Natalie Portman‘s latest film project “Black Swan” premiered to rave reviews at the London and Venice Film Festivals, and folks are already generating Oscar buzz for the actress who appears on stage in the movie as a prima ballerina.
“Black Swan” is considered a “ballet thriller” ….. and so are the costumes, which were designed by fashion designers Laura and Kate Mulleavy, a pair of sisters who work for Rodarte (a fashion label), and were introduced by Portman to the film’s director Darren Aronofsky.
Their task was to design tutus and costumes primarily for the movie’s “Swan Lake” performance, as well as “different things throughout.”
Speaking on the challenges of designing an intricate costume like a tutu, Laura (who had only seen a ballet costume up close ONCE before the film) said:
“A tutu is 13 layers of tulle sticking straight out and then it’s over the body, so you can imagine. It’s crazy! Building a tutu is one of the lost couture arts. Everyone will know it’s like getting your hand on the prize, like a coveted piece of couture that no one ever gets to see,” Laura explained. “You can’t go rent a tutu. You have to own it…They’re never actually perfect, but from afar, when you’re in the audience, it looks like one of the most beautiful things in the world.”
Source: NY Mag
