Stepping off the busy streets of Sydney's Darlinghurst and into the studio of Romance Was Born is like tumbling down Alice In Wonderland's rabbit hole. Everywhere you look there's a kaleidoscope of colour - sequins, feathers and fringing burst from racks, kites are strung up on walls, even the power cords have been transformed, twisted with rose garlands.
Behind this whirl of fashion and fantasy are Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales. The designers, who met while studying at East Sydney Technical College, started the label in 2002. "It was really unplanned. One day, we just registered a business and started our label," recalls Sales.
After graduating, they left for Europe, where their work met with considerable interest, including an offer of an internship from John Galliano. Yet after a couple of months overseas, Plunkett admits, "We were both a bit homesick and wanted to come home and do our own thing."
Since they returned to Australia, Romance Was Born has become known for its flamboyant one-off designs and for dressing music industry stars in extravagant creations. "That's how we started and it's still what we love doing," explains Plunkett. Their very first collaboration saw them dressing Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs while they were still at college. "Because a lot of our work is handmade and one-off, it's perfect for the stage and that's kind of how we see the pieces as well - they're for performing in; they're a bit of a platform," adds Plunkett.
The elaborate designs seem unimpeded by commercial concerns or the coming and going of trends. Plunkett explains, "Our pieces don't really represent a time, or a style, or a fashion. I think love is probably a good word because we put so much love into them."
Behind all the theatricality, there's a raw exuberance, which gives the label an endearing honesty. Utilising materials such as bottle tops, old silks and lycra, Plunkett and Sales spin obtuse inspirations into designs that are enchantingly beautiful in their otherworldliness. Sales says, "I like using bottle tops as much as really expensive lace, and it's even better when you mix the two together - the juxtaposition, I suppose you'd call it."
Inspired by the icy tundra, yetis - even the colours of Slurpees - the new autumn/winter collection is a mad mix of tie-dye and fringing, with accessories designed by new collaborator Paul Bonomel. So where to from here? "Japan for sure," enthuses Plunkett. And with its infectious blend of style and whimsy, the label is sure to win over Tokyo's style set.
More on Romance Was Born Romance Was Born Spring/Summer 2008
Chambord Shine Awards
Post your comment
Comment Guidelines