I have to admit, unlike most people who fell head over heels instantly for Rodarte, the romantic line by sisters Laura and Kate Mulleavy, it's taken a while to grow on me. There latest collection has made me a full blown admirer with the gray thigh high strappy boots and form flattering, odd combination piecing that would make the sisters a shoo-in for designing costumes for the next epic intelligent sci fi film – if I ran the world.
The shredded yarns, the piecing and the limited palette with pops of unexpected colors are all an extension of their spring line which played with the human form – namely rib cages too. It was perhaps the season before that – Fall 08, that defined the unique mix of craftiness, strange color combinations, and ladylike decay that they've become known for and have perfected.
I gained a deep respect after seeing one of those pieces, diaphanous “blood stained” gown at the Goth FIT show. They came to New York with their first collection with out any design training and little more than talent, a rare vision and hard work. It's enough to inspire anyone to follow their dreams.
But what do you think?