Romance Was Born created an undersea delight at the Sydney Theatre Company this morning to launch their spring summer collection
Doilies and Pearls, Oysters and Shells.
A merman, a harp-playing mermaid, a banquet festooned with blooms, cupcakes, gran's favourites Cedel hairsrpay and 4711 eau de cologne set the scene for the most theatrical showing so far at RAFW.
An Iced VoVo costume, lady octopus, a crochet-blanket-clad nana and a Daryl Hannah-esque mermaid glided and posed amongst more commercial pieces. High-waisted lace trousers, a white laced-sleeve body con dress, delicate oyster and pearl print silk chiffon, hot pink mermaid bikini and diamante dotted tights were highlights.
Incredible effort had been put into the make-up and headpieces that the models wore. Fanned, pleated tulle with diamante details sat above eyebrows, crocheted and jewlled beards hang from the gents' chins and many were completely body-painted. Nana's favourite - the hydrangea - made an appearance as an enormous head-dress.
RWB love a print and this season's in by Patrick Doherty. Esme Timbery, indigenous elder, created the shell work shoes which will be available in a limited edition of 20. Paul Bonomelli created the accessories which will also go on sale.
The show garnered rapturous applause, and as one editor mentioned, while the precise finish that Dion Lee presented at Tuesday's impressive show was not there, there is no question that Romance Was Born give good show.