Bronx and Banco: Lost in Paradise
Photo Courtesy of Bronx and Banco
On the morning of September 8, 2023, Bronx and Banco unveiled their Spring/Summer 2024 collection, Lost in Paradise, at POPULAR in the PUBLIC Hotel. This remarkable collection draws its inspiration from the exploration of the delicate balance between personal expression and the natural world. Crafted amidst the serene beauty of Bali, Indonesia, the SS24 collection serves as a captivating homage to the island’s breathtaking nature and rich culture.
Founded in 2009 by designer Natalie De’Banco, the Australian label swiftly garnered global recognition, catching the eye of esteemed luxury retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus (and even Queen Bey herself). De’Banco’s passion for fashion and her family’s deep-rooted history in the industry, combined with her Russian heritage and Australian upbringing, drove her to open her inaugural boutique at Bondi Beach, an iconic Australian destination. This bold move occurred as she pursued her design studies at Enmore Design School in Sydney, Australia. When Natalie traveled to Bali to work on the collection, she discovered that the beautiful island of Halmahera, which is home to one of the last nomadic tribes, is being permanently wiped out by a massive nickel mining project for electric car batteries.
During the creation of this collection, the designer embarked on a journey to Bali and made a poignant discovery. It was revealed that Halmahera, a beautiful island housing one of the last remaining nomadic tribes, faced an existential threat from an expansive nickel mining project geared towards electric car batteries. Known as the Hongana Manyawa tribe, which translates to “People of the Forest,” they are among the dwindling un-contacted hunter-gatherer groups who rely on the rainforest for their very survival. Every garment within the Lost in Paradise collection becomes a canvas for the designer’s artistic expression, symbolizing an offering akin to those presented by the Balinese people to their gods daily. These offerings are intended to bridge the divine and earthly realms, nurturing the land and safeguarding its inhabitants.
We had the privilege of speaking with designer Natalie De’Banco about her newest collection during our recent fashion week coverage at The Garnette Report.
Zoey: Can you share the story behind the founding of Bronx & Banco and your role in shaping the brand’s identity?
Natalie: I founded at very young age, I needed a job (laughs), so I wanted to start my own business and I think I was 16, I always love dresses since I was a little girl. I would play with buttons and I would play dress up like most girls, but I found eBay and that’s how my career got started after one year creating samples and selling them online, I decided to go into custom bridal, then I went to Enmore design school, in Sydney, Australia and the rest is history.
Natalie: What inspires your design aesthetic, and how do you incorporate those inspirations into your collections?
Zoey: Every time is different, so my inspire comes from everywhere. I try to think outside the box when I create my collection. Like last year I drew my inspiration for my collection, Burnt by the Sun, from animals and [it] was an ode to safari. This year’s inspiration is very different, this year’s collection is more so focused on purpose. I actually went to Bali and while I was there, I found this little island, which is getting mined and being destroyed. The name of the island is called Halmahera, located in Indonesia. There is a little tribe (Hongana Manyawa tribe) there with 800 people who have been there their whole lives and I just really connected to this story and it truly upset me. So, I made this collection to bring more awareness of what’s going on in this island. Sometimes you can get some inspirations from things that made you sad or happy. The fact this island is being destroyed in order to make sustainable cars is absolutely insane. The dresses in the collection represents the offerings that people would bring every morning to buddha, to the temples, or their god.
Zoey: How do you ensure that your designs are both fashionable and functional?
Natalie: I try them on. I actually wear my clothing that’s the easiest way to tell if they’re comfortable because sometimes an outfit can be very beautiful but not comfortable.
Photo Courtesy of Bronx and Banco
Photo Courtesy of Bronx and Banco
Photo Courtesy of Bronx and Banco