show and talk

The Rodarte Designers Don’t Mind Bad Reviews

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A model displaying Rodarte’s fall designs,
from February’s Fashion Week.Photo: IMAXTREE.com

The Rodarte designers, sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy, had their turn for a Bergdorf Goodman trunk show this afternoon, and they brought along both their acclaimed spring collection and the less-well-reviewed fall line. There’s “controlled volume, draping, curiosity, playfulness” to these new designs, Kate said, but some critics haven’t been too impressed. Robin Givhan of the Washington Post, for example, argued that the work “needs maturity and better technique.” How did the designers handle that reaction? “We have a vision, and it’s going to take a lot of time to develop it,” Kate told us. “You’re not always going to get everything perfect.” She said that she was pleased to have critics talking, even if they didn’t love what they were saying. The worst thing is when it’s more of a lukewarm reply, she said. “If you do a collection, it should be that a lot of strong opinions come out.” At least the Rodarte collaboration with the Gap has been critically praised. But don’t hold your breath for a full low-priced collection. “We’re still experimenting with our own label and growing it,” Kate said. “All of our efforts are going towards that.” —Kendall Herbst

The Rodarte Designers Don’t Mind Bad Reviews