Designer A-Z

Rodarte

Autumn/Winter 2010

SHOW SCHEDULES

By Avril Mair

The lights went down. Somebody lit candles.

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And then white confetti was scattered all along the catwalk.

It can often be difficult to read meaning into the Mulleavy sisters' abstract inspirations. But for their Auntumn Winter 2010 Rodarte show, the mood the designers invoked seemed much more straightforward. With Natalie Portman and Kirsten Dunst sitting front row, the duo sent out a series of handcrafted patchwork dresses; pretty, folksy and impossible to describe.

Layered over sheer jewelled leggings and wool stockings, or a skinny cropped trouser, there were floral and tribal prints, sweeps of chiffon, panels of lace, strands of pearls, crochet, fringing. There were often all these things in the same dress. In soft berry colours, then white and soft cream, the spirit was purely romantic. It looked like a beautiful, if slightly haphazard, wedding procession. Dreamy and desirable, this was one of Rodarte's finest moments. We can all say yes to that.