Hearts, Bows, Glitter Lips: Inside Rodarte's First LA Runway Show at the Huntington Library
Pasadena-bred designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy staged their fall '19 show at the iconic LA institution.
View Gallery
46 Photos
14412
14435
14436
14437
14438
14439
14440
14441
14442
14443
14444
14445
14446
14447
14448
14449
14450
14451
14452
14453
14454
14455
14456
14458
14459
14460
14461
14462
14463
14464
14465
14466
14467
14468
14469
14470
14471
14472
14473
14474
14475
14476
14477
14478
14479
14480
Romance was in the air and not a raindrop fell during Rodarte's first-ever West Coast runway show today at the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, where the Los Angeles-born luxury label staged its fall 2019 collection. Rather than reveal their line at New York Fashion Week (which kicks off this Friday), Pasadena-bred sisters and designers Kate and Mulleavy opted to show in their hometown as an ode to their California roots.
Rodarte's signature ethereal touches were in full force this afternoon, and clearly the sisters Mulleavy were in a Valentine's Day state of mind when creating the dreamy autumn range. The show kicked off with a very wedding-worthy white lace gown with oversized roses at the shoulders (the look was finished with a dainty butterfly headpiece), followed by ruffled organza and silk dresses covered in bows, looks featuring butterfly prints and glittering red hearts, and ruched red sequin dresses in 1980s-influenced silhouettes, to name a few.
Keeping in line with fashion's latest logomania was a white dress emblazoned with the brand's name and belted with a big black bow, as well as silver Rodarte logo belts that completed a handful of other looks, including a micropleated blouse and pants set and a ruffly top paired with leather trousers. Closing out the show were a dramatic trio of red carpet-ready gowns in '80s hues: There was a hot pink frock with larger-than-life rose sleeves, an electric blue number with a skirt covered with intricate bows, and a high-voltage chartreuse dress with carnation-inspired embellishments, while models were sent down the silver runway wearing flouncy floral hats.
Get another peek inside Rodarte's starry LA runway show and scroll through the gallery above to see every single look, then see more details alongside snaps from us (did you catch our IG Stories from the fashionable happening?) and our fellow showgoers below.
The Al Fresco Setting
Rodarte took over the domed atrium Garden Court, located on the Huntington's far east side to ensure the historic institution's regular visitors weren't disturbed by the fashion folks.
The Collection
The Starry Spectators
In addition to fashion media and the Mulleavys' family and close pals, famous guests included small and big screen stars (many of them award winners or nominees) like Rowan Blanchard, Dakota Fanning, Stephan James, Diane Keaton, Brie Larsen, John C. Reilly, Tracee Ellis Ross, Marisa Tomei, and Shailene Woodley. In the music world, Jenny Lewis, Kim Gordon, Maggie Rogers, Miguel, and the Haim sisters (Alana, Danielle, and Este) were among the FROW.
The Beauty Looks
Nars makeup artist James Kaliardos channeled the upcoming lovey-dovey holiday by swiping models' lids and lips with bright red and fuschia glitter, while another look created for show gave a more ethereal feel with soft peach eyeshadow and natural puckers. Celebrity nail artist Steph Stone headed up the nail team and used Morgan Taylor polishes to created metallic manicures dotted with mini pearls — as seen below on Coucou Jolie blogger Loreen Hwang, who got her digits done backstage — to complement the looks.
Longtime Rodarte collaborator and iconic French hairstylist Odile Gilbert created long, loose ringlets for the show, while fashion-faved florist Joseph Free dreamed up the floral-topped headpieces and accessories.
The Reception
Following the show was a garden party reception, complete with a bar stocked with wine sponsor JNSQ's rosé cru (which made its debut at the event) and passed small bites that included wild mushroom tarts, mini lox toast, heirloom tomato jam tarts, beef sliders, and chocolate chip cookies, to name just a few decadent finger foods.
Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino, 91108
