Rodarte Presents 10 Piece Couture Collection in Florence

There were audible gasps on Thursday evening as guests—meandering a raw, labyrinth of a space in central Florence that once housed a kitchen shop—beheld another Rodarte dress. The ten couture gowns, designed exclusively for Pitti W, were inspired by their Italian surroundings, specifically Fra Angelico’s frescoes, the monks’ cells at the convent of San Marco, and Bernini’s The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa—and illuminated by neon tubes against crumbling plaster, the suspended creations appeared almost sublime. Among the standouts was a pleated chiffon and tulle confection with peach feathers and a hand-forged gold belt and shoulder pieces. Had the collection not been gifted to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, it would surely have made for a show-stopping red-carpet ensemble. But, as Rodarte’s Kate Mulleavy pointed out, “You can always order one.”

Photos courtesy of Rodarte