Welcome to the second Sydney Wearable Art Gala!

SWA is an invitation to designers/creators from New South Wales and all over Australia, to show your wearable art creations in the recently restored Art-Deco Enmore Theatre, on the very stage Mick Jagger demanded “More satisfaction” and the Village People begged us to “Join the navy”. The Enmore Theatre is a 1600 seat comedy hub and a famous rock band venue with an illustrious history, and is the perfect space to push the boundaries of wearable art and fashion.

This years categories have been chosen to reflect some of the diverse and vibrant tribes of Sydney including the Environmentalists, Cosplayers, Drag/Burlesque/performance artists, historical re-enactors, and milliners to name a few.

SWAG is about bringing diverse communities together to share, play and compete in a friendly inclusive event that celebrates the journey as much as the destination. The competition will play out in front of a live audience with awards presented on the final night by selected judges from industry and participating communities.

Participants are welcomed from all walks of life and creative fields - just be over 16 years of age!

About us

SWAG is produced, designed and directed by the Creative team at the Entertainment Design and Illustration section (EDI) at the award-winning Design Centre Enmore TAFE NSW.

The EDI team have been producing annual costume shows at the Enmore Theatre for 20 plus years and can more the rock the venue with high quality event spanning lighting and set design, audio-visual, and choreography.

In November 2024 we will deliver the second SWA Gala over two spectacular, fun filled nights culminating in an awards night with Awards to be won across six categories.

All this fun as well as an opportunity to make real change; we will donate $­5 from every ticket to charity. In 2023, SWA supported Father Chris Riley’s Youth on the Streets, a charity that aims to tackle homelessness in the city.

Last year we welcomed more than 130 participants onto the stage, and into the exciting and innovative world of wearable art, and hope to grow even more this year. We are excited about the future of wearable art, and look forward to welcoming your entry in 2024.

Our commitment to Sustainability and the 8R’s

We support the environment, and SWA is opposed to unnecessary waste that may otherwise end up in land fill. Where possible we encourage our participants to act sustainably, and to Re-use, Re-invigorate, Revive, Reimagine, Reprocess, Reinterpret Repurpose and Recycle while creating art, ensuring a reduction on the use of virgin materials.

We strongly believe in reusing deadstock textiles and upcycling existing garments/materials that have seen a previous life!