Recently horror films have been a well of inspiration for designers, particularly the Japanese films. For fall/winter 08, Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodartewere inspired by such films; the Mulleavy sisters wanted their girls looking like “drowned rag dolls”. I was particularly inspired by the gowns which were steam dyed. The result: volcanic inkblots so enchanting yet so completely bewitching. Rodarte, mission accomplished.

PS, I recently attempted steam dying a sample piece of fabric and the results were less than enchanting.. Pout. Rodarte is a truly innovative team. Here’s my supporting evidence: a teenage boy with his mother’s vegetable steamer, a clothing iron, and three packages of fabric dye could match up with them…

PPS, scrubbing the dye off of a vegetable steamer for thirty minutes is nightmare.

PPPS photo by Marcio Madeira