POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Set, Romance Was Born

Object No. 2013/93/1D

This comic book themed pop-up stage set was created as a backdrop for fashion label, Romance Was Born's Summer 2012 collection show entitled Berserkergang. The set with it's comic book theme was designed to reflect and enhance the designer's collection of garments featuring Marvel superhero inspired graphics and comic book iconography. The annual Mercedes-Benz Australian Fashion Week collection shows provide a significant opportunity for Australian designers to showcase their new collections before local and international media and buyers. It is an important forum for securing orders from department stores and boutiques and to capture media attention. Romance Was Born designers Luke Sales and Anna Plunkett are well known for their spectacular theatrical collection shows and this pop-up set reflects the way designers style their collection shows with props, backdrops and films to create atmosphere and complement the theme of their collection. In this case Luke Sales and Anna Plunkett have eschewed the current trend for fashion films and worked with paper engineer Benja Harney of Paperform to create a set that folds out, like a children's pop-up book, to reveal a pop-up comic book scene. Paraded in front of this predominantly black and white set the garments provided a striking contrast with their vivid colours and sparkling embellishment. The collection was shown at Mercedes-Benz Australian Fashion Week in May 2012 and was held offsite (MBAFW's main venue at the time was the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay, Sydney) in the atmospheric environment of the historic Walsh Bay store shed at Pier 2/3. This reflects the designers preference for a venue and setting where they can control and create a mis-en-scene like this backdrop specifically suited to their collection. The set reflects Benja Harney's accomplished work with engineering high end paper constructions and his ability to collaborate with other creatives to enhance and complement their work. Glynis Jones Curator, fashion & dress