Rock Meets Rodeo Dr. Luxe on La Brea Ave.’s Antique Row

Published in Fashion Wire Daily, July 29, 2005

Messily stitched, screened with a crusty punk and shaky skull and cross bones, “distressed” would be a soft adjective for this 70′s Entropy tee.

“This would probably go for about $12,000, but this is part of our personal collection, so it’s not for sale,” says Robin Fauser, co-founder of vintage luxe company Rock and Rodeo. “This tee is so collectible because this is truly one-of-a-kind, and it was made and worn by Entropy’s lead singer.”

A stroll around the boutique is a lesson in less conspicuous costlies — rare turn-of-the-century Levi’s run from $4,000-$8,000, Depression era Acme boots garner $2,000 and up, Nudie suits begin at $10,000, and if that Gibson guitar, Native American wedding dress, or World War I jacket of choice isn’t here, it’ll be found.

“We’ll often hunt for particulars for our clients. Some of our corporate clients, like designers, request entire groups of pieces for inspiration for their next season, and individual clients that we’ve built relationships with have us find an outfit for a holiday party,” says Fauser’s partner, Mary Ossanna. “Our entire collection of vintage clothing is built with the same dedication. Every item we put out has been carefully chosen and hand-selected.”

Such personal attention stretches beyond high selection — Rock and Rodeo’s service is truly tailored to fit each customer. Any shirt from their stock of collectible r&r and concert T-shirts — “From what we’ve seen, we have the largest collection in the US,” says Fauser — can be altered to fit like the buyer’s favorite tee. Mr. Harley Davidson boots and other leather goods are customized with antique studs and stones; aged denims and leathers are patched with vintage textiles. And while Fauser and Ossanna certainly share a passionate respect for vintage, they stand ready to dismantle decades of design: “Sometimes we’ll completely redesign a dress so it has a fresh look,” says Ossanna.

The obvious luxury of Rock and Rodeo’s made-to-order service is mirrored in its collection’s nods to clear highs. While much of the rustic bling of Rock and Rodeo’s selection may be lost on the untrained eye, the boutique’s rock couture is sprinkled with recognizable richness, like glammy glasses and bags by Gucci, Dior, Fendi, Vuitton, along with haute couture of Chanel, Pucci, Prada, and Rudi Gernreich.

“While we’re known for a certain look, our collection is first about quality, which is why werll also carry more mainstream designers,” says Fauser. “Also, pairing distressed denim and a Louis logo purse is how people really dress, mixing it up.”

Fauser and Ossanna would know — they’re their own walking advertisements, Fauser in worn Levi’s and a 70′s Kiss Destroyer Tour tee, Ossanna in Granny Takes a Trip dress and Hermes boots. It’s this same livable look that they recreate for up and coming bands signed to Warner Brothers and Capital Records. “Because of our focus on 60′s and 70′s rock couture, we’re a perfect marriage of the fashion industry and the music world,” says Fauser. “Word got around through stylists, musicians” — think Lenny Kravitz, Madonna — “models, and designers,” — like John Galliano and Ralph Lauren himself — “and so we began styling images for bands.”

And next in their world of Rock and Rodeo?

“Look out for a line of vintage-inspired T-shirts,” says Ossanna.

Yeehaw.

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