ROMARØ’s Élyor firmly transformed the runway into a conversation between fashion, architecture, and cultural storytelling.

Created by co-designers Roja and Maneli, ROMARØ explores Iranian identity through sculptural couture and experimental construction. When creating Élyor, the duo looked to Persian architecture and geometry, creating garments that have a balance of structure and feminine softness while exploring themes of memory, resilience, and transformation. The collection aimed to blur the line between clothing and wearable art through the use of boning, pleating, resin, lace, chiffon, and architectural silhouettes.

From the opening look, it was clear that shape was going to be the strongest suit from this collection. The garments extended beyond the body,either with boning or with texture, creating sculptural silhouettes that were monumental and dramatic. Cage-like structures appeared throughout the collection, framing the body in ways that combined both architecture and couture. These looks were among the strongest moments of the show, successfully using glamour and structural design to work together, creating visually striking looks on the runway.

Photographer: @cosplay @mio_mak | FAT

Lots of lace, tulle, and chiffon highlighted movement on the runway, creating an interesting contrast against the more rigid architectural elements. When these materials worked together, they produced some of the collection's most successful looks. The beauty styling was appreciated for its glamorous hair and makeup that elevated the presentation and helped unify the collection's visual identity. Each model styling strengthened the collection's focus on celebrating femininity and high glamour.

What drew me in the most was the way the garments interacted with the female form. Even within the collection's more experimental silhouettes, the intention was clear to highlight and celebrate the body. Curves, proportions, and sculptural shapes directed attention toward the wearer. The result was a collection that expressed both artistic and deeply connected to the women wearing it.

At times, the collection's strongest ideas competed with one another. While the sculptural approach was visually ambitious, some looks felt very similar in silhouette and construction, making it more difficult for individual garments to stand apart as the show progressed. The repeated use of certain shapes reduced some of the impact that the collection established early on. The resin and plastic-like elements also created mixed results that sometimes weren't very appealing to the eye and felt further away from the glamorous fashion element that was felt with other looks. Conceptually, they aligned with the collection's exploration of material experimentation and futuristic design. On the runway, however, these details were occasionally distracted from the elegance found in the lace, tulle, and chiffon pieces, which felt more visually cohesive within the overall presentation.

Despite those moments, Élyor succeeded in communicating a clear artistic vision. ROMARØ The collection may not have been the most wearable presentation of the evening, but that was never its intention. Instead, it challenged viewers to consider fashion as architecture, symbolism, and art. ROMARØ offered something entirely different: a runway experience rooted in heritage, experimentation, and the pursuit of creating garments that exist in other realms around Toronto.