Kate & Laura Mulleavy
Kate & Laura Mulleavy

DALLAS, Dec 3, 2009 / — Rodarte was founded in Pasadena, California in 2005 by Kate and Laura Mulleavy who presented their first complete runway collection during February 2005 New York Fashion Week.

The highly acclaimed Rodarte collection, named after the Mulleavys’ mother’s maiden name, has become synonymous with inventiveness, individuality and sophistication. Rodarte is known for precision detail and a unique melding of delicate elements, such as hand dyed silk tulle, with strong statements such as dramatic color delicate placement.

Since first introducing Rodarte, the Mulleavys received international accolades. In fall 2006, just two years following their runway debut, Rodarte was named runner-up in the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund competition and in June 2008, Rodarte received the CFDA Swarovski Emerging Womenswear Designer award.

This was quickly followed in November 2008 with Kate and Laura Mulleavy becoming the first U.S. winners of the sought-after Swiss Textiles Award. Most recently, in June 2009, Rodarte claimed the prestigious CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year award and were named finalists for the 2009 National Design Award.

Over the last four years, Kate and Laura have become one of the world’s most respected design teams, with their highly praised Rodarte collection sold globally by more than 40 of the world’s premier retailers, including Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, Collette and Neiman Marcus.

With their standout, red carpet designs, the collection has also attracted an impressive list of style icons including Natalie Portman, Reese Witherspoon, Michelle Obama, Cate Blanchett, Keira Knightley and Kirsten Dunst, among others.