Kate and Laura Mulleavy celebrate their "Quicktake: Rodarte" exhibition opening at the Cooper-Hewitt Museum in N.Y.C. Photo: Mimi Ritzen Crawford/Getty Images

Only the coolest of designers could corral weary show-goers to 91st street on the very last night of New York Fashion Week. But while Calvin Klein hosted its own party downtown, a hearty assemblage of hipsters trekked up to the nose bleed section of Manhattan to celebrate Rodarte's "Quicktake" exhibit opening at the Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum.

Friends and famous fans Kim Gordon and Natalie Portman hosted the evening for the Mulleavy sisters and their merry band of admirers. Among them were Gordon's husband, Thurston Moore, as well as actress Kirsten Dunst, Vogue's Anna Wintour, director Spike Jonze, V's Cecilia Dean, loyal customer Dr. Lisa Airan, and jewelry designer Monique Péan (looking stunning in a netted Rodarte top).

Natalie Portman and Justin Theroux. Photo: Mimi Ritzen Crawford/Getty Images


New wave music piped through the exhibit of the Mulleavys' couture-like clothing. It was a subversive contrast to the museum's grand wood-carved wainscoting and uptown fixtures, who managed to mingle with flannel-clad scenesters. Naturally the latter crowd ventured south following the cocktail party to The Smile where the sisters' hosted a dinner for their nearest and dearest.

So, what was it like for such young designers to have their first solo exhibit at a major museum? "It's overwhelming. And exciting," said Laura Mulleavy. "They asked for a theme that is occurring in our work, so we chose decay and ruin."

Just another interesting juxtaposition for designers' who are in the midst of a sky-rocketing career.

Check out our review of the most recent Rodarte collection.