And now for something completely different- a little detour on the road to hats. There’s something about point shoes that send me into raptures. Last time I was at a Ballet I started to cry I was so moved by the delicateness with which the lead ballerina fluttered her toes across the stage.

I just got in from seeing Black Swan for the third time and I have decided it must be my favorite movie. Ballet, fantastic art direction and visual effects, Natalie Portman (did you know she had a cracked rib while filming the end of the movie? Not to mention at the max, her 8hour training days), the costumes by Rodarte, the tiny details down to the placement of swan imagery in sets and the use of black and white in decoration, props and costuming. I still got goosebumps during the Black Swans debut dance.

Bringing it back to hats! As I said the costumes were by the two sister designers Rodarte.

The Swan costumes were plumed to within an inch of their lives (lust). I wasn’t such a fan of the white queens feathered halo, but the black swans crown was beautiful, not to mention the veil added for the beginning of the dance. What was interesting to notice while watching the film was that though it appeared to be a complete circle on her head, the crown is actually made up of several different pieces. The Front in a tiara shape extending to the ears, a big piece at the back top of the bun and what appeared to be two small clip-like pieces to fit between the larger bits. Great Great practical costume designing. How would one secure a full crown after all? Spose I’ll have to make a crown and do a few ballerina spins to see!

AND if you have not seen this movie, please please go. It’s dark and psychologically disturbing. But it is exquisite.