Rodarte F/W 09

Rodarte displays an avante garde interpretation of futurism. American designing duo Kate and Laura Mulleavy, who are sisters, presented a collection that had an avante garde touch of sci-fi and alien like commotion with great emphasis on texture and structure. They have also managed to stay true to their trademark aesthetic of mesh and match style. The encouragement for this idea was from Dutch photographer Ari Marcopoulas, who had his photos displayed on the show program. The images from Marcopoulas are black and white photos of city streets, stones, desert landscape and desolate debris. This stimulated the Mulleavy team to create a reinterpreted organic patchwork of pieces all made from deluxe fabric scraps of Lurex, lace, leather and netting. The pieces in the collection consisted of mostly of soft grays, apple green, pewter, silver and gold. Pale gray leather was printed and manipulated to look like veined gray stone. Little lizard belts, tops that were crisscrossed and shag wool boleros gave it that sci-fi feeling. The luxurious fabrics and handmade construction gave this collection couture like quality.

The show was held at the Gagosian Gallery on West 24th Street in Chelsea. The sci-fi sensation was perceptible on the backdrop with materials composed of fiber glass, raw planks and tin foiled that was molded to look futuristic. The soundtrack was solemn with music from Joy Division. Supermodel Sasha Pivovarova opened the show in a gray silk chiffon mini dress, resembling gray stone, was paired with light gray thigh boots with crossed leather lacing. There was a great number of assorted tunics with the organic patchwork gave it an avante garde appeal. Each look had a toughened up look with a metallic material that almost made it seem like sturdy indication of steel.

The makeup also added a gorgeous alien chic appeal to the look of the models that had the palest makeup with pale purple lipstick and tight pulled back hair. The Mulleavy sisters collaborated with the genius of sky-high heel designer Nicholas Kirkwood to make the striking thigh boots that came in light gray, pewter and black.
Admired pieces in the collection were the taut leather biker jackets that had lace and Swarovski crystals and lace that was entirely hand-stitched. The shag wool boleros were also very appealing and one of the most innovative pieces in the collection.

Kate and Laura Mulleavy have managed to present a thriving collection with couture like elements and an avante garde appeal. The Rodarte woman is ready to take on the future with great style and an amazing pair of Nicholas Kirkwood thigh boots. –Brent Billiman, New York City, USA.


Stan Honda Photo: Model Jourdan Dunn for Rodarte F/W 09


Stan Honda Photo: Model Sasha Pivovarova for Rodarte F/W 09


Stan Honda Photo: Model Heidi Mount for Rodarte F/W 09


Stan Honda Photo: Model Jessica Stam for Rodarte F/W 09


Stan Honda Photo: Model Kamila Filipcikova for Rodarte F/W 09


Stan Honda Photo: Model Yulia for Rodarte F/W 09


Stan Honda Photo: Model Coco Rocha for Rodarte F/W 09


Stan Honda Photo: Model Alexa for Rodarte F/W 09


Stan Honda Photo: Model Marina Peres for Rodarte F/W 09


Stan Honda Photo: Model Kasia Struss for Rodarte F/W 09


Stan Honda Photo: Model for Rodarte F/W 09


Stan Honda Photo: Model Jules Mordovets for Rodarte F/W 09