Rodarte Does Couture

After co-designing the costumes for Oscar-winning movie Black Swan, collaboration with Opening Ceremony, Gap and Target, designing collections that were regularly seen on fashion A-listers Natalie Portman, Chloe Sevigny, Keira Knightly and Kristen Dunst just to name a few, it was only a matter of time before sister Kate and Laura Mulleavy applied their unique design aesthetic into a couture collection. 


Starting Rodate in 2005 with no formal training in fashion the Mulleavy sisters have become a fashion force to be reckoned with. As part of the Pitti Immagine Uomo trade fair the sisters created an installation of 10 beautiful couture pieces. Favouring pastel colours, pleats and flowing soft georgette in their ready-to-wear line, these details were carried through to their couture line. Adding delicate sequins and crystals, metal plates, melted into beautiful sunbursts and ruffled details and feathers, the Rodarte pieces stood like works of art in rooms fashioned with wood and stone, illuminated by flashing rods of light.


The gowns, inspired by the Renaissance era, particularly the frescoes of Fra Angelico are destined for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art which means they may never be worn. Lauren said that it was interesting to see the dresses in a space which did not have a "commercial dialogue" as the pieces were not designed to be sold and may never be worn. 


Check out the beautiful dresses and installations below:

Information sourced from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/18/fashion/18iht-rpitti18.html
Images sourced from http://stylebubble.typepad.com, http://www.autumndewilde.com/