Rodarte - SS13

There's always one collection that stands out against all the others at Fashion Week as my favourite and  this season, it's Rodarte.  

I saw a photo of the dragon ear cuff on tumblr and instantly thought, "ho-ly shit, that is beautiful" and I immediately went to look-up the collection online. I wasn't disappointed at all. Everything about these pieces is stunning; they're like a mix between an Oriental princess and a medieval warrior with some futuristic twists thrown in for good luck. The detail on the garments is absolutely beautiful and the cut-out pieces, leather lace-up trousers combined with some super badass necklaces and belts add to that chain-mail, medieval armour vibe. And is it just me, or does the black dress with the red detailing on the bodice scream House Targaryen from Game of Thrones?  I mean, dragon ear cuffs... Anyone? 

Anyway, I think there's a nice contrast between hard and soft here. There's the flowing, feminine skirts and dresses of chiffon and silk with pastel shades of blue and pink against the tough leather, plus angular shapes and cinched in waists that create a defined silhouette. The colour palette is a mix of deep, forest green, navy and purple tones with a pop of scarlet and bright orange on the fringed leather vest, all feeling very decadent. Not to mention the rich embellishment and heavy accessories. Finally there's the shoes: a good chunky block heel with various shades turquoise, pastel orange and grey defined with black edging and buckles that almost suggest velcro straps. And there's definitely a sports-feel to the shoes, due to the colours and materials used which - in theory - shouldn't work with the garments, but it stops the collection feeling too costume-y. They add to the subtle futuristic vibe of the pieces, complimenting the geometric shapes of the tops, skirts and shoulder pads, while metallic and wet-look fabrics help create an extra dimension to the garments. 

by evachen212 on Instagram

all photos - style.com