Kate Mulleavy & Laura Mulleavy
Designers, Rodarte
The sisters have earned critical acclaim for their intricate, costume-like collections, inspired by the art world and their California base.
Kate and Laura Mulleavy are the Los Angeles-based duo behind fashion brand Rodarte, which they debuted to critical acclaim in 2005. They have been honoured with the CFDA’s Emerging Womenswear Designer award and the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Award, among other accolades.
The Mulleavys began designing on their parents’ kitchen table in Pasadena, California, where, with no formal training, they started to develop their ethereal, conceptual womenswear. The pair, who employ couture-like techniques, have come under fire for not considering the commercial aspects of their work, but told Time magazine, “We are very artistic. We’ll always take the artistic choice over the non-artistic decision. But everyday you’re dealing with the business side — it’s never removed. There’s no bubble you can live in and act like you can do this without running a business."
With an eye for dramatic creations that blur the line between fashion and art, they have created costumes for Oscar Academy Award-winning film "Black Swan" (2010) and various opera productions. They have also staged several exhibitions at sites including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and designed for Target.
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What's Next for New York?
The centrifugal force that once held New York Fashion Week together is losing its strength but that’s not necessarily a bad thing for the likes of Sies Marjan, Rodarte, Prabal Gurung and Opening Ceremony.
What's Next for New York?
The centrifugal force that once held New York Fashion Week together is losing its strength but that’s not necessarily a bad thing for the likes of Sies Marjan, Rodarte, Prabal Gurung and Opening Ceremony.
Proenza Schouler and Rodarte Return to New York Fashion Week
Having departed to Paris Couture Week three seasons ago, the brands rejoin New York royalty including Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch and Ralph Lauren.
Proenza Schouler and Rodarte Return to New York Fashion Week
Having departed to Paris Couture Week three seasons ago, the brands rejoin New York royalty including Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch and Ralph Lauren.
Kate and Laura’s Weirdworld
The Rodarte sisters' work has occasionally been labelled pretty, but there’s always something weird too.
Kate and Laura’s Weirdworld
The Rodarte sisters' work has occasionally been labelled pretty, but there’s always something weird too.
Rodarte to Show in Paris
The Los Angeles-based label will host an intimate presentation in Paris this season, with plans to align its runway collections with the couture schedule starting in July 2017.
Rodarte to Show in Paris
The Los Angeles-based label will host an intimate presentation in Paris this season, with plans to align its runway collections with the couture schedule starting in July 2017.
Rodarte's Flight of the Bumble Bee
The Mulleavy sisters took inspiration from the bees in their Pasadena backyard, resulting in swathes of honeycomb tulle, drifts of pollen-shaped embroideries and a honey-toned colour palette.
Rodarte's Flight of the Bumble Bee
The Mulleavy sisters took inspiration from the bees in their Pasadena backyard, resulting in swathes of honeycomb tulle, drifts of pollen-shaped embroideries and a honey-toned colour palette.
Pure Fashion Voodoo
The innate theatricality of the Mulleavy sisters' clothes worked to their advantage here, but the question lingers as to whether they can build a sustainable business.
Pure Fashion Voodoo
The innate theatricality of the Mulleavy sisters' clothes worked to their advantage here, but the question lingers as to whether they can build a sustainable business.
Romantic Poetry Possesses Rodarte
The Mulleavy sisters cited romantic poetry as their inspiration, but it wasn’t immediately clear how this was translated into clothes that had all the glitter and glam of the honky tonk.
Romantic Poetry Possesses Rodarte
The Mulleavy sisters cited romantic poetry as their inspiration, but it wasn’t immediately clear how this was translated into clothes that had all the glitter and glam of the honky tonk.
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The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.
