Ming-y.


The Mulleavy sisters typically pull from a range of inspirations for their collections but even for them, this one's loaded to the point of bursting. First, there's the topography of their northern California upbringing, reflected in the browns and golds (not to mention the very '70s prints), then they got caught up in the idea of Asian influences in northern California, so that's why you're seeing Ming vase blues and whites working their way in, as well as some gold Samurai armor-type pieces near the end. And speaking of vases, the Mulleavys stated that they wanted each girl to come out on the runway looking like one. A vase, that is.

Somehow, Rodarte manages this kitchen-sink approach to great effect and this collection's no different. In fact, we think it's one of the better Rodarte collections we've seen. We haven't always responded well to their more conceptual impulses and their tendency to kind of lose the body underneath the clothes. Still, there are some really beautiful and unique pieces here and the mish-mash of influences somehow coalesces into something both thoughtful and thought-provoking.













































[Photo Credit: getty]