Black Swan, the ballet thriller starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis and Vincent Cassel screened in New York City over night and from all reports, the ‘Swan Lake’ ballet costumes designed by Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte were stunning. Thanks in part to the nearly 250,000 Swarovski crystals (weighing in at about 40kg / 88 pounds) that were used in the costumes to add dark, romantic aesthetics. Yes, 250,000!
The Mulleavy sisters worked with the thousands of Swarovski crystals into the Black Swan and White Swan costumes as well as the diaphanous white gown worn by Natalie Portman’s character. But it wasn’t the only place the Swarovski crystals appeared, six Swarovski chandeliers from the existing Schonbek collection also featured in the closing scene.
According to Laura Mulleavy, the collaboration came about when “someone in LA said to us, ‘I don’t know if you’ve heard about this secret script that’s going around Hollywood, but I think it would be perfect for you to do something with this film.’ It’s basically a ballet horror film, which we had done a whole collection of. It went really well. I think what we do aesthetically worked for what he needed for the film. It’s like a whole Swan Lake with a demon and everything, it’s really cool. I think when you see it, you’re gonna freak out.”
“It is an honour for Swarovski to collaborate with Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte on the ballet costumes and production designer Therese DePrez on BLACK SWAN. Swarovski crystal, renowned for its sparkling and alluring properties, is used to juxtapose the dark, dramatic costumes and sets which illustrate this chilling tale of a prima ballerina striving for perfection.” Nadja Swarovski, Vice President International Communications and Creative Director, Swarovski.
Images of the various costumes worn by Portman and Kunis in Black Swan
The Black Swan trailer
Images from: release, natalieportman.com and the official Black Swan website
That is a lot of crystals.
I like crystals but that just might be too many
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