BLACK SWAN

I've been EXTREMELY excited to see Black Swan for weeks now (and I'm not even going to talk about the fact that I didn't know the Dec. 3rd release was limited.) My excitement has now doubled when I recently learned that Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte designed 40 costume pieces for the film. According to WWD, Kate and Laura took inspiration from artist Eva Hesse's "Accession II" sculpture:

Laura says, "That in and of itself describes the ballet world to us perfectly. It's perfect and beautiful and, yet, terrifying inside. That world is competitive and gritty, and your feet are ruined....."

Most of the costumes the sisters designed appear onstage during the "Swan Lake" performances. However, the sisters also designed some of the knitwear in the film, including leotards, shawls, and leg and armwarmers. The silk tulle-and-chiffon  gown Portman wears as her character is introduced as the prima ballerina was also specially designed by the Mulleavys.