Rodarte's Guide to Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Rookie Mag had a real treat this week.  They posted an article from the edgy, occasionally goth-inspired designers of Rodarte.  It turns out, in addition to loving "Living Dead Dolls" Kate and Laura Mulleavy loved the vampire fighting show as much as I did.

Their article in Rookie Mag lists their favorite moments of the show (I agreed with every one of them).  From the heartbreak of the Angel/Buffy love story to the devastation of her mother's death.  The sheer terror of episode "Hush" and the finale image of Sunnydale's Hellmouth.  

To read their picks in detail, click through here...

Photo courtesy of WB/CW

Rodarte's Noir Fashion Exhibit at Museum of Contemporary Arts

In business for only six years, the Mulleavy sisters of Rodarte have been one of the most lauded and respected fashion designers of the current generation.  Honored by Michelle Obama with the Cooper Hewitt Award, celebrated by the fashion elite, the label is now being honored at the Museum of Contemporary Arts in Los Angeles.

The exhibit, “Rodarte: States of Matter” shows several tutus from their highly publicized (and controversial) gig designer for the movie Black Swan.  There are also garments from three seasons of their runway collections.

Longtime collaborator, Alexandre de Betak helped to create dramatic set pieces to display the collection.  A very noir exhibit meant to display black garments as sculpture pieces, there are mannequins suspended from the ceiling and spun slowly on whirling motors.

The theatrical “immersive” exhibit is what you would hope for from a duo who cites “Living Dead Dolls” and Japanese horror films as inspiration. 

The exhibit runs until June 5, 2011 at MOCA Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles.

Photos by Autumn de Wilde. Courtesy of MOCA.

Rodarte's Black Swan Costume Fantasy

Black Swan, the dark, ballet thriller by Darren Aronofsky opened Friday.  In fashion, all of the buzz has been going to the Mulleavy sisters of Rodarte.  They designed the edgy, Goth-chic costumes for the stylish movie.  The theme of "duality" played out on stage and off.  

For Prince Siegfried's character, the designers were inspired by mechanical birds.  The costume is vividly detailed with floral embroidered cheesecloth and distressed velvet.  Odette's costume is a constructed pancake shaped tutu.  It was embellished with white angora wool to emulate branches growing up the skirt.  

This may be the first film for Kate and Laura Mulleavy, but the designers have previous found horror and ballet to be muses for their collection.  

Photos Fox Searchlight, Sketches by Kate Mulleavy

Rodarte Collaborates on M.A.C. Cosmetics and Ballet

Fans of Gothic, artistic fashion line Rodarte can now get the look without the high price tag. The dark designers have collaborated with popular cosmetics line M.A.C. for a collection to debut this Fall.

The promotional images have an undead quality about them. Names for the items include "Ghosttown". However, major controversy ensued when bloggers read other names like "Juarez" and "Factory" were part of the line. The references to Mexico were inspired by a road trip by the Mulleavy sisters. Unfortunately, many took it as a reference to Cuidad, Juarez, a site more known for unchecked femicide.

Both the designers and the cosmetics firm have issued statements of apology. They have also pledged to donate portions of the proceeds to those in need in Juarez.

The multi-tasking designers also designed 40 costumes for the Darren Aronofsky ("The Wrestler") film The Black Swan. The sexy movie stars Natalie Portman as a dancer in the title role.

Photos from Hintmag and USAtoday


UPDATE! 8/17/10: MAC Cosmetics has decided to cancel this collection altogether due to the controversy!  Wow, never underestimate the power of blogging.  NY Magazine's Cut Blog has a humorous response warning of other potentially offensive nail polish names...

Rodarte's Ancient Skull-Inspired Museum Project

Wickedly dark fashion designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy joined other creatives in a project for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The ladies of Rodarte took their inspiration from the museum's turquoise encrusted Mexican skull in their series of fashion sketches for the Cell Phone Stories project.

Participants like actor Rainn Wilson and artist Kianga Ford, people have contributed their voices, texts and images for art-seekers to take on a journey through the museum highlighting and reinterpreting the experience in unexpected ways.

Want to get in on the action? Text "LACMA" to 67553 to receive weekly text messages that will direct you to the various pieces of the project.

Rodarte Uses Living Dead Dolls as Muse

Rodarte is a designer label that has clothed many a red carpet starlet in Hollywood. While most upscale designers like to cite historical fashion icons, famous artists and architecture as being their collection inspiration, sisters Laura and Kate Mulleavy did not. The California-based design duo cull style ideas from creepy Goth toys, The Living Dead Dolls.

“We’re, like, totally obsessed with them,” Kate Mulleavy said. “There’s, like, a Bloody Mary one and Edgar Allen Poe doll and an Annabel Lee.”

Can you see it? Check out the photos from their Spring 2010 presentation and decide for yourself...

Gothic: Dark Glamor Exihibit at the Museum at F.I.T.

Gothic fashion, obviously there is a huge fan base out there, though until a few years ago, the mainstream still considered it fringe or club-kid attire. The Museum at F.I.T. has organized a stunning exhibit documenting all sorts of dark style. You can view everything from historical mourning outfits to recent couture collections of top fashion designers. Pictured above is a Victorian mourning dress, a period of major inspiration for Gothic style. On the right, an outfit by Rodarte for Fall 2008 inspired by Japanese horror films, with the look of blood in the water. The show is set up like a labyrinthe, with themes like Night, Ruined Castle and the Dark Ages. There are public programs associated with the exhibit which include a Tim Burton film series as well as readings of Bram Stoker and Edgar Allen Poe.