Planning a "Black Swan" costume

It's time for a new costume project, and I have my eyes set on the title character from "Black Swan":



Has anyone seen replicas of that, or tried to make that costume yourself? I will probably buy the shoes and make everything else from scratch: bodice with tutu, tiara and hair piece - and the wings. So far no idea how to do them, and I would appreciate any tips or experience!

(complete costume, without wings)
(make-up and tiara)
(close-up of bodice)
(wings after her transformation)

I hope to start in two weeks, after my final exams at university...

I'm sure if you had enough HD screencaps, some sewing skills and a little paitience you could easily make your own costume!

I was so hoping someone was going to make this costume. I loved this movie !

This costume would really stand out at a Con. Anxious to see your costume.

Thank you James! I was a bit nervous about wearing it at a con because Black Swan doesn't really fit into a category (fantasy / sci-fi). But I loved the movie and I think the costume is beautiful - and with the wings it fits on a fantasy convention too.

@indydude18
Patience I got, screencaps will be easy to find. It's just the sewing skills I'm lacking.

The Black Swan dance costumes were based off the real deal Ballet costumes. So underneath the feathers and decoration is a leotard and tutu. Here's a site that has Ballet related costume books and information:

Tutu.Com - Costuming Books, Claudia R. Folts

And of course the awesome Costumes.org page on Ballet costume construction:

The Costumer's Manifesto:* Dance Costume Links

Hope this helps!

KristinaLeigh said:

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The Black Swan dance costumes were based off the real deal Ballet costumes. So underneath the feathers and decoration is a leotard and tutu. Here's a site that has Ballet related costume books and information:

Tutu.Com - Costuming Books, Claudia R. Folts

And of course the awesome Costumes.org page on Ballet costume construction:

The Costumer's Manifesto:* Dance Costume Links

Hope this helps!

yeah what she said. My ex wife was a ballet instructor and most of the ballet outfits were standard with just stuff added on for whatever effect you're going for, good luck!

I would forgo the wings if I were you. The costume is recognizable enough without them. Besides, the wings were CGI, and some of the cheesier CGI at that.

Its the makeup that will really sell this one.

Skip the wings and concentrate on getting the other parts perfect. Like feathering that bodice.

(Strange, I thought I posted this the other day, but it doesn't seem to be here anymore)

I have some scans from a book on making proper tutus. It includes details such as what kind of pinked edges Odette and Odile are traditionally supposed to have. No idea if these were followed for the film but as a little tiny detail they might be of interest.

I can send you the links is you pm me I haven't seen such easy and clear instructions anywhere online or in readily available books. This is way out of print.

The book even has a pattern for knitting a practice leotard. It is very cool

Wow, thanks for the links and tips!! And MDB, you've got mail...

Darth Mule, I was gonna start with the tutu and bodice anyway - I think you're right, it's recognizable without the wings if the make-up and everything looks accurate. Hmmm, doing the transformation scene at a costume contest would be fun though.

well, I don't know jack about sewing, but for the tiara, I'd sculpt it in clay and cast it in pot metal. It's cheap and maleable. With a decent mold, you can make a few casts, should anything happen to one.

-Fred

I saw some beautiful black wings at Goth Fest in Whitby a couple of years ago, with a decent wingspan (rather than the rather naff ones that I've always seen in costume shops). They were reasonably priced as well and not as heavy as I'd expected them to be.
I'll see if I can track down the seller's business card in the office for you.

My friend drew a picture of me as Black Swan.... Not sure if a hand drawn picture of a skinny dude in a tutu is something anyone would want to see though. LOL

Is this costume going to come with multiple personalities too

Darth Mule said:

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I would forgo the wings if I were you. The costume is recognizable enough without them. Besides, the wings were CGI, and some of the cheesier CGI at that.

Its the makeup that will really sell this one.

Skip the wings and concentrate on getting the other parts perfect. Like feathering that bodice.

Darth Mule is right, the makeup is definitely going to win you the gold with this costume.

Here is a really good tutorial for doing the makeup.
YouTube - ‪Natalie Portman Black Swan‬‏

How to make a fascinator:
YouTube - ‪How-to Make a Fascinator, Curling Feathers, CRAFTOVISION‬‏

I couldn't find anything on how to attach feathers to clothing, so I assume you can hot glue some to a bodice you manage to find along the way. :-P

Thanks for the tips guys, I'm now FINALLY starting on the costume!



So, I've cut various lengths of tulle and sewn them together to 12 layers. The widest layer will be the top one, they get smaller towards the legs in order to support themselves. MDB, your scans were a HUGE help with this!



Then I've gathered the three top layers (separately) and sewn them onto an elastic waist band. The remaining 9 layers will have to go onto additional bands or directly on the knickers - whatever works.



That's the result so far in combination with a dramatic pose. The top is just one that I had at home - I'm gonna work on a bodice as soon as the tutu is done. So long!

Sooo, I finally had a chance to work on this again today, that's the current status:



I added 3 layers of tulle underneath and a layer of cotton on top. The tulle will be visible again once I've shortened the cotton layer and added the remaining 9 layers of tulle. The tulle is sewn to a band which can be taken of (in case I want to sit down or.. uhm, use the restroom). So it just looks like a mini skirt as you can see on the right.



Okay so in theory this is going to be the corset, which will be the next step. Anyone here made one before? I would appreciate tips, do's and dont's...

MadAlice said:

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Thank you James! I was a bit nervous about wearing it at a con because Black Swan doesn't really fit into a category (fantasy / sci-fi).

It may not be fantasy/sci-fi but the look is so iconic, especially with the makeup, that I don't think you will have any problem standing out and being recognized, especially if you can do some of the poses.

Good luck with your build! It looks very complicated and I don't envy your task!

MadAlice said:

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Okay so in theory this is going to be the corset, which will be the next step. Anyone here made one before? I would appreciate tips, do's and dont's...

I've made several corsets. The most important thing is to make a mock-up and fit that. Once you have the correct fit, use the mockup as your final pattern pieces.

Oh and if this is your first corset, don't freak out. They aren't that hard to make - if you have basic sewing skills (sewing straight seams and top stitching), you can make a corset.

Lynn

The corset is actually coming out well - considering it's my very first try. I'll finish it this weekend (right now I still have to hold it together by hand) and add the feathers and rhinestones during the week. The skirt is now pretty much done. I added another layer of tulle on top of the cotton and sewed feathers around the hip (which you cannot really see on this picture).

There's a sci-fi/fantasy convention in one week and I wanted to wear this costume - but I still have to finish the corset, get ballet shoes, try the make-up, and make a tiara. We'll see, I might do some night shifts...

The makeup is simple enough, just work flick up slightly from the natural shape of your eyebrows and angle down the bridge of your nose

Your costume looks awesome too!

Are you going for the tiara too?

Yes I want to make the tiara next, but I'm not sure how to yet.



So the corset is pretty much done, although it needs some more rhinestones and feathers.

And that is the result:

I know someone who is working on the tiara as well. Great work so far MadAlice!

Thank you!!
Do you know how your friend is making the tiara?

Personally I'd get a pre-made tiara (metal would probably work best!) hold it over a hot flame and let it warp in the heat - there doesn't seem to be any kind of pattern to the one she's wearing in the promo photos that I've seen, and you know it'll be unique!

Otherwise, just get some dark jewellery wire from a craft shop and go nuts with it yourself