RODARTE FW 09.

Designers  Kate and Laura Mulleavy focused on textures and fabrics for the Rodarte Fall Winter 2009 collection.  The Mini dress silhouette was the canvas for beautifully constructed artful looks.    

 

Each look was worn with towering thigh high patent leather boots by Nicholas Kirkwood that wrapped closely around the model's spindly legs.  These bondage style boots had a hosiery effect that worked well with the clothing of this collection.    The nude matte makeup and slicked back hair resulted in an android like uniformity and  prevented any distraction from the visually stimulating looks. All of these elements created a romantic yet futuristic vibe that was incredibly striking.  

 

One of my favorite looks featured Kelly green silk  that was worked into a tinfoil like texture skirt and contrasted with it's delicate paper mache-esque neutral colored top.  Other looks featured fabrics that resembled marble or a water color painting.  One dress blended so perfectly with the model's skin it was as if she was wearing wallpaper.  Other looks had fabrics that were virtually copper and other metals.   The manipulation of fabrics truly played with our perception of reality.  Never have fabrics so closely take on qualities of stone and metal.  Many looks featured  arrays of material such as leather and silk working in perfect harmony in intricate collages.  

 

Knits also played a complementary role and could be seen in thick scarves and  fringed cardigans worn over the dresses.  They complemented looks without appearing as random embellishments.    In every look each piece fused together effortlessly creating seamless looks that were never over styled.  

 

Some may criticize this collection for it's lack of variety of silhouettes but it is clear that this was completely intentional.  The Mulleavys presented a collection that was literally fashion as art and changing the canvas would have made this collection less effective and extraordinary.  This stunning collection is fit to be displayed on the walls of any museum , but will look best displayed on the most versatile canvas of all: the woman.