A clear stand-out at New York fashion week, Rodarte’s collection draws on nature and the Redwoods of Northern California as inspiration.  Also present is embossed crocodile, leather tooling and china blue patterns, all of which coalesce to give a sort of Old West/ Goldrush impression.  The Mulleavy sisters’ signature collage style is more structure and tailored than their previous collections, perhaps channeling Mr. McQueen?  The wood grain and crocodile prints  bring to mind the digitally printed dresses from McQueen’s Spring 10 collection.  But here, it is less Lady Gaga, more Star Trek.

-Claudia