Fashion and music have always shared a close bond. This connection became even stronger this week with a unique collaboration. Kim Gordon, the legendary musician, has released a new song titled “Not Today.” This track is the first single from her upcoming album, Play Me. This new record follows her highly praised 2024 album, The Collective.
The song itself is described as a pulsating track that features Gordon’s signature style—a mix of melancholy and groove. However, the music video is grabbing just as much attention as the audio. The video features Gordon dancing through an empty house. She is wearing a striking blue lace dress. Fashion fans quickly realized this wasn’t just any dress. It is an original piece from Rodarte’s Spring 2008 collection.
It turns out that the choice of dress was not a random decision. The video was directed by Kate and Laura Mulleavy, the sisters behind the Rodarte fashion label. This project marks a creative reunion for the trio.
A Piece of Fashion History
The blue lace dress worn in the video holds a special history. According to Laura Mulleavy, this specific dress was the very first piece they ever created for Gordon.
Laura shared details about the dress during a video call from their Los Angeles studio. She explained that they asked Gordon to send the dress to them. Originally, they thought they might alter it or create a variation of it for the video. However, when the package arrived, they were shocked by its condition.
Laura noted that they couldn’t believe how well-preserved the garment was. It looked brand new, despite being nearly 20 years old. It was in perfect condition, ready to be worn exactly as it was almost two decades ago.
A Friendship Built on “Buffy”
The relationship between the Mulleavy sisters and Kim Gordon is not strictly professional. They share a long personal history. Kate Mulleavy mentioned that they have known Kim for a very long time.
Laura added a fun detail about the early days of their friendship. Around the time they originally made the blue dress, the group shared a common obsession: the TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Laura recalled that the three of them, along with Gordon’s daughter Coco, used to get together to binge-watch episodes of the show. This shared downtime helped cement a bond that has lasted for years.
Creating a Supernatural Vibe
There are no vampires in the “Not Today” video. However, the visual style does have a supernatural feeling. This is a common theme in the Mulleavy sisters’ work. They often draw inspiration from science fiction for their fashion collections. Their 2017 film, Woodshock, also dealt with psychedelic themes and questioned reality.
For this music video, the directors wanted to capture a specific mood. They described it as a “layered, stream-of-consciousness” feeling. They felt this approach perfectly mirrored how Gordon approaches her music.
Laura explained that the song itself dictated the video’s direction. They knew Gordon wanted to wear the vintage dress, so they built the rest of the visual concept around the audio. Laura pointed out that Gordon has a very distinct sound. Whether you have been a fan for 30 years or just discovered her recent work, there is a recognizable texture to her music.
The directors wanted to translate that sound into images. They focused on dreamlike visuals and whispered effects. They wanted to match the electric quality of Gordon’s vocals, which sometimes feel like white noise. That sensory experience became the guiding force for the video shoot.
Filming at a Hollywood Legend’s Home
The location of the shoot added another layer of depth to the project. The video was filmed at the Hollywood Hills home of Gena Rowlands and John Cassavetes. These two were iconic figures in the film industry. This house is where they raised their three children and worked on some of their most famous independent films.
Laura noted that the house has a unique energy. It boasts a bathroom with a hand-painted mural, which includes a portrait of Rowlands. Laura explained that when you are in a space with such a strong spirit of artistry, the location becomes a character in the story.
The goal was to show Gordon moving through this space. They wanted to capture the feeling of being alone in a house that is filled with memories. To achieve this “psychically charged” atmosphere, the sisters used specific camera techniques.
Kate explained that they shot a lot of the footage using a hand-crank camera. They also used double exposure techniques shot directly on film. This created an organic, tactile effect. It made the video feel layered and slightly ghostly, fitting the mood of the song perfectly.
Aliens and Sunglasses
The video also features some unique props. Gordon is seen wearing a pair of Balenciaga sunglasses. These were from Pier Paolo Piccioli’s debut collection for the brand. Laura remembered seeing these sunglasses and thinking they looked like something an extraterrestrial would wear. When they started brainstorming for the video, they knew they had to include them.
These sunglasses tie in with another visual element: a light-up, inflatable alien figure. Toward the end of the video, the alien appears next to Gordon. The scene then cuts to her smashing a guitar against an amplifier. This mix of high fashion, sci-fi imagery, and rock-and-roll aggression serves as a perfect visual representation of Kim Gordon’s music.
A Return to Directing
“Not Today” represents a return to the director’s chair for the Mulleavy sisters. It is their first time directing since their feature film debut. Kate mentioned that the timing was perfect. Although they have been busy writing scripts, they were ready to get behind a camera again. This collaboration gave them the perfect excuse to dive back into filmmaking.
Conclusion
The music video for “Not Today” is more than just a promotional tool for an album. It is a layering of history, friendship, and art. It connects Kim Gordon’s musical past and present with her long-standing relationship with the Rodarte founders. By using a vintage dress, a legendary filming location, and experimental camera techniques, Kate and Laura Mulleavy have created a visual piece that perfectly matches the unique energy of Kim Gordon.
