as part of the process. Pushing through challenges will make you more creative, and often, the outcome will be more incredible than what you initially imagined.”
Today, Kayla is a stay-at-home mum who balances raising her young daughter with her artistic practice. She dreams of becoming a full-time artist and sharing her creative world with her child.
“I want to become a full-time artist and share my magical world with my daughter, who is only two years old. My ultimate goal is to spend my time creating art that can last a lifetime – whether on stage, in film, or in historical collections. The possibilities are endless, and I’m excited to see where my passion leads me.”