CaliforniaApparelNews.net

  
All photos © 2011 Museum Associates/LACMA

A collection of ten extraordinary gowns by Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte will be coming to LACMA this month. The pastel-colored, silk dresses were inspired by frescoes painted by the early Italian Renaissance artist, Fra Angelico, and were made for the Pitti Immagine Uomo fashion fair in Florence last June.

The fantastical dresses belong to Rodarte’s Spring|Summer 2012 couture collection and will be shown in LACMA’s Italian Renaissance gallery, alongside Renaissance artworks.

"We are so honored that our Fra Angelico Collection from Pitti Immagine in Florence has come to LACMA, and to see it installed amongst the museum's masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance is an incomparable experience for us,” the Mulleavys said in a statement.

The chiffon, crepe, gauze, lamé, organza, satin and taffeta dresses highlight Rodarte’s signature dressmaking techniques and sculptural details, and are adorned with feathers, sequins, and hand-molded Easter lilies. The palette ranges from pale orange to pistachio, with hand-forged gold headpieces, breastplates and belts used to accessorize several of the pieces.

All of the gowns are being donated to LACMA’s Costume and Textiles Department by the Mulleavy sisters.

”The ten gowns are the first works by Rodarte to enter the museum’s permanent holdings, and we are pleased to present this outstanding collection,” said Sharon S. Takeda, Senior Curator and Head of the Costume and Textiles Department in a release.

The exhibition runs from December 17th until February 5th. For more information, visit LACMA.org.

Like what you just read? Click here to Subscribe and Save!