Romance Was Born isn’t just a label – it’s an art movement that goes beyond fashion – designing an alternate universe that is as masterful as a cinematic masterpiece or the grandest of stage shows
Melissa Hoyer
On Friday night – as the fitting finale for Australian Fashion Week – Romance Was Born debuted their highly anticipated Resort 26 collection, ‘It’s in the Trees’ in front of a buzzy, excited & packed front row … and beyond. The excitement was powerful and palpable.
Let me just explain something about Romance Was Born, created by the innately creative Luke Sales and Anna Plunkett, who I was fortunate to meet all those years ago.
The thing is, RWB goes well beyond being ‘fashion’. It is one hugely innovative, creative, pioneering Australian fashion house, celebrated for its imaginative fusion of art, storytelling, and couture. And also for bringing together and collaborating with like-minded creatives.
Founded in 2005 by Anna and Luke, the brand has carved a niche with its avant-garde designs and theatrical presentations. But the brand is so much more than artistic vision and storytelling.
At the heart of Romance Was Born is a singular commitment to creating ‘immersive’ fashion experiences: as they exactly did in their 20th year at their show at fashion week.
When I think of true innovators who carved a signature and made it work internationally – and who all possess totally different fashion aesthetics – I think of Akira Isogawa, Collette Dinnigan, Christopher Esber, Toni Matecevski, Dion Lee (unfortunately in receivership in 2024) and of course, the brilliance of Zimmermann (who continue to blitz it globally).
Romance should be an internationally renowned brand – there is no question about that. The detail, the quality fabrications, the stories, the whole concepts – while seemingly bonkers perhaps to those who don’t get the creative processes that that go into entire collections – I always look at one of their collections as the beginning, middle and end of a feature film.
Their collections are renowned for utilising bold prints and intricate details like appliqué, embroidery and sequins to craft visually arresting pieces.
Each collection tells a story, often drawing inspiration from diverse themes and cultural elements. Over the years, Luke and Anna have engaged with artists and brands like May Gibbs, Linda Jackson, Jenny Kee, Ken Done, Disney, Marvel, and Lego to infuse their work with multifaceted creativity.
This is why Romance Was Born’s influence extends beyond fashion into the broader pop culture landscape.
Their work is featured in prestigious institutions like the National Gallery of Australia and the Powerhouse Museum. They have participated in the 2019 ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion’ exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City while celebrity endorsements and wear from Cate Blanchett, Björk, Nicki Minaj and Miley Cyrus, just highlights their global appeal.
Obviously 2025 is celebrating their 20th anniversary, so Romance Was Born collaborated with First Nations artist Zaachariaha Fielding. This partnership resulted in a collection that melded Fielding’s vibrant artistry with the brand’s signature flair, showcasing themes inspired by ’80s sci-fi and nostalgic childhood memories.
Guests at the show this year included Jenny Kee, Claudia Karven, Maud Page, Cindy Rostron, Edwina McCann, art impresario Dr Dick Quan, Christine Centenera, Ben Lee and Lara Merrett.
Marking their 20th anniversary, Romance Was Born transported audiences into a richly imagined world shaped by childhood nostalgia, Australian wilderness, and fantasy. It’s in the Trees was a deeply personal and theatrical celebration of the brand’s creative legacy, infused with wild colour, emotional texture, and collaborative artistry.
The collection drew inspiration from the Ballets Russes, the raw beauty of native flora and fauna, and the joy and chaos of growing up surrounded by nature and toys. The show tapped into the sensory memories of play, where the line between reality and imagination blurred. Butterflies, beetles, and birds emerged as recurring motifs, symbolising wonder and transformation.
In a wild creative partnership, Romance Was Born collaborated with Mattel, reimagining five of their most iconic brands – Barbie, Polly Pocket, Hot Wheels, Masters of the Universe, and Fisher-Price – to celebrate the toy company’s 80th anniversary.
“Growing up in regional towns, we were surrounded by nature and toys, which became a huge inspiration for us,” said Co-Founder Luke Sales.
“We imagined these fantastical Mattel toys in the starkness of the Australian bush.”
The resulting gowns, rooted in childhood memory and pop art intensity, shimmered with nostalgia and emotion.
“This collaboration highlighted the exciting ways Mattel is expanding beyond toys into fashion, entertainment, and culture,” said Paul Faulkner, Managing Director APAC, Mattel.
“Anna and Luke’s incredible creativity brought our brands to life in a nostalgic and original way.”
The show also featured a standout collaboration with Australian artist Laura Jones, whose hyper-saturated, emotional landscapes inspired key pieces.
In homage to the Ballets Russes whose expressive, costume-driven performances continue to inspire the brand Jones hand-painted directly onto gowns, blurring the line between wearable art and performance.
Set within a dreamlike woodland stage, the show’s design became a central part of the storytelling.
Under the creative direction of Chantel Covey-Lane and Peter Simon Phillips, the production team sourced dead avocado trees from a farm near Peats Ridge, rescuing them from planned clearance.
The brittle, bare trees were carefully transported and installed with cranes.
They stood stark and sculptural beneath a layer of theatrical snow crafted entirely from recycled plastic bottles. The snow didn’t suggest winter but evoked magic and transformation, casting the forest in an eerie, luminous glow.
Digital artist Carla Zimbler added immersive projections, seamlessly blending with the physical landscape, while dancers under the direction of choreographer Amé Delves intensified the emotional rhythm of the show. The movement built hypnotically, echoing the shifting moods of the collection.
Music director Tyoow composed an original score that pulsed with cinematic grace, grounding the visual spectacle in emotional resonance.
Known for her atmospheric sound design, Tyoow’s composition enhanced the storybook world unfolding on the runway.
The beauty direction echoed the show’s dreamy tone: Jason Fassbender and DeeParker-Attwood for Schwarzkopf Professional created sculptural, ethereal hair looks, while PINKY for Make Up For Ever crafted soft, expressive makeup with a nostalgic finish.
Nails by Dazzle Dry added subtle sparkle and detail. Accessories included hats by Phoebe Hyles and shoes by Charles & Keith, adding another layer of character to each look.
The entire show – as I said before, more like a full-on cinematic or theatrical stage Show production – was a true testament to the most creative duo in Australia – and the best thing? I
Yes, take some of the theatrics away and yes indeed, the pieces are totally wearable!!! I’ve worn it. I can vouch for it. Congratulations Luke, anna and your team – just brilliant!
https://www.romancewasborn.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/romancewasborn
IMAGERY:
RUNWAY: DANIEL BOUND & NEW MOON
