New York Fashion Week

Rodarte, Spring/Summer '09 (scroll down to read the review)
Rodarte
The sisters from Pasadena behind Rodarte delivered an exceptional collection that upped the ante on their trademark chiffon and draping and delicate macramé knits. There were pieces that were highly wearable as well as red carpet worthy (check out Natalie Portman at the Venice Film Festival) including LBDs created from punched mesh fabric and panelled in leather, kilt skirts in nude leather, and black and deep ribbed leather and wool bomber jackets.

Their artisan way with fabrics and bricolage created some real numbers including a cracked bronze leather skirted shift dress and a line up of chiffon and transparent tulle gown with chains and inserts of silver sequins peeping behind swathes of blue-black and white chiffon. The punched leather leggings and exotic platform heels with chains and metallic and neutral leather straps made their romantic punk message scream loud.