& Other Stories X Rodarte collaboration: everything you need to know

Inky-black, star-spangled cardigans that reflect the night’s sky; patchwork leather skirts cracked in the Californian sun and fur-trimmed denim jackets lined in mohair that adjust to the dramatic changes in temperature found on the West Coast: this is fashion storytelling at its best.

Narrative has been the watchword of this infinitely cool collaboration between minimalist label & Other Stories and runway favourite Rodarte since its conception in 2014.

Inspired by & Other Stories' city-based design stories - previous references for collections have included Berlin, London, New York, and Paris - the Rodarte co-desginers Laura and Kate Mulleavy opted to pay homage to their hometown of Los Angeles.

‘& Other Stories designs use storytelling in a similar way that Kate and I do,’ Laura Mulleavy explained to Vogue. ‘It just seemed like such a quick match that there was not really much thought that had to go into wanting to do it. Everyone cares about design at this company, they care about quality, they care about the idea of achieving high fashion within a certain price point, and I found all those things to be really attractive.’

It’s been a busy year already for the Mulleavy sisters, who have produced two ready-to-wear collections for Rodarte and a feature film starring Kirsten Dunst. Their Fall 2016 collection was one of the best received at New York Fashion Week.

Launching on Thursday, 17th March, the apparel and accessories capsule captures Kate and Laura’s signature aesthetic in prices under £400, with its crushed velvet trousers and dresses, Lurex sweaters and silk tops and free-hanging red velvet shorts.

Coupled with the Liberty X Uniqlo collaboration, that hits shops just one day after this, 2016 looks to be filled with as many must-have collections as 2015, even including the frenzied reaction to the Balmain X H&M. We can’t wait to dress for the clear Californian skies even if our own stay grey and miserable all summer long.