ROMP Clothing and the Glamorous Rock ‘n’ Roll World of Nina Morgan-Jones

When the Los Angeles Times labels something as “Awesome Biba inspired. Oozing femme fatale charm,” you know it must be simply fantastic. Well I can confidently say that ROMP, as well as the incredible woman behind it — Nina Morgan Jones — are both exceptional.

Founded in 2002, ROMP combines vintage inspired design with contemporary styling, lending itself a timeless yet nevertheless 70’s, rock ‘n’ roll, Biba-chic aesthetic. ROMP utilises the highest quality fine Italian and French raw materials — leathers, suedes, shearlings and wild silks — to create handcrafted, luxury, forever pieces of clothing and interior fashions.

Nina’s custom designs alongside her core offerings have been featured in films, TV and music videos. From celebrities to a select number of brides who have utilised her discreet luxury, made-to-measure service— Nina has outfitted them all. Inside each one of us is the “Romp Woman” — the innocent, the femme fatale, the mother, the wife, the bohemian-exotique, the chaser of dreams. Nina reminds us that our sensuality is our strength.

Romp shows us the other side of fashion— that there are those in the industry who move beyond the superficial. Her pieces are so much more than tantalising fabrics crafted to accentuate the figure — which of course they do marvellously. Aside from her sleek, elegant cuts, her pieces stand for what  many have forgotten — the art of being human and living in accordance to our divine mission — whatever that may be. We are all on this earth for a limited time, we might as well seize every opportunity to dress ourselves beautifully… to dress ourselves divinely.

So cheers to Nina — whose clothes remind us to celebrate life and the beauty that is found not only around us, but in ourselves as well. Today I’m lucky enough to interview this exceptional woman.

Interview by Isabella Moulton

My dearest Nina, thank you for joining me today.

You’re such a pleasure. Thank you for having me.

Over the years you’ve told me several fantastic stories involving some of your adventures in platforms running around Hollywood and sourcing fabrics from far off lands.. I absolutely adore hearing about your life, and can’t wait to hear more today.

Ah, thank you. We’ve been in business for 21 years, so there are so many tales to tell!

Would you be so kind as to tell me how your stylistic journey began?  Was there a pivotal moment in your life when you realised fashion design was your destined path — or was it little by little over time?

I grew up in a grand mill in the Welsh countryside and at a young age spent a lot of time entertaining myself, watching black and white old Hollywood movies and perusing my mother’s glamorous ‘dressing up box’. I was never really into fashion, more about creating fantasies.

What is your clientele like? Who is the “Romp” woman in your eyes?

Over the years I’ve garnered a very international and loyal clientele. Our youngest customer was a 3 year old Californian and the oldest ….a legendary New York Cabaret Chanteuse in her 80s, whom I serendipitously met on one of those Manhattan nights where anything can happen. I like to think the Romp woman has an innate personal style, and seeks us out for something timeless in exceptional materials that you can’t find on the high street. We have our classic core collection that many of my clients have collected piece by piece, in addition to bespoke custom designs or wedding gowns and trousseaus created intimately with the client.

What have been some of your favourite pieces you’ve created over the years? Why did they leave such a lasting impression?

Our first entirely certified organic collection was produced in 2006.  Every piece was fully traceable, the leathers were organically tanned and dyed with natural, holistic dyes. It was borne of a dream created by two, working out of a basement in Hackney, London. It became a labour of love and the core, as well as the aesthetic results launched in our LA and European boutiques, were beautiful in many ways. My favourite pieces were probably the Organic leather 1930’s style luggage sets – Trunks, hat boxes and suitcases, lined in suede with our faded rose print, all produced in Organic leather and natural dyes.

Are you working on any special projects at the moment that you would like to share?

I’m working on an ongoing project in LA with my friend, the American singer Pearl Aday, beloved daughter of Meatloaf and our rock n roll Pearl x Romp Collection. It’s a collection of seasonless loungewear pieces, made in raw French silks. The most tactile silk pyjamas with the softest tailored pants, pieces you can wear to bed and equally out to dinner, languid silk column dresses and kaftans. We wanted the pieces to be effortless and feel incredibly soft and silken on the body. It’s a jetset but nonchalant vibe.

What does the future of Romp look like? What is on the horizon?

More film and videography. We’re currently developing new Romp pieces in our ateliers in the French Riviera, London and Italy for private viewing at our trunk shows. Amongst others, I also ghost design for a beautiful Italian resortwear brand and have some creative collaborations on the horizon. In-house, we’re currently developing our Romp naturally dyed silk collections and broadening our Organic selection. In my spare time I’m part of the fabulous OMA (Organic Marketing Association). I passionately advocate a holistic, wild and organic lifestyle and natural modalities to health. OMA is all about it.

Where can people acquire your magnificent pieces? 

Our online boutique rompboutique.com, Instagram @rompclothing and by appointment in our London atelier, St Tropez and at our private trunk shows around the world. Rsvp by signing up to our mailing list on the website.

Nina as always, it has been an absolute pleasure and honour to speak with a woman who is not only incredibly talented and beautiful, but one who is also so deeply compassionate, humble  and real – a rarity in our world. Thank you.

You’re an absolute pleasure and such a talent in your own right Bella, thank you so much for having me here.

Isabella Moulton Instagram @Baroque.N.Roll