Rodarte conjures high drama at New York fashion week

Many of the Mulleavy sisters' designs were complemented by body art and tattoos. Some of the pieces were adorned with crystals, feathers and leather made to look like birdskin Photograph: Bebeto Matthews/AP

The feel of the show was primal, verging on visceral. Luckily, someone was enthusiastically pumping away at the smoke machine Photograph: Bebeto Matthews/AP

Bands of models, wrapped in soft layers of fabric, marched down the catwalk to the strains of haunting music. The neon yellow lights echoed the occasional flash of colour in the clothes Photograph: Bebeto Matthews/AP

The show featured many of the trends spotted in New York so far, including black, draping, banding and lattice-like leather Photograph: Bebeto Matthews/AP

Rodarte's signature banding was obvious in the short cocktail dresses, but it had been given a harder edge with leather - and killer heels by Nicholas Kirkwood Photograph: Rob Loud/Getty Images

Rodarte has become a firm favourite among the Hollywood elite. Kirsten Dunst turned up at the show wearing a bronze Rodarte dress. 'Their clothes are always inspiring,' she said Photograph: Rob Loud/Getty Images

Actor Jason Schwartzman was also spotted in the front row Photograph: Rob Loud/Getty Images

The clothes are supposed to resemble 'the contradictory symbol of darkness and survival', apparently. We're not sure this hairnet will catch on, symbolic or not Photograph: Bebeto Matthews/AP

The mysterious figure in the foreground only adds to the dramatic effect ... Photograph: Bebeto Matthews/AP

The three 'birdwomen' (or Macbeth's witches if you ask us) appeared for the show's dramatic finale Photograph: Bebeto Matthews/AP