Rodarte Runway Crystal Sequin Lace Ruffle Dress FW 2016

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. Their 2016 Fall/Winter collection coincided with the label’s 10th anniversary and was named one of the best Rodarte collections by Vogue.

As seen as look number 15 on that season’s runway and in the featured images on Anne Hathaway, this incredible dress is a sparkling symphony of color and texture. Done in white lace, net, and tulle, the dress is embellished throughout with hand appliqued crystals, beads, sequins, and vegan leather.

The bateau neckline, shoulders, and long sleeves feature gold bead and sequin squares set with red and clear crystal flowers. The upper half of the net sleeves are unadorned, save for the trim, creating the illusion of straps and cold-shoulder sleeves. The rest of the sleeves and upper half of the bodice are embroidered and adorned with white and gold flowers made from beads and sequins.

Size: 4 (runs small)

Measurements:

Bust: 31-32 inches

Waist:24-25 inches

Hips: 32-34 inches

Length: 43 inches

The fitted waist begins beneath the bust and features a glittering pattern of gold squares and circles atop embroidered white circles that are framed by a row of crystal flowers and gold sequins on either side. The fitted lace skirt begins at the hips and features spiraling flowers made from vegan leather and iridescent sequins in shades of beige, orange, lavender, sage, hunter green, bright green, and white, at both the front and back of the dress. Not only are the flowers asymmetrical, but the circles that comprise them overlap like fish scales, giving the dress an unexpected oriental note that is surprising and fascinating at once. Beneath another row of adorned gold square trim, the knee-length skirt flares out in four tiers of delicate lace flounces, creating a trumpet silhouette.

This phenomenal dress is a hard-to-find runway example of the Rodarte sisters’ work. In excellent condition, it appears to never have been worn and is the perfect choice for a gala, wedding, or special occasion. The dress is lined in mesh and closes with a concealed back zip. 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.