Reborn

Spring 2026

Romance Was Born mark their 20th anniversary by creating a fantasy of all their loves, taking inspiration from artistic powerhouse the Ballets Russes, the raw beauty of Australian flora and fauna, as well as their fond nostalgia for growing up in regional Australia.

Recline upon the divan of dreams, where the cushions match the gown. REBORN is a lavish collection that repurposes and reimagines beauty from the past in a melange of elements supplied by interior decoration, ornamentation, and upholstery. It’s a symphony of fashionable soft furnishings.

T=Inspired by their recent foray at Melbourne Design Week, and building upon their successful exhibition RE:BORN created in collaboration with design firm Cultivated. The REBORN collection takes the creative expression further, inspired still by the luxurious textures of interiors and crafted with Romance Was Born’s usual penchant for repurposing and upcycling, but now fashioned full circle into garments.

Reborn showcases a series of column-shaped gowns in chartreuse, vermilion, champagne, and magenta, elegantly cut on the bias from soft satins and opulent jacquards sourced from vintage Italian bedspreads. The gowns and limited separate pieces have been embroidered and beaded with exquisite Art Deco motifs by designer Auguste Thomas, taken from a rare album of textile plates that feature geometric patterns, including a variety of animals, birds, and flowers.