Rodarte Fall 2015 Lace Crystal Embellished Feather Trim Mini Dress

Creating beautiful clothes that channel a certain fantastic dreaminess has long been Rodarte’s calling card. Rodarte’s designs are held in permanent collections at world-class museums including The Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Founded by sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy in 2005, Rodarte has been worn by many celebrities and icons including the likes of Tilda Swinton, Rihanna, and Rooney Mara.

The sisters notably designed several costumes for the Oscar-winning film Black Swan, and have won many prestigious awards including the Swiss Textiles Award, a CFDA, and a Domani Fashion Award. True to their typical whimsical fashion, the Mulleavy sisters cited migrating birds as the inspiration for their avian and disco-themed 2015 Fall/Winter collection, which featured an array of “hedonistic glam” dresses. As seen as look number 24 on that season’s runway and in the featured images taken by British fashion photographer Tim Walker, this dainty, fairytale-esque dress is a feat of craftsmanship and imagination.

Done in lace, net, and marabou feather trim, the dress features several risqué elements and is embellished with hand appliqued beads and sequins. The sheer lace sleeves, hem of the skirt, and half of the neckline and bodice are trimmed in crème marabou feathers, offering a nice contrast of texture while lending the dress a dramatic sophistication. Alternating sides of the plunging V neckline and the asymmetric skirt are adorned with rows of small silver and clear beads, giving this fitted dress a regal feel.

The bodice is done half in white lace and half in sheer lavender lace, further enhancing the illusion of a wrap dress that is created by the diagonal lines of the lace and the overlapping trim. The lavender lace is adorned with flowers and vines made from iridescent beads and sequins in shades of blue, bright yellow, turquoise, and light green, adding a delicate lightness to the dress that balances the dramatic fullness of the feathers.

Size: XS

Measurements:

Bust: 32 inches

Waist: 24 -26 inches

Hips: up to 36 inches

Length: 30 at the shortest length to 40 inches at the longest point

The skirt falls from an asymmetric drop waist to a mini length in a spectacular asymmetric hem that grazes the upper thigh at the highest point and reaches just above the knee at the lowest. The skirt is gathered and draped to perfection, creating a fabulous zig-zag flounce that has extra volume due to the marabou trim. A romantic confection that conjures winter landscapes, classical figure skating, and en pointe ballerinas, this magical dress is the perfect choice for a gala, wedding, or special occasion and can easily be styled with strappy heels and statement accessories.

This gorgeous Rodarte dress is partially lined at the skirt and closes with an angled zipper at the back. In excellent condition, it has been professionally eco dry cleaned and pressed. High-quality vintage pieces like this are yours to live in and love while increasing in value every year. It’s never too soon to start collecting them, as an investment in your wardrobe—and in yourself.