In the 1985 movie Weird Science, a pair of happy misfits use tip-top technology and nerdy know-how to create something truly beautiful: in the form of ‘real life’ woman and sexed up diva Kellie Le Brock. The Australian fashion label Romance Was Born have created something equally beguiling with their Spring/Summer 07/08 collection, also called Weird Science. Sending coke-bottle spectacles, high-waisted acid wash and even a DNA inspired headdress down the runway at Rosemount Fashion Week, a real highlight of the collection is the label’s collaboration with hot Sydney artist Del Kathryn Barton. Del Kathryn Barton, who has previously collaborated on the label’s Regional Australia collection, will once again provide a unique fabric print that will be reproduced across a range of garments. Romance’s own misfit duo, Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales, know nerds get their revenge in the end. [see also Del Kathryn Barton]

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These are five Australian illustrators and designers that Lost At E Minor tips for big things over the next year or so: illustrator Lang Leav, who uses pastels and pixels to weave the enchanting world of Akina; Del Kathryn Barton, whose ‘patent wide-eyed innocent children’ occupy ‘imaginary fantasy worlds of abstract patterns, foliage, native birds and rabbits’; Kelly Boulton, of Other Design, who has has worked across a variety of creative mediums, from guest art directing street press magazine, Stu, to designing t-shirts for Jeremyville; Joshua Gurrie, who takes inspiration from the racier elements of contemporary popular culture’ and whose work ‘seeks to counter the over-saturation of pop media, web junk and glossy sneakers’; and Momoko Hatano, who is inspired by ‘philosophy, environmental and political issues, and artists such as Wim Delvoye and William Morris’. [illustrations by Del Kathryn Barton, left, and Lang Leav, right]

American artist, Chris Buzelli, grew up in Chicago before studying at The Rhode Island School of Design. He moved to New York City in 1995. His oil paintings have been featured in The New York Times, Playboy, and The Boston Globe, amongst many other magazines and newspapers, and his work has been ‘recognised by American Illustration, Society of Illustrators, Society of Publication Designs, Communication Arts, Print and Step by Step’. [see also Del Kathryn Barton]

Says Miss Chris from the independent Australian fashion website Camarilla: ‘Right now, the Melbourne fashion world is out celebrating the latest residency – Romance was Born – at vibrant local boutique Alice Euphemia‘.

Romance was Born is regional Australian-ism meets glamour, dipping a nostalgic node to all things local. Let’s not be fooled, fashionistas, Alice Euphemia will not be leading us down a misguided path of lairy Ken Done styled 1980s faux paus. Rather, the limited residency features the prints of renowned Melbourne artist Del Kathryn Barton. ‘Aussie legends – the Dunlop Volley – are given a sparkling treatment. Think rock eisteddfod chic as these kids take over, creating an insane lounge room with a romantic vision’. This sounds like fun. I see gala-inspired pastel pink frilly frocks and Del’s patent wide-eyed innocent children occupying imaginary fantasy worlds of abstract patterns, foliage, native birds and rabbits.