Daily Front Row

2012 October 11

Starbucks' Latest Brew: Rodarte-Flavored

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Kate and Laura Mulleavy
Patrick McMullan View Gallery

(NEW YORK) This week has had more than its fair share of atypical designer collaborations: first, Gap and NYC's MTA aligned on the matter of MetroCards, and now, Rodarte is teaming up with Starbucks. The coffee giant brewed up a plan for Kate and Laura Mulleavy to design a limited-edition gift card, tote bag, coffee cup sleeve, and mug collection, all debuting November 13. 

Samie Barr, vice president of category brand management at Starbucks, told the Associated Press that the partnership is “putting us on the map as a true inspirational gifting destination. We look for unique and differentiated, not necessarily looking for ‘mainstream'. People buy with their eyes.” Coffee drinkers themselves, the Mulleavy's made a likely designer duo choice.  Laura Mulleavy told the AP, “Our clothing is specialized and when we are thinking of Rodarte, we choose things that say who we are as designers, but we’re not limited to that. We like the idea of collaborations and putting our thought process somewhere else.”

Rodarte has previously paired up with Opening Ceremony, Target, and Black Swan, while Starbucks has worked with designers including Alexander Wang, Sophie Theallet, and Billy Reid to design limited edition t-shirts for the java brand's 40th anniversary.