Rodarte SS14
Rodarte takes on West America...
Red and blue neon lights littered the floor at 548 Tenth and Eleventh Avenue. It soon became clear when they dropped some old school hip-hop beats that the runway has become the streets in all sense of the word. With mirrors amongst the lighting acting as dull shop windows in downtown L.A or, the glitzy illuminated buildings in Las Vegas. Laura and Kate Mulleavy previous collection looked at their life growing up in California in a hippy trippy vibe with long length maxi skirts in tie dye prints. This collection is taking that exploration further to other areas in America that they hold close to their hearts.
Tassels, leather and animal print in all variations from Leopard to Zebra dominated this show. Tacky some might say, but when you think of the bright lights of Vegas what first comes to mind? Even the Cuban heeled python print boots can be envisaged on a cigar smoking hot shot in Vegas. ‘His’ showgirls by his side in their Rodarte tasselled bra tops and itty bitty shorts. The 80’s influence of many of the sister’s collections makes an appearance here with large boxy tweed blazers paired with vertical striped waistcoats. The flicked cat eye make-up and side swept hair with a quiff is relatively neat but anarchistic allowing it to also represent other grittier stories. The dress with a mesh emblazoned scorpion motif wrapped around the models torso creates feeling of rebellion and danger as it instantly demands attention.
This collection can take you from one place to the next with classic slide split skirts and asymmetric cuts, representing the diverse lives of the Rodarte woman. Perhaps that of the Latin American Chola girl on the street corners of southern Los Angeles. The coiffed hair styling looks like it should have a bandana fitted securely around it, the make-up also being a wearable version of the way Chola girls made themselves up with thick eyeliner. They would certainly be able to appreciate the J Dilla soundtrack that the models strut to. With the DIY aesthetic of the thick brushed gold padlock earrings and necklaces paired with the sweetheart neckline of the bra tops creates perfect contrast of edge and femininity.
Or take the low slung slide split skirt and checked shirt combo that wouldn’t look out of place on any skater kid in the City Of Angels, with the backwards cap of course. Whatever way you look at it this collection encapsulates the spirit of 1980’s West America from the trashy-sexy showgirls of Vegas, to the Chola girlsand even the skater chicks from L.A.
The nighty-like floor length dress in luxurious black, white and gold will surely be spotted on the next red carpet. Not forgetting the dreamy all white number seen on Lindsay Wixon for its effortless but alluring appeal. Don’t let the tassels scare you off they are surprisingly wearable. Just imagine the look combined with romantic silk ruffles, tiny animal print shorts, all in expensive shades of gold and ivory white, perfect for those hazy summer days.