Weekend Field Trip: Rodarte Rocks At The Cooper-Hewitt

The Carnegies must have been rolling in their graves as the fashion flock invaded their former Upper Upper East Side manse for a bash hosted by Vogue and Nordstrom celebrating Kate and Laura Mulleavy's "Quick-Take Rodarte" exhibition at the New York branch of the Smithsonian Institution. We clearly heart the stylish sisters—the cab ride up to 91st Street set us back about $20 bucks and 20 minutes. Obviously, everyone else does, too, because as we pulled out we saw about 50 of our fashion crushes smoking cigs on the terrace. Natalie Portman, Melissa George, and Kirsten Dunst all flaunted their Rodarte frocks, while Anna Wintour, Liya Kebede, and Heidi Mount also paid homage to the duo. The sisters weren't sporting ego though: Kate told us, "I am so so honored. It's just amazing," and Laura added, "I never dreamed this could be possible. It's just overwhelming. I mean...God, this is the Smithsonian. They house the Ruby Slippers!"

Like those Slippers, this exhibition is majorly swoon-worthy and offers a gimlet eye into the Mulleavys' inspirations and process at a time when the sisters are ruling 7th Avenue (last year they won the 2009 Womenswear Designer of the Year from the CFDA). It's worth the trek to see special pieces like an attention grabbing technicolor dress and jaw-dropping heels as well as a killer installation in the Billiard Room of the Mansion. Get your 'darte on soon, the exhibit runs only until March 14.