Tome: Designers From Down Under

Most college students bond over studying horror stories and shot of cheap liquor. When Ryan Lobo and Ramon Martin met at the University of Technology Sydney in Australia back in the 1980s, they created a strong friendship and that friendship led to a brand. Fast forward to 2011 and their fashion line, Tome, was born. Prior to Tome, Lobo and Martin worked their way through the fashion industry. After they graduated from college, Martin became a fashion designer and Lobo became a fashion buyer, but they managed to maintain their friendship and eventually decided to work together.

“We have known each other for years and years, we studied together and have been very close friends for a good fifteen years now. We always said that if we were going to do something, we would do it together,” the designers told Oyster Magazine. “Respectively, we have each done very different things in the industry, so between us, we have quite a good experience base within the industry. Then, towards the end of 2010, it all just came together. It felt like the right time and we said, ‘Let’s do it’.”
Those years of experience in the fashion industry paid off. Their clothes are clean and crisp, but with a slight edge. They seem to favor a billowy silhouette and more subdued colors in their designs. They draw some of their inspiration from fine art, especially their color palettes. “Yes, we were very influenced by the tones and colours of Louise Bourgeois’ sculptures and handmade dolls,” they said to Oyster. “That’s why there are a lot of nudes, flesh tones and pale colours in the collection that appear almost sun-bleached. A lot of the pieces are designed to be like second skins. They really come to life on the body.”

That inspiration definitely contributes to their look or lack of one. Tome prides themselves on having something for every woman. They aren’t tied to one type of style. “I think ‘a stripped-back beauty’ would describe it best,” they told Oyster. “Aesthetically, we don’t try to create a total look or do anything that dictates how a woman should dress. “
Although the designers are from the other side of the world, they are generating some  a buzz here in the States. In early February, they showed their line for the New York Fashion Week and they were the only Australian line there. The pair also accepted a prestigious Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation award, an honor that has helped to propel the career of famed designers like Zac Posen and Derek Lam, and they are already feeling the benefits of their win. “It pushed us into our first presentation which was very timely. We are completely self-funded and being involved in NYFW is no small financial ask, so this bridged the gap for us,” Lobo said to Broadstreet Sydney, an Australian website. “The attention due to the award has been overwhelmingly great and the press and buyers are really taking notice.”

Lobo and Martin are steadily building their brand and they have a very simple goal in mind.
“I think the ultimate goal though is to keep doing what we’re doing. We get so excited about each new collection and we never want to get to the point where we don’t love what we do,” they remarked to Oyster. “We’re very invested, we’re very excited and we don’t want to lose that thrill.”
Australia isn’t typically known as a fashion capital but designers like Lobo and Martin could be paving the way for other designers from down under. Tome proves that their homeland has more than kangaroos and koala bears. This might be the start of a new fashion empire.
–Ashleigh Atwell