Rodarte Spring 2020 Brings Whimsical Romanticism to NYFW

By: HG Davis-Russell

The world of couture is buzzing with this year’s New York Fashion Week having come to a close. Our eyes are on the 35 breathtaking pieces of Rodarte’s Spring 2020 Prêt-â-Porter Collection.

The 2019 Fall Fashion Week runways saw 50+ spring/summer collections by countless prestigious designers and couturiers. One standout show, or lookbook rather, seems to be of Rodarte’s Spring 2020 ready-to-wear garments.

To our surprise (and delight so it happens), sister duo Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte chose to eschew their designs’ place on the catwalk in lieu of a stunning lookbook presented the night before New York Fashion Week. The photo series, shot over the course of six days by photographer Daria Kobayashi Ritch, is not the first time Rodarte has sported the concept of an entirely visual campaign (See the Fall 2018 collection).

Featured, however, is a new, diverse cast made up celebrity favorites Helena Howard, Kilo Kish, King Princess, Yalitza Aparicio, Margaret Qualley, Kirsten Dunst, January Jones, Gabrielle Union, Maya Erskine, Alexa Demie, Lili Reinhart, Rowan Blanchard, Kiernan Shipka, Phoebe Bridgers, Lauren Tsai, Gia Coppola, Maggie Rogers, and sisters Alana, Danielle and Este Haime.

Rodarte’s star-studded cast is seen posing amongst abundant topiaries, floral arrangements courtesy of LA florist Joseph Free, Greek columns, and marble sculptures in a dreamy scenescape straight out of what can only be described as an old Hollywood movie-French fairytale hybrid (In other words, the garden party of our dreams).  

In an interview with Vogue, Kate Mulleavy shared her concept of the Spring 2020 set.

“[It is] almost a painting in which nature was invading a space that was slightly manufactured.” “How do I imagine my fantasy garden?” Kate asks. “With a black-and-white floor….” 

Meanwhile her sister Laura Mulleavy had her thoughts on creating the world encompassing their collection. 

“We wanted to create painted portraits. In the end, the images have that quality, not knowing whether or not someone has been painted or photographed.”

When taking the execution of Rodarte’s designs into consideration, appreciation for the craftsmanship of their fantastical set only scratches the surface of praises for the collection. Polka dots, sumptuous ruffles, pearls, paisley, glistening sequins, oversized bows, and satin reign this collection and are only out-dazzled by the couturiers’ ability to execute exemplary fit with expressive tailoring and an ethereal lightness to each garment.

The dazzling dresses, bodysuits, skirts, and more effortlessly encapsulate the whimsical, luxurious romanticism the Mulleavy’s brand is known for; all the while presenting a bold, new-age aesthetic for the sliver of modernist in us all.