kate mulleavy

>> Thanks to Natalie Portman, who introduced Laura and Kate Mulleavy to Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky (whose film they ultimately created 40 costumes for, as well as the knitwear worn throughout), the Rodarte designers seem to be hooked on costuming for movies. "What’s interesting is that, as designers, our job is something so seasonal,” Laura said. “You finish a show and you’re already thinking about your next one. In film, you make pieces of clothing that go down in history. It’s been very, very exciting for us.” And would they do it again? “This was a magic combination of all the people involved, but we’re definitely open to doing it again.” [WWD]

>> Laura and Kate Mulleavy recently announced that they're collaborating with Opening Ceremony on womenswear, menswear, shoes, handbags, eyewear, hosiery for Spring under the label Rodarte for Opening Ceremony. Laura sat down with the retailer to talk about creating prints for their own label — "For the new [Spring 2011] collection, we did about 20 prints and 12 of them were off '70s wood paneling, different floorboards" — and their month-long quest for the right button: "We used a button for the first time, and that was traumatic! We needed one for this pair of shorts because it looked cute. And I hate buttons. So, we looked for buttons for a month at every source of buttons in the world and we never found one we liked. So, eventually I was talking to this tailor when I was picking up my dry cleaning, and I was like, 'Well, what do guys use for buttons?' and he said, 'Just make a covered button.' So, that's what we did. But it was flat, so it doesn't look like anything!"

She also explained how the Black Swan collaboration came about: "Someone in LA said to us, 'I don't know if you've heard about this secret script that's going around Hollywood, but I think it would be perfect for you to do something with this film.' It's basically a ballet horror film, which we had done a whole collection of. It went really well. I think what we do aesthetically worked for what he needed for the film. It's like a whole Swan Lake with a demon and everything, it's really cool. I think when you see it, you're gonna freak out."

>> Rodarte Reportedly Bans Pre-Show Backstage Press —Rodarte is known for their innovative makeup looks, but it sounds like there will be no peeks for the press until the models hit the runway tomorrow. Word is Laura and Kate Mulleavy have banned backstage access for beauty press this season. Some have speculated it's because the shows looks will be even more elaborate than usual. Perhaps they don't want anything to leak on Twitter beforehand. But one insider seems to think otherwise: "It's because Rodarte is furious with MAC for canceling their collection." And no beauty press backstage means fewer MAC mentions.

>> Rodarte Kitted Natalie Portman Out for the Black Swan Red Carpet —It's no secret that Natalie Portman is a Rodarte fan — she attended the Mulleavy's most recent fashion show, has worn the label on the red carpet in the past, and now on-screen as well for Black Swan. All that considered, plus the fact that Laura and Kate Mulleavy created 40 costumes for the film, makes it no surprise that Portman chose to wear Rodarte for the film's world premiere in Venice today. The Mulleavys created a scarlet Swarovski-encrusted tulle gown specifically for the occasion, demonstrating their abilities to create red carpet-friendly gowns if the occasion requires. [Style File]

>> Pierre-Yves Roussel, CEO of LVMH's fashion division, has been spotted sitting in Rodarte's front row every season as far back as February 2009. At the most recent show in February, he would only say of his presence: “We still love what they do.”

Now comes word that LVMH and Laura and Kate Mulleavy have held on-and-off discussions about an acquisition since Spring. The talks have reportedly recently trailed off, with no deal currently in the works, and neither party was available for comment.

Rodarte does tend to be more about buzz than strong financial incentives: the brand reportedly has estimated annual revenues of less than $2 million and is incurring losses.

>> A First Look at Rodarte's Black Swan Costumes In Action —We've seen a photo preview of one of the ballet costumes Laura and Kate Mulleavy created for Natalie Portman to wear in Darren Aronofsky's upcoming film Black Swan, but now that the movie's trailer just came out, we have a peek at the rest of the 39 costumes they created to outfit the entire ballet corps — in action. Better news for the Rodarte girls than the cancellation of their makeup collaboration with M.A.C. yesterday.

Video: The trailer! »

>> Fashion's Night Out is back with even more bang in its second year: in addition to a CBS special documenting the occasion, the official directory for the event — scheduled Sept. 10, from 6-11 pm —boasts almost 1,000 events, including a public fashion show for the first time ever.  Check out some of the highlights, below.

1. Karl Lagerfeld Will Be In Town

He's hosting a Chanel dinner the night before Fashion's Night Out, and accepting a Fashion Visionary Award (from the Couture Council of The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology) at a luncheon the day of, so he's definitely in New York for the occasion. Word is he'll be at Chanel's Soho store — where they're also offering complimentary manicures and selling the forthcoming Les Khakis de Chanel nail polish collection for one night. Alternatively, the 57th Street Chanel boutique is offering visitors the option to color-customize their very own pair of iconic Chanel ballet flats.

Block parties, exclusives, and models galore »

>> Along with the announcement that Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan will open the Venice Film Festival on Sept. 1 comes the release of the first images from the film — including a first look (left) at the 40 costumes Laura and Kate Mulleavy designed for the movie's entire ballet corps. Their work will be featured in the film's scenes from "Swan Lake," and this marks Rodarte's first foray into costuming for film.

The Mulleavys were honored last night for winning the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design Awards fashion design category by host Michelle Obama, but pulled out on attending the ceremony early yesterday morning. Their spokesman sent an email saying that the designers “had a change of plans," later adding that they “had a family obligation to attend to in Los Angeles."