Rodarte Inspired by Vincent van Gogh 2012
Vincent van Gogh is an artist who needs little introduction and was a source of inspiration for Kate and Laura Mulleavy while they designed Rodarte’s Spring 2012 collection. The Post-Impressionist painter’s work can be recognized by its emphatic brushwork and his compelling use of color. Van Gogh once said, “There is no blue without yellow and without orange.”
Self Portrait With Straw Hat, 1887 By Vincent van Gogh
He became known for these colors and because the Mulleavy sisters used them, quite like he did, their source of inspiration was apparent.
A look from Rodarte’s Spring 2012 collection (L) The Starry Night, 1889 By Vincent van Gogh (R)
A few of their pieces looked very similar to the Dutch painters work. Having said this, if you take a close look at the prints, they are made up of multiple images from outer space. Might sound strange but the pictures come together in a very cohesive way. The sisters definitely mimicked van Gogh’s work but they used their own techniques to do so.
A look from Rodarte’s Spring 2012 show (L) Vase With Twelve Sunflowers, 1888 By Vincent van Gogh (R)
Dresses that depict van Gogh’s The Starry Night are composed of NASA photographs of nebulas and sunflower centers are pictures of cosmos and planets. This unique idea of incorporating outer space came from the sisters looking at images of sunspots through a telescope.
View of a sunspot through a telescope at New Jersey Institute of Technology’s Big Bear Solar Observatory
You probably agree that the image above looks just like a sunflower. Kate and Laura thought so and also made the connection that the image looks like van Gogh’s style of painting.
Wheatfield With a Reaper, 1889 By Vincent van Gogh
The Mulleavy sisters frequently take inspiration from artists and with the help of Vincent van Gogh, their Spring 2012 collection was no exception.
A look from Rodarte’s Spring 2012 show (L) The Starry Night, 1889 By Vincent van Gogh (R)
A look from Rodarte’s Spring 2012 show (L) Almond Blossom, 1890 By Vincent van Gogh (R)
A look from Rodarte’s Spring 2012 show (L) Vase With Fifteen Sunflowers, 1889 By Vincent van Gogh (R)
