The National Portrait Gallery has commissioned artist Samuel Hodge to create a work that marks the 20th anniversary of the fashion label, Romance Was Born.

The two designers, Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales, whose works have been shown at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, were on hand on Friday with Hodge to admire the huge installed work, which goes on display to the public from Saturday.

Established in 2005, Romance Was Born’s couture has been influenced by Australiana and pop culture and they have worked with Australian artists such as Linda Jackson, Jenny Kee, Del Kathryn Barton and Ken Done.

Their clients include Bjork, Caroline Kennedy, Cate Blanchett, Roisin Murphy, Nicki Minaj, Patricia Piccinini and Miley Cyrus.

A long-time collaborator of Plunkett and Sales, Hodge saw his photographic work featured in Romance Was Born’s Spring/Summer 2020 Golden Promise collection.

His new portrait, specially commissioned by the gallery, comprises layered photographic collages drawn from his personal archive of images of Romance Was Born, taken for official campaigns, backstage during fashion shows, or in candid moments.

Romance Was Born, National Portrait Gallery.