At Australia Fashion Week, Romance Was Born once again proved its reputation as one of the country’s most imaginative and theatrical design houses. With the unveiling of their Resort 2026 collection, co-founders Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales invited guests into a wildly expressive world where fashion meets fantasy, folklore, and art.

Titled “Mycelium Dreams,” the collection drew inspiration from the hidden universe of fungi — a metaphor for interconnectedness, resilience, and natural wonder. Staged within a whimsically transformed venue filled with mushroom sculptures, hand-painted backdrops, and surreal forest-like lighting, the show felt like stepping into an enchanted underworld. It was a celebration of nature’s unseen magic and the transformative power of imagination.

True to the label’s DNA, the Resort 2026 collection was a masterclass in maximalism. Hand-embellished gowns, textured capes, and sculptural outerwear bloomed with intricate appliqué, embroidery, and hand-beading. Mycelium-inspired patterns appeared throughout — in swirling prints, lace cutouts, and fabric manipulations that mimicked spore formations and organic growth.

Color was used to stunning effect. From psychedelic neons and jewel tones to earthy browns, moss greens, and fairy-dust pastels, each look radiated with dreamlike energy. Fabrics ranged from sheer organza and sequinned tulle to layered knits and hand-dyed silks, offering a tactile experience that played with transparency, volume, and movement.

Key silhouettes included billowing, ruffled gowns, mushroom-shaped sleeves, collaged tunics, and oversized separates styled with vintage-inspired flair. Accessories were fantastical and artful: mushroom-shaped handbags, glittering headpieces, and surrealist platform shoes that looked plucked from a dream.

The casting further emphasized inclusivity and individuality, with models of all ages and backgrounds bringing personality and power to the runway. The show closed with a celestial moment — a cascading white gown illuminated by hidden LED lights, evoking bioluminescent fungi and the collection’s themes of mystery and connection.

Romance Was Born Resort 2026 was more than a fashion show — it was a visual poem to nature’s mysticism and the brand’s continued devotion to storytelling through couture-level craft. In a world increasingly craving authenticity and wonder, Plunkett and Sales delivered a dazzling escape that lingered long after the final look disappeared into the shadows.