Romance was Born

with Karen Willis Holmes

Yesterday was the unofficial start to Rosemount Australia Fashion Week Spring Summer 2011-12 and what better way to kick off than with a magical show by Romance was Born.  Entitled ‘The Oracle’ Anna and Luke were inspired by the film The Never Ending Story, eternity and the beauty and decadence of the 1920’s.

Romance was Born transformed the Mitchell Library at the State Library of NSW into a wonderland with babies breathe trees.  The finale accompanied by the Sydney Youth Orchestra and Australian Youth Choir's rendition of 'The Never Ending Story' was an emotive finish to a breathtaking presentation for guests including Cate Blanchett, Jenny Kee, Sophie Lowe, Kylie Kwong, Nell, Del Kathryn Barton and Susie Bubble. 

Designer Anna use to work in the Karen Willis Holmes work room and so the idea and collaborate to design and create two wedding dress pieces for the collection was a nice departure from wedding dresses.

 Romance Was Born has described the collection as “drawn to the complete woman, she wears a hat or headdress, coiffure, shoes and all manner of enchanting accessories.  Even the practical has a patina of the theatrical.  Bold gem colours of coral, turquoise, chartreuse and the blue of lapis lazuli are housed in the finest gold and are offset by the contrast of black and white.”

Creating the gowns with fabrications I used including the most luxurious of fabrics and opulent prints, indeed this collection boasts the best prints of the season.  Precious jewels and amulets are displayed as a whole swathe or turned into gorgeous strips of silk ribboning and trims.  Elsewhere, garments feature hand painting and digital 

prints of artwork by Australian contemporary artist Nell.

I thought I would share some of my backstage pictures from the show...

Models getting their nails done by the Sally Hansen girls

This gown featuring a hair hem is being finished on the model – cutting it to the perfect length!

A model in a top inspired by the Rock Biter from the NeverEnding story gets a touch up.

Girls dressed and ready to go!

“Reality is never enough for Romance Was Born and so a fascination formed with the magical land Fantasia, a land created by the hopes and dreams of humankind.  Inspired by the dual nature of the Empress’ magical talisman – AURYN whose serpents entwine to represent the two worlds, Fantasia and Reality but also the twin nature of their mutual creation and destruction.”

Karen xx