Katy Rodriguez: Resurrecting Classic Style

You might recognize the name Katy Rodriguez. After all, she is a founding partner in the cult-favorite shopping haunt Resurrection Vintage (the New York shop opened in 1996, the Los Angeles location on Melrose Avenue in 2000). Late last year, Rodriguez designed a dress called the “Criss Cross” that became an immediate hit among Resurrection regulars. Now she has launched a full collection.

Not surprisingly, there has been quite a buzz about her eponymous line ever since she showed it last month during New York Fashion Week. Rodriguez was also selected to present the line at Gen Art’s Fresh Faces in Fashion show, which kicked off Los Angeles Fashion Week.

All of her dresses are chic, with comfort and wearability as top priorities. According to the designer, the stylish silhouettes lure shoppers to the racks, and the flattering cuts close the sale. “Many shoppers have been buying the same styles in different fabrics,” Rodriguez said.

The designer includes high-end details such as French seams, and lines all the dresses. The original “Criss Cross” dress is still among the most popular offerings, and the new “Twist” dresses, which come in several styles, are also getting plenty of attention. Rodriguez’s ruffled tunic and ballet dress are also new. Though her stylish frocks certainly qualify as party dresses, there are a few styles that can be dressed down by wearing a T-shirt underneath.

The designer said she is influenced by the boutiques as well as by her memories of San Francisco in the ’70s and ’80s. Having been in the fashion game for nearly 10 years, Rodriguez boasts an impressive knowledge of fashion. She has been exposed to some of the biggest names in the business, and she cites Vivienne Westwood as a major influence and Norma Kamali as a mentor. In particular, she said she is influenced by how Westwood and Kamali built their businesses.

Both Resurrection and the Katy Rodriguez label are in-house operations. The offices are located above the Melrose store, and production for the line is done off-site but locally. Because of this, Rodriguez is able to fulfill orders quickly and does not have to be on a seasonal production schedule.

The Katy Rodriguez label just began wholesaling at the end of August. In Los Angeles, the collection sells well at Diavolina on Robertson Boulevard, and Satine has also placed an order. Rodriguez said there has been a lot of interest in the line, domestically and internationally, but she is being very selective with choosing retailers.

In the not-too-distant future, she said she hopes to open boutiques for the Katy Rodriguez collection. She said she likes the idea of being able to test new designs and get reactions from shoppers. “When you have your own store and your own customer, you’re not dependent on buyers and you have a lot more power and freedom,” she said.

Wholesale prices range from just under $200 to about $450. Retail runs from about $450 to $1,000. For more information, visit www.resurrectionvintage.com or call (323) 651-5516. —Dena Smolek