This project profiles the works of Auckland based artist Susan Holmes. The first section to be published features Susan Holmes Wearable Art costumes. This presents a selection of her costumes entered in the World of WearableArt™ (WOW®) Awards as well as other New Zealand events and exhibitions from 1990 to the present.

Other areas of this project to be added in the future include; a Fashion section with examples of silk outfits, knitwear, parades and exhibitions; an Art Pieces section with wall hangings and sculptural works; and a Publications section providing information about books and magazine articles about Susan Holmes.

One of New Zealand's foremost fabric artists, Susan is particularly known for her fabulous, fantasy-inspired costumes, often made using dyed, brightly-coloured silks.

Born in Auckland and educated at Avondale College and the University of Otago (MHSc) Susan began full time work with fabric in 1971.

"I was selling in Auckland's only craft market, Brown's Mill. This was a craft co-op of about twenty members, open weekends only and absolutely thronging with people. I stayed there for around twelve years, selling thousands of hand dyed, hand printed dresses."

She lived in a community for many years and, after her first child Alex was born in 1974, the child-care support enabled her to continue working. In 1981 she married and had twins, Sam and Sally.

"Whatever has been happening, however dramatic my emotional life has been, I seem to have kept on with my fabric art, using it to centre myself - and as the one thing that nobody can touch or interfere with."

Susan has won awards in the Benson and Hedges Fashion (1978), the Mohair awards four times, (1987-1989) and on five occasions has been recognised in the N.Z. Wearable Art awards. One of her best-known pieces, "Dragonfish", an elaborate fantasy costume constructed from split cane and brilliantly-coloured silk, was the 1996 Supreme Winner.

She has exhibited regularly in solo and group shows and her commissioned work is on permanent display in the Go International in Victoria St, the Kensington Swan Building in Fanshawe St. and in the Auckland Museums textile collection.

Susan currently teaches fabric-dying and wearable art workshops in New Zealand and Australia and has worked on major New Zealand television series such as "Greenstone", "Hercules" and "Xena".