Romi Rai’s “Marine World”
B.Sc. in Fashion and Apparel Design 2022
“Marine World: A Love Letter to Marine” is not merely an aesthetic runway stroll—it’s Romi Rai ambushing you with the bitter truth that, as much breathtaking beauty and magic the ocean has, it is also subject to widespread ecological deterioration. She’s dragging you down to ride on jellyfish wisps, shining fish scales, and the cloudy embrace of sea foam. She’s not just about making pretty clothes; Romi is on a mission to raise awareness about marine disasters in a bold and impactful way.
It’s all about liquid shape and line that looks as if it could slide off your shoulders. Tacked-out drapes, shimmery accents, she’s channelling Poseidon through working with fabric. Seaweed-like organza and chiffon drift along, crunchy tissue and silky blends that drape languidly, making you think they grew on water. And then there’s the drama: pearls, beads, swinging fringe—the fashion equivalent of an underwater apartment for little clownfish.
Getting to this beauty wasn’t a piece of cake. Romi’s is fighting the perpetual struggle between “dreamy ocean goddess” and “will this piece of clothing stay tightly in place when worn?” Light fabric, crazy ideas, the perpetual mood shift between “flowing concept” and “outdoor fitting attire”—it’s nice chaos.
This assortment is for the risk-takers. For those who’ll read a Greenpeace article over brunch and have the conviction to back it up. The audience is 20- to 35-year-olds who live for fashion as a way of expression and art. That being said, any entrepreneurial decision-maker can pull off this art in textile form. Romi Rai’s “Marine World” is not about external appearance or trendiness—it’s about getting you to feel and compel you to rescue a marine animal or two.