ANNA PLUNKETT AND LUKE SALES
FOR ROMANCE WAS BORN
The renowned duo Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales met while studying fashion in 2005 and established the inimitable label Romance Was Born. The pair is known for their ability to transform any theme or seemingly random inspiration into a glittery glimmering fashion paradise.
Together they explore a creative common ground and freely toy with the relationship between fashion and art. The design duo have garnered respect for their extravagant and theatrical runway shows, a forum where they have agency across the entire Romance Was Born vision.
CHRISTOPHER ESBER
Precision tailoring, elegant minimalism and an innovative approach to cut are signatures of the Christopher Esber label, which the designer founded in 2010. Christopher Esber has built a global reputation for precision tailoring and a purity of expression that he employs to create silhouettes of structured fluidity that whisper rather than shout.
Christopher Esber is the recipient of numerous accolades including the Australian Fashion Laureate Emerging Designer Award (2014) and Vogue Italia’s Most Talented Designer Award for Australia-Pacific (2015).
EDWINA FOREST AND ADRIAN NORRIS,
AJE
Founded in 2008 by best friends Adrian Norris and Edwina Forest, Aje is a contemporary Australian fashion brand dedicated to raw beauty, tough femininity and effortless cool.
The duo’s coveted creations illustrate a pure reflection of their learnings and background, with Adrian’s training at the acclaimed Venetian Art School, Liceo Artistico Venezia, and Edwina’s tenure at leading fashion magazine, RUSSH.
Grounded in their mutual love of the arts, the like-minded pair devote each seasonal collection to their intrinsic sense of duality; balancing toughness with femininity, untamed volume with structure and signature statement pieces alongside effortless essentials.
SOPHIE HOLT, OROTON
With over 80 years of commitment to innovative design, using time honoured materials and techniques, Oroton has a long and respected history.
Founded in Sydney in 1938 by Boyd Lane, Oroton started as an importer of luxury European textiles. From its very beginnings, Oroton believed in quality, working to source the best materials around the world.
Since 2018 Sophie Holt, Oroton’s creative director, has re-invigorated and reinterpreted Oroton’s rich heritage injecting a spirit of now, evolving the leather goods product offering, and launching full ready-to-wear collections.
Sophie Holt’s Oroton embodies a fresh take on modern classic - creating easy-to-wear pieces that are unfussy and contemporary, designed to elevate everyday dressing.
