A Rodarte kind of life

I don't know if any of you are avid followers of the Nowness. I have been reading, watching and being in daily awe since I discovered the website shortly after its launch in February last year. This week, or last Tuesday to be more precise, they published the long anticipated Rodarte short film, 'The Curve of Forgotten Things', directed by Todd Cole and starring Elle Fanning. I am a sucker for the Mulleavy sisters' aesthetic and have become very interested in Elle over the last few months despite not having yet seen 'Somewhere'. I have, however, seen her at plenty of press tour events wearing a fair share of Valentino and not enough although quite memorable SS11 Rodarte. Like this dress, a version of which she dons in the film.

Coincidentally, the release of the Rodarte short film happened on the same week as the Mulleavy's collection for Opening Ceremony hit the online store. This collection, while devised as a kind of diffusion line, is made up by as many well made desirable pieces as their main one. The sandy, beige and golden colour palette with a strong presence of tapestry fabrics is very much in line with what we saw on the runway. The only difference is there are a lot more separates —they do more pants for OC and also more accessories. The sunglasses and the shoes are a favourite of mine. Particularly the low cowboy boots in the oversized paisley material. Check out the whole collection here.

I'm off.

[Pictures: openingceremony.us]

mum, I make my own clothes

As someone would say, Rodarte was beyond. Every time I'm about to watch a runway show by someone I admire (be it in person, video or pictures) I have this conflict in my mind —They can't do wrong, but what if they do? What if they've gone bonkers and totally missed the point? Well, as I dealt with this little internal debacle of mine the Rodarte FW10 show finally started and then my doubts were blown away.
I loved the music, the dominance of whites and the shoes —some espadrille-like derivates more folky than the wedge ones we've seen before. I quite dug the slightly baggy virginal lace that covered arms and legs. The layering and fascinating mixture of fabrics were somewhat ethereal yet realistic and skilfully draped, twisted and shredded in the Rodarte manner that we know and love. I couldn't keep California out of my mind and kept wondering whether this was some sort of return to their roots —a doubt that still wanders my mind due to the lousy sound of the interview with the Mulleavys after the show.
The finale was pretty amazing. As the last four models stood in the middle the lights dimmed and switched to neons that gave a very different view of the dresses and even more magical. As Elvis uttered the first lines of the quite appropriate 'Blue Moon' the rest of the models walked the runway once again given the impression that it was a whole new collection.

[Screen captures from the streaming show at ShowStudio]

I'm off.

target us

While most of us skint fashionistas have seen the decay of designer collaborations for the high street courtesy of Matthew Williamson and Jimmy Choo, this field has flourished in the States. Rodarte for Target proves that good fashion can be made with fabrics of lesser quality and lower prices. And not only that but the Mulleavy sisters have actually translated their vision onto the street instead of underthinking "affordable" clothes like Williamson did. I am just hoping for take two including something similar to what they did for men at Opening Ceremony. (See the rest of Rodarte for Target here)

Zac Posen has been the latest American to add his name to the still short list of relevant designers collaborating with Target. Now, this collection doesn't look as breathtaking as Rodarte's but there is something flirtingly cool about the short A-line skirts and lame dresses. (See the whole collection here)

[Picture credits: NYmag.com, Fashionista.com, JustJared.com]

Bring Target to the UK, please. Join?

I'm off.

threads of grandeur

If you were waiting for something exciting to happen in men's fashion, the day has come. To me, nothing could be cooler than having the Mulleavy sisters and Alexander Wang sketch away for menswear sake. However, we still haven't seen Wang's collection and it might be a while until we get a proper Rodarte collection for men. For the time being, Kate and Laura have created two jumpers and two cardigans at the staggering price of $2760 each —not even the typical thing you can save some birthday money for. I won't have a problem accepting the grey jumper as a present.
Click here to go to the Opening Ceremony page.

I'm off.