Name: Kate and Laura Mulleavy
Claim to Fame: Rodarte
What does the Fashion Industry have to do with UC Berkeley? Well, the answer is: Rodarte.
Kate and Laura Mulleavy, are two talented sisters behind the big fashion label Rodarte. The Mulleavy sisters have always loved fashion, but before they were big shots in the fashion industry they were students at the University of California-Berkeley. Neither ever studied fashion formally; but did receive liberal arts degrees in 2001. Kate studied art history with an emphasis on the 19th and 20th centuries while Laura focused her studies on English literature.
After graduating, both sisters moved back to Los Angeles where they launched their brand Rodarte. According to their website, “The name “Rodarte” is of Spanish origin, taken from Kate and Laura’s mother’s maiden name”. After their initial collection of just 10 pieces, the Mulleavys appeared on the cover of Women’s Wear Daily and had a meeting with US Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.
Melding elaborate details with imaginative shapes and textures, Rodarte’s masterful designs have caught the eye of international style icons, museums, even Hollywood — dancers donned their costumes in Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan. The fashion design duo has also received a number of industry awards since the line’s inception in 2005. Fashionable fans include the poised Natalie Portman, Keira Knightley, Kirsten Dunst, and even the first lady Michelle Obama.
Rodarte can be found in over 40 retailers worldwide including Barneys, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom, Jeffrey, Opening Ceremony, Net a Porter and Joyce. They have also collaborated with Gap and Target on limited edition pieces.
Click here to visit Rodarte’s website: http://www.rodarte.net/
Picture and Info Source: http://berkeleywalloffame.org/…