‘Australian natives and a contemporary silhouette’: The story behind Jodie Haydon’s dress

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For a rare fairytale moment in Australian politics, Jodie Haydon avoided the princess fantasy of meringue dresses and sweetheart necklines, instead choosing a dramatic long-sleeved gown fit for a fashion queen from Sydney label Romance Was Born, for her wedding to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

The elegant gown, with fabric-covered buttons, demonstrates the restrained artistry of designers Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales, who this year celebrated their label’s 20th anniversary at Australian Fashion Week.

“It was an honour to dress Jodie, and we think she is amazing,” Plunkett says. “The dress is so beautiful, it fuses our love of Australian natives and a contemporary silhouette.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in MJ Bale and Jodie Haydon wearing a gown by Romance Was Born married at The Lodge in Canberra.

In the past, Romance Was Born designs have incorporated Australian native flora and fauna elements through the work of May Gibbs characters Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, but they contained themselves on this occasion to subtle references through the embroidery.

Haydon was on hand to witness the unveiling of the designers’ portrait at the National Gallery Portrait Gallery in Canberra in July, placing them among early contenders for the coveted commission.

“The elegant long silk gown with beautiful embroideries and adornments are signature Romance,” says Mattie Cronan style director, The Australian Women’s Weekly, who worked with Albanese and Haydon for the March issue of the magazine, released just in time for the election campaign.

“Jodie is a passionate champion of Australian fashion and especially female founders.”

Romance Was Born is popular on the red carpet with stylish actors such as Cate Blanchett and Rose Byrne, but finance executive Haydon’s surprise selection should help shift their profile beyond fashion insiders.

The last time the wife of an Australian prime minister made headlines in a white dress, it was Lady Sonia McMahon at the White House, on the arm of then-US president Richard Nixon in 1971.

The dress, picked by then-prime minister Billy McMahon, was slit to the thigh, with nude illusion fabric inserts climbing to the armpits.

Haydon’s wedding dress selection chose sophistication over shock value. It is not known if Albanese was involved in the selection process.

“Having worked with Jodie for the Parliamentary Ball, I discovered that she’s got an exquisite sense of style and really knows what works,” says stylist Donny Galella, who dressed Haydon in a high-necked red crêpe waterfall dress from Carla Zampatti in August.

“The soft A-line silhouette is perfect on her. The beading detail adds just the right amount of drama. And I love that the prime minister went for a navy tuxedo rather than black.”

While Haydon took the high road, Albanese was a man of the people in a suit from high street staple MJ Bale. The Saunders-style tuxedo jacket retails for $749. While Albanese recently faced criticism for dressing down, wearing a T-shirt promoting the band Joy Division, he dressed up below the ankles. Unlike tycoon Rupert Murdoch in sneakers at his most recent wedding, Albanese wore shoes.

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