Tome, the Australian design duo of Ramon Martin and Ryan Lobo, have just made their New York Fashion Week runway debut. But you may have already heard of them. Word has been building for a while. They won the Ecco Domani award last year, previously awarded to Proenza Schouler and Alexander Wang; they have already been presenting their collections for several seasons in more modest surroundings; they were finalists in this year’s CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund. (Watch them sportingly slug it out with 9 other emerging talents on Anna Wintour’s docu-series The Fashion Fund which follows the grueling selection process airing Wednesdays at 10pm on Ovation channel). Past contestants Derek Lam, Prabal Garung, Rag & Bone, Philip Lim, Rodarte, Thakoon were not even winners so that indicates the level of prestige just being nominated implies.
Full disclosure: Ramon is a friend of mine. Therefore I might be inclined to split the word in half and think Tome is special To Me. However I must accept the reality that every woman feels that way. In fact, Tome dedicates itself to you, and you, and yes, you too. Tome is whispering sweet nothings to females all over town without discrimination. We are being played and loving every minute of it. We feel romantic, sensual, accepted, complimented, understood, listened to. Before this we never believed we could be such visions of pared down loveliness. We dab the crystal stopper of the perfume bottle to our skin and Aretha Franklin’s Natural Woman is on the soundtrack.
You see, their collections are not inspired by architecture, or club wear or vintage anything or sunsets or seashells or…no, nothing so amateurish. Tome is inspired by women. Special women–like me and, yes, you–artists, thinkers, individualists. For Fall, they looked to Iranian artist Shirin Neshat, previously to Georgia O’Keeffe, Louise Bourgeois, Pina Bausch, Vanessa Beecroft.
Nor are Ryan and Ramon upstarts. They have earned their stripes even as they pursue new challenges and compete for new accolades. Ramon’s design career deposited him in some of the most desirable international houses–Alberta Ferretti, Jean Paul Gaultier, Derek Lam–and Ryan is a highly respected stylist and buyer. They’ve been friends since college and always knew this was in their future.
They chose the name Tome because it connotes a body of work and an image of longevity. So in that spirit, here is a record of their story so far. From A/W 2014 working back. This is entirely fitting as the Tome woman is a woman for all seasons, pairing pieces from the past seamlessly with new items.
I begin with backstage shots from Sonnyphotos.com showing the models goofing around as they rush from the catwalk between looks: they encapsulate the easygoing spirit and fluid, ornate fabrics of the collection better than any stiff catwalk images ever could. Then some images from past presentations and from their lookbooks. (Just time for one personal recommendation: their oversize felt coats leave you feeling like you have been scooped up into an all day bear hug.) Your journey concludes with a stunning short film of model Grace Bol wearing Tome.
I hope you enjoy their tale. This is only Volume 1…
The boys of Tome with Steven Kolb, CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America
Image from Tome short film starring Grace Bol. For film see below…
Click here to watch 1-minute film featuring Tome
Ramon and I
My novel set in the international fashion industry is available. You can buy Silk for the Feed Dogs here.
Jackie Mallon 
Very nice!
Real. Clothing. I am stunned to silence. Such graceful colors and shapes, how can it be so different and at the same time not look outlandish? They are genius. But I am sorry to hear that Tome didn’t win the Fashion Fund. I was rooting for them. Now I’ll switch to Parabellum. I adore the draped and pleated dress…and the long gloves are so modern retro. And the bear hug. I’d love a hug like that.
Yes, the colors and fabrics were really lovely this collection. I think it’s the way pieces are paired that makes them stand out. Re. FF as a second choice, I quite like the jewelry designer myself…
Yes, he strikes me as so talented as well. He always looks a little sad…maybe if he won it would cheer him up. Must be a tough field to work in. Especially given the price of gold.
🙂 He seems like a little tortured and sensitive soul. A little bird. But his drawings on the computer are so complex and detailed!
I’d love to know how he casts his work. Fascinating to see it come together. He works like a madman. He makes me want to feed him.
I love that he appeals to your nurturing instinct! That’s it, he’s like a little spaniel. His floppy hair in place of long ears. Maybe that’s it?
I like his shabby clothes and his bicycle. I wonder what he’d look like if someone took him in hand. Poor little spaniel pup…
Oh Jackie, the burgundy satin blouse, the peacock dress, the gloves and the hidden peek of the pink sheath dress had me in the first picture. Whew~ You are very much allowed to be proud of your friends – they are fantastic!
Oh it is very you, isn’t it? Ladylike with a touch of mystery. I’ll be sure to pass on your compliments.
Such a sophisticated and elegant collection combined with so many chic and classy elements…
long satin gloves, below the knee hemlines, bias cuts, wide lace, rich tapestry prints …
and those oversized {all day bear hug} felt coats, especially that one in dove gray…
still has me swooning–actually that whole entire look was me to a “T”!!…
j’adore your very talented friends and their collection(s)~ xo
I’ll be sure to let them know. They get a kick out of making fashionable ladies such as yourself swoon…:-)
Thanks for the heads up. Glorious shapes and that cuddle coat!!!
Happy to oblige! Everyone needs a cuddle coat!
So very lady-like! Where do they retail?
They have stockiest in quite a few countries now and are building more. Here is their website: http://tomenyc.com
I had not heard of Tome before and this was the best possible intro! We all need (more) elegance and sophistication in our lives and Tome is the perfect place for a fix! Hope they reach Europe soon!
Ah, this made me feel even less sexy about the baggy cotton dress and fuzzy socks I am wearing right now.
You kidding, you rock that ensemble! I heard that said during fashion week. Someone will be round to interview you about it, so just add some earrings and you’re all set. You icon, you!
Hehe..slap me on the wrist for not popping over sooner..was told you’d done a Tome post – and how fabulous it is!! They caught my eye..Honest to God, they’re good – but your pics are the best I’ve seen of them..wish I’d found the other butterfly numbers!! xxx
Hey Kate, we’ve missed you round these here parts! Thanks for the kind words and the fellas at Tome thank you too. xo