Romance Was Born is a contemporary Australian fashion house founded by designers Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales, who met while studying fashion in 2005. Renowned for their imaginative storytelling and theatrical approach to design, the duo transforms diverse inspirations into vibrant, fantastical fashion worlds filled with statement pieces, distinctive prints and intricate hand-worked details including appliqué, embroidery, beading and sequins.

Artistic collaboration is central to the label’s practice, with past collaborators including May Gibbs, Linda Jackson, Jenny Kee, Del Kathryn Barton, Disney, Marvel and LEGO. Romance Was Born’s work is held in major Australian collections and has been exhibited internationally, including in The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s 2019 Camp: Notes on Fashion exhibition. Their immersive collections and theatrical presentations have earned a devoted international following, with pieces worn by artists and cultural figures including Björk, Cate Blanchett, Nicki Minaj and Miley Cyrus.