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Coveted Craft: Rodarte




Kate Mulleavy, half of the sister-duo behind fearless fashion label Rodarte, once said, “It’s not only about having a good idea, but the art of how you bring it to life and the care and beauty that’s put into it.” And that’s as true of relationships as it is of craft.

I was fortunate to attend the National Museum of Women in the Arts’ first-ever fashion exhibit celebrating Rodarte’s innovative designs. For years, I’ve admired Kate and Laura Mulleavy’s talent, their innate understanding of each other, and how deeply entwined they are as a creative entity. Being so close with my own sisters, I know how fortunate I am to have forged such strong bonds. We finish each other’s thoughts, share in each other’s joy, and can feel one another's pain. The care and the beauty we have put into our relationship has inspired me to create designs that have emotional value beyond the bodies they adorn.

I felt that same transcendence while observing the Mulleavy sisters’ collections. Their obsessions came to life as meticulously crafted, wearable works of art. The iridescent tide pools of Monterey, where the Mulleavys often spent time as kids, manifested in ethereal, sequin-embroidered net gowns studded with hand-feathered anemones. The café in San Francisco where Francis Ford Coppola wrote The Godfather fueled a romantic, art nouveau-esque collection of ruffled leather, lace and hand-cut floral paillettes.  It was more than just fashion—it was pure expression of the sisters’ deep connection, creativity and hand-craftsmanship, expanding the view of what art can be—it’s what I aspire to with all of my designs.

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