>> keep it in the family #2

Then it actually gets serious. It’s not just a celebrity game to make more money out of a name that’s become a brand in its own right. It’s real designers, with real talent. Lots of it, come to that.

That’s how two pairs of sisters are sweeping the fashion world off their feet on both sides of the Atlantic. Rodarte first showed in New York for S/S 2006, and Felder Felder only made their appearance as a London Fashion Week Off Schedule name last September – but they both were the hot names on everybody’s lips during the catwalk carousels of the past few weeks.

Sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy moved to New York from Pasadena, CA in 2005 to show their collection, Rodarte, named after their mother’s maiden name. In only two years, they have built up an amazing following among fellow designers and fashion editors alike.

What is most striking about their clothes is the high level of craftsmanship, the extreme attention to detail, and the soft and feminine final result of it all. The love for chiffon and for light, ethereal colours takes shape in cloud-like frilly numbers that appeal both to the romantic and the more avant-garde women.

Their A/W 2008 collection also featured some startling intricated knitwear pieces

I have always been a fan of monochrome, so these must be my favourite:

This side of the pond, it was Felder Felder everyone was anticipating at the start of London Fashion Week.

The German twins Daniela and Annette graduated from Central St. Martins and, with only two collections under their belts, are already one of the most sought-after names out of the ever young and fresh Brit Pack.

Their last collection was all about dark, rock and edgy. The theme was definitely “grunge”, with lots of black leather, and Doc-Martens-style patent boots, and gold rings and studs all over, and models with smoky eyes and a I-don’t-give-a-damn attitude about them on the runway. But the edgy look was also softened by pretty little pieces like cocktail dresses with tiered ruffles, in colours like dark purple, deep browns and charcoal grey.

The Felder Felder collection certainly has got character, and shows there’s a lot of potential to be developed in the future. Also, it has a great attribute: it is very commercial, and it looks like quite a few ideas here are going to be snapped up and re-interpreted on the high-street.

Relevant posts: >> keep it in the family #1