Meg's WOW moments 'I'M KEEPING THE MAGIC ALIVE'

As well as filling seats to the extravaganza, her book club's taken the world by storm

- Fleur Guthrie

Meg Williams is one of New Mal Zealand's most influential creative leaders.

The 42-year-old has helmed some of our most significant cultural events and is the chief executive of the World of Wearable Art (WOW), the theatrical fashion show attracting 60,000 viewers each year.

Growing up in the UK, creativity and volunteering was always a part of Meg's world. She helped backstage at local village hall shows and children's productions, and played bass guitar in bands while studying English and American literature at the University of Warwick.

Drawn to New Zealand after her father emigrated here, Meg, her husband Olly Bisson and their daughter Bess, eight, have called Wellington home since 2009.

In a career made of many memorable moments, she remembers convincing acting legend Stephen Fry among others to recite Shakespeare for a crowdsourced YouTube video.

Can you recall a funny behind-the-scenes story from WOW?

I was told this yesterday by one of our team about a WOW designer, Allan Gale, who created a garment called "Ten Breasted Suitcase" made from suitcase leather.

He was trying it on the night before submitting it to us and got terribly stuck.

He couldn't get anyone to help him, so he actually had to sleep the night in it.

Thankfully, a friend could help release him from the garment the next day. [Allan went on to win the Man Unleashed section in 2007 with that design.]

Are you a dab hand with the hot glue gun or how do you express your artistic spirit?

I do love a glue gun, which is one of the great things about having an eight-year-old.

For me, though, music and words are my art form.

My mum always told me that I sang before I talked.