Known for their meticulous nature and devotion to the old-world Parisian couturier design and production techniques, the creative geniuses behind fashion house, Rodarte, sisters, Kate and Laura Mulleavy have accrued immense success since the launch of their label six years ago.
With a string of prestigious awards under their belt, including the 2010 Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award, 2008 CFDA Swarovski Emerging Womenswear Designer award, 2008 Swiss Textiles Award, an impressive industry following (think, Karl Lagerfeld and Christian Louboutin), and, lest we forget their recent debut as big-screen costume designers for the Oscar-nominated film, Black Swan, this dynamic duo has come a long way since Rodarte’s launch in 2005. To further add to their impressive repertoire, the Mulleavy girls have now laid claim to having the first West Coast solo exhibition to feature at the MOCA Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood.
The exhibit, entitled, “States of Matter” is a showcase of more than 20 pieces from Rodarte’s Spring 2010, Fall 2010 and Fall 2008 runway collections and features six tutus worn by Natalie Portman in Black Swan.
Curated by MOCA Associate Curator, Rebecca Morse, “States of Matter” forces viewers to immerse themselves into the pieces and observe them as sculptural objects with narrative elements, as is true of their brand’s seasonal collections which, in the past have ranged in influential factors – from their childhood North Californian backyard to Japanese horror films and 1970’s Stephen Shore photographs. The exhibits pieces are showcased suspending from the ceiling in either stationary or motion mode on customized Mike Hill-sculpted resin mannequins. A plethora of black, ominous designs dominate, with rich wisps of tulle and incandescent layers of wool pieced together to form a true display of intricate craftsmanship.
“States of Matter” runs until June 5, 2011. For more information, visit www.moca.org
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