Rodarte, En Pointe

I’m super late on this train, but I finally worked up the courage to see Darren Aronofsky’s “Black Swan” last week and was absolutely mesmerized by the costumery, all of which was designed by haute couture line Rodarte, the brainchild of exquisitely talented sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy.

{Rodarte sketches for the film — image from StyleCaster}

The movie itself was intense, artful, and excellently edited.  Its pace in particular was nothing short of perfect; directer Aronofsky had me on the edge of my seat, in a dizzied, full-adrenaline state of imbalance for the duration.  While the film’s tropes were somewhat familiar Beckettian post-modernist territory (the blurring of fiction and reality; the relationship between self and art; the composition, dissolution, and reduplication of identity; self destruction and self creation; etc), they were handled with such grace and nuance, I found the entire work fresh and vibrant.  And the costumes?  Ba.na.nas.  I’ve already run a post on ballet-inspired fashion, but I’m totally inspired.

{image from the wardrobe whisperer}

To adapt the look to my everyday wardrobe specifications, I’d begin with a statement-making feather-accented top (ugh — love!  — Jason Wu, $1,600, Net-A-Porter), which would look perfect with my go-to skinnies:

I’d keep things in the same color family, but opt for nude add-ons, like this kiss-lock clutch ($55, TopShop) and these be-tasseled flats (adore these affordable Jeffrey Campbells, $130, Jildor):

As for jewelry?  I’m thinking a pair of floral studs ($50, Amrita Singh) and this long, dramatic multi-tier find ($95, Juliet and Company):

And over it all (because  my GOSH it is freezing outside) — this Reiss “Bally” jacket ($385, Reiss):

In.love with the funnel collar and the flap pockets.  Sleek design.  As an alternative, I’ve been eying this Reiss top (on sale for $150, Reiss —  the draping on the sleeves interests me), which I’d tuck into a black lace mini (Sandro, $255, Net-A-Porter) layered atop some black opaque tights and paired with — you guessed it — the item currently occupying the ultra-covet position on my lust-list, these black Brian Atwood t-straps (TDF — $580, Intermix):

I like the idea of playing up the tension between the airiness of the silky, blush-pink blouse and the heaviness of the black t-straps by pairing with some basic pearl clips ($190, Charm and Chain) and a long, tangly, pearl necklace ($340, Pret-A-Beaute):

A perfect white swan / black swan tension.  For weekend wear, I’m loving dove gray on blush pink.  I’ve been toying with the idea of test-driving Kate-Moss-approved gray skinnies (I’d invest in J. Brand’s version — on sale for $118, PiperLime) and pairing it with a cropped lace top (MSGM, on sale for $197, Farfetch — I’ve been seriously dappling with different styles of proportion play, and this boxy shirt would look lovely against a lean cigarette leg), a slouchy blazer ($110, TopShop),  and some nude patent pumps (Jimmy Choo, $680, MyTheresa):

Some gold statement earrings ($40, Max and Chloe) and a dove gray hobo ($137, ASOS) finish the look:

Or how about this lace-trim tunic top (love its breeziness — $195, Calypso), paired with a lady-like ribbon-accented necklace ($28, TopShop), gray skinnies, and some picture-perfect bow-bedecked ballet flats ($70, TopShop):

I think I’d finish the look with this to.die.for Chloe tote (l.o.v.e the Marcie series — $1,820, Intermix):

For something on the dressier side, I’m loving this ethereal taupe silk strapless number by Carven ($690, LaGarconne) topped off with some burnished gold and pearl drops ($145, Charm and Chain):

I’d round out the look with a sparkling, oversized-stone cuff (Erickson Beamon, $475, Charm and Chain) and some nude platforms ($465, Forzieri):

Don’t forget a spritz of Balmain’s spicy Ambre Gris ($100, Matches) — love the design of the bottle:

To top it all off — a little whimsy never hurt anyone, and this unforgettable rose-colored feather jacket from TopShop would be prima ballerina territory ($115, TopShop):

It’d look equally perfect atop this artfully-draped Halston Heritage mini ($360, MyTheresa)

I’d add a spritz of “Miss Dior Cherie” (my sister’s go-to; it smells lovely and the design of the bottle is dar.ling — $82, Nordstrom):

And then finish with these to.die.for Miu Miu t-straps (on sale for $292, Neiman Marcus):

Alternately, how sexy-chic is a lace bustier (Rosamosario, $605, Net-A-Porter) tucked into a drapey ballerina-style skirt (DVF, $305, Matches)?

I like the look finished with a slightly aggressive heel (to balance out the uber-femininity of the rest of the outfit –$160, Heels):

And then this punk-gone-couture knuckle ring clutch (who else but Alexander McQueen – $1,540, Montaigne Market), a stack of lucite bangles (love their vaguely irreverent, semi-futuristic vibe — Lee Angel, on sale for $84/set, Charm and Chain), and some sparkling art deco-style enorma-studs ($154, Ben-Amun):

Finally — and I’ve been waiting forever to feature this hot little number — a blush pink structured mini by Camilla & Marc (they designed one of my absolute FAVORITE dresses in my wardrobe, and I’m in.love. with their cute/feminine-meets-body-conscious styling — $750, Net-A-Porter):

Go “dark swan chic” by adding a black-accented chain necklace (Marni, $570, Net-A-Porter), a black feather clutch ($65, Friis), and some glossy black “I mean business” platforms ($795, Yves St. Laurent):

Suh-woon.