Let’s put aside for a moment that Black Swan is this out of control, crazy-beautiful, psycho-sexual mind bender and focus on the fashion. And by fashion we mean Rodarte. Kate and Laura Mulleavy, the sisters who created Rodarte in 2005, have summoned the most ornate pieces of perfection for Black Swan, which debuted December 3rd.
Leaving no room for error, these darkly glam creations are both dainty and commanding. Rodarte has used horror and ballet as inspiration in former collections, but this was a chance for the design team to take control of 40+ costumes.
The Rodarte designers made headlines previously for missing the 2010 Cooper Hewitt National Design Award luncheon, where Michelle Obama was the honorary patron. The sisters won the award, but cut out at the last minute for family reasons. More eyebrow-raising, though, is the diet and personal training regime Anna Wintour suggested – or rather, demanded and paid for - after Rodarte was showcased in Vogue. The sisters claimed their doctor had suggested a fitness regime, and they wrote about it in the April 2008 issue of the magazine.
The Mulleavys’ beauty/savageness dichotomy comes honestly; their egghead childhoods were spent wandering around the woods on mushroom hunts with their botanist father and hanging out with punks. Their dramatically romantic creations are inspired by kabuki theater, literature and art history (their college majors) and exquisite femininity.
Here is some of their work, and make sure to check out the other awe strikingly beautiful designs from Rodarte in Black Swan.
Louboutin for Rodarte
**Mankx would like to welcome a new addition to our team, Padgett Farmer. Welcome aboard, Padgett!
