High-fashion thrusts tattoo art onto the runway and into the spotlight
First it was Ari Marcopoulos’s short film “No Way Back” for Yves Saint Laurent men’s spring/summer ‘11 collection, featuring famed tattoo artist Mark Mahoney in action. Then – or perhaps simultaneously – it was tattooist-to-the-fashion-elite Scott Campbell’s SS’11 collaboration with Louis Vuitton, and the accompanying “video diptych” part one and part two.
Rodarte is a relative newcover to the fashion world, but one that has made a huge impression. After their debut in 2005, Kate & Laura Mulleavy, the two sisters behind the line, landed a Women’s Wear Daily cover as well as a meeting with Vogue editrix Anna Wintour. They won the CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year award in June, & the CFDA Swarovski Award for Womenswear last year. Rodarte is known for its ethereality, sublimely sophisticated palettes & uber-embellishments — which is why so many people were surprised to hear that they had inked a deal to design a capsule collection for Target’s Go International.
But is it really that shocking? After all, the sisters have previously collaborated with Gap — along with Doo-Ri & Thakoon, also up-&-coming American designers — on a limited edition collection called Gap Design Editions. The Gap pieces, which included a sleeveless trapeze top, a trapeze mini-dress with front pockets & bows, & a sleeveless blouse embellished with bows around the neck, sold out almost immediately. With prices ranging from $68 to $88, it’s a little wonder: most Rodarte gowns sell for at least $10,000 which effectively prices out the vast majority of consumers!
At least they’re in excellent company: Luella Bartley, Proenza Schouler, Alexander McQeen & Erin Fetherston are among the other high-profile designers who have collaborated with Target to bring more wearable versions of their luxurious clothing to the general public.
