Getty Images
In the great realm of Australian fashion, no one does a show quite like Romance Was Born; and on Monday night, duo Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales put on a presentation for the ages. Fashion, art and theatre combined in perfect synergy as Sydney’s Carriageworks transformed into a magical wonderland, all rainbow lights, ethereal florals and a fanciful merry-go-round.
The label presented two new lines, both crafted almost entirely from RWB dead stock and preloved vintage pieces. There was nothing serious or minimalist about the fashion, though, defined by intricately beaded gowns, reams of ruffles and delicious candy hues. The ‘Arts & Crafts’ collection harked back to your Grandma’s sewing box – a treasure trove filled with doilies, lace and sequins – and riffed on a dazzling game of dress-ups. In times like these, fashion should be fun – and what could be more fun than slipping on an embellished cloche or bonnet and gloves?
Then the hypnotic beats blurred into Wagner’s Bridal Chorus, marking the launch of ‘RWB Forever’, a new-age bridal collection fashioned from discarded wedding dresses (including those of Plunkett and Sales’s own friends and family). Now, the brand invites brides to return their pre-worn dresses and have them reworked into something magical and wearable for the future.
It’s always easy to get lost in the whimsy and wonder of an RWB extravaganza, but this season’s clothes were threaded with an important message – that sustainability can indeed be sparkly. Re-use, recycle and repurpose… but make it fabulous.
