It is often a bride’s fantasy to feel like a princess on her wedding day. This season, however, brides may prefer to embody the spirit and style of a ballerina. With the recent success of Darren Aronofsky’s Oscar-nominated film “Black Swan,” it is no surprise that brides and their attendants are looking to emulate the elegant grace of Natalie Portman’s character, Nina Sayers, and the rebellious glamour of Lily, played by Mila Kunis. The Mulleavy sisters of Rodarte designed dance costumes for the “Black Swan” ballet dancers. These looks are elegant and over-the-top with embellishments running the gamut from feathers to sequins and fabrics that are typical ballet fare such as lace and tulle.
The stunning costumes are sure to provide plenty of inspiration to brides in pursuit of the perfect gown. Luckily, bridal designers have included plenty of beautiful ballet-inspired pieces in their 2011 collections. Top designers such as Vera Wang and Oscar de la Renta are putting their own twist on the ballerina trend. Various interpretations include a demure strapless ball gown with a tulle skirt and bow belt detail by Amsale as well as Rosa Clará’s flirty tea-length creation with a full, two-tier skirt and lacy, corseted bodice.
Dance infused gowns are fresh this season, but connect with historical trends from long ago. One of the first known instances of ballet-inspired bridal fashion was the wedding of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1840. At the ceremony, she wore an opulent gown of white satin and a lace veil. Her bridesmaids were dressed in matching white gowns, taking inspiration from the corps de ballet, the stylized dancers accompanying the prima ballerina. From serenely sweet to fashionably brazen, there is a ballet-inspired style for every bride-to-be. Whether she considers herself a bold black swan or a poised white swan, it is certain that with the vast array of options for the ballerina bride, she will find the perfect fit for her wedding day.
This essay was written with the assistance of Corine Brosseau, a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. This essay also appears on Closet Diaries.
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