Stylish Cinema: Black Swan

One of the most-talked about movies this year is also a trendsetter. Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan is a chilling story about Nina (Natalie Portman), a ballerina who strives to be perfect by playing both the White and Black Swans in a production of Swan Lake. Her tenuous hold on her career and her sanity is set against a muted palette of white, pink, grey and black.

Amy Westcott, the film's costume designer, explained that this is intentional: "As Nina's character unravels, her colors become darker." She goes from practice ensembles of white sweaters and leotards with pink skirts and tights to grey and nearly all-black versions. Nina's look has a real-world flavor: Her clothes come from dance brands Yumiko, Freed and Mirella.

Most notable in the film are the costumes worn during Swan Lake, which are the gorgeous works of Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte. According to Vanity Fair, the Mulleavys made more than 40 clothing pieces to get the looks just right. The White and Black Swan costumes, which represented good and evil respectively, were inspired by mechanical birds. Both feature feathers, rhinestone accents and very stiff tutus. The Black Swan and Von Rothbart, the evil sorcerer, don intricate metal headpieces made of burnt copper.

Ballet-inspired fashion has also been seen in spring collections for Chanel, Chloe and J. Mendel. To get the look, try the silver ballet flats below with a shredded sweater and jeans for easy, everyday cool. For an elegant ensemble, a tulle skirt can be paired with a lace blouse and kitten heels. The feathered one-shouldered dress is a nod to the seductive Black Swan—dramatic yet not stagey, and can be worn with heels and a clutch. You too, can integrate the poise and beauty of a prima ballerina into your everyday wardrobe.