The Black Swan Premiere: How Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, and Winona Ryder Redefined Balletcore Fashion

When Black Swan premiered in 2010, it wasn’t just a cinematic moment — it was a fashion one. On the red carpet, Mila Kunis, Natalie Portman, and Winona Ryder each embodied the film’s haunting duality of grace and darkness through couture looks that still inspire today.

From Kunis’s ethereal Elie Saab gown and gold Christian Louboutin “Maggie” pumps to Portman’s Dior sophistication and Ryder’s androgynous Givenchy suit, the premiere became a masterclass in ballet-inspired elegance with an edge.

Mila Kunis’s Ethereal Elie Saab Gown and Christian Louboutin “Maggie” Pumps

At the New York premiere of Black Swan on November 30, 2010, Mila Kunis perfectly embodied old-Hollywood elegance with a modern twist.

Mila Kunis radiates elegance in an Elie Saab Spring 2011 silk V-neck gown paired with Christian Louboutin “Maggie” pumps and vintage Fred Leighton gold jewelry at the Black Swan premiere in New York on November 30, 2010 (Credit: Andres Otero / WENN)

Her soft lilac Elie Saab gown and golden accessories captured the ethereal tone of the film — graceful, mysterious, and unforgettable.

Mila Kunis adds a vintage touch with 19th-century gold bangle bracelets by Fred Leighton, complementing her ethereal Elie Saab gown at the Black Swan New York premiere

Sure, she looked fabulous in a fluid Grecian gown from the Elie Saab Spring 2011 Collection. However, it was the pair on her feet that was begging for attention.

Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, and Vincent Cassel attend the New York Premiere of “Black Swan” at the Ziegfeld Theatre on November 30, 2010, in New York City (Credit: Andres Otero/ WENN)

Christian Louboutin’s “Maggie” Pumps: A Flash of Modern Edge

Her choice of footwear — the Christian Louboutin “Maggie” platform pump — was pure early-2010s glamour. Known for its towering 140 mm heel, generous platform, and signature metal toe cap, the “Maggie” exudes both polish and attitude.

The steel-tipped finish added a touch of rock-chic contrast to Kunis’s ethereal Elie Saab gown, grounding her romantic look with a flash of modern edge.

Mila Kunis stuns in a lilac Elie Saab Spring 2011 silk gown paired with gold Christian Louboutin “Maggie” pumps and statement Fred Leighton jewelry

Both Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian have also worn Louboutin’s “Maggie” pumps — J.Lo styling them with a curve-hugging dress and Kim pairing hers with sleek leather pants — proving the design’s blend of classic glamour and modern edge.

Natalie Portman’s Dior Elegance and Olympia Le-Tan Book Clutch

At the 2010 New York Premiere of Black Swan, Natalie Portman embraced the film’s dark, ballet-inspired elegance in a stunning black Christian Dior Resort 2011 gown.

The sophisticated full-length dress, often described as black silk, was a perfect choice for the actress, who had recently become the face of Dior fragrances. Her look maintained a sleek and dramatic flair, a stylish nod to her Academy Award-winning role.

Natalie Portman exudes timeless elegance in a black Christian Dior Resort 2011 gown, pairing the off-shoulder silhouette with a green Olympia Le-Tan “Lolita” book-clutch at the Black Swan New York premiere on November 30, 2010 (Credit: Andres Otero / WENN)

To accompany her Dior gown at the Black Swan New York premiere, Natalie Portman carried a unique and eye-catching accessory: a book-inspired clutch by French designer Olympia Le-Tan.

Natalie Portman carries a whimsical Olympia Le-Tan “Lolita” book-clutch — a handmade literary-themed accessory that adds an intellectual twist to her Dior ensemble at the Black Swan premiere (Credit: Andres Otero / WENN)

Known for her collection of whimsical minaudières that resemble classic novels, the actress’s particular choice was modeled after “Lolita.” The hard-case accessory stood out as an unusual and charming twist on a traditional evening bag.

Every book clutch or handbag from Olympia Le-Tan is made by hand. If you look at the Lolita closely, you will find that the cover is made of canvas, while the details are embroidered in silk, not printed. The lining is also unique. It uses a Liberty print lining and felt appliqué.

Olympia Le-Tan Lolita Mini Clutch, $1,330

Winona Ryder’s Gothic-Chic Power Dressing in Givenchy

Winona Ryder, who played a pivotal role in Black Swan, brought her signature gothic sophistication to the New York premiere on November 30, 2010.

Eschewing the typical red-carpet gown, she opted for a sleek, androgynous ensemble that perfectly balanced power and poise — a true reflection of her timeless individuality.

Winona Ryder channels modern elegance in a black Givenchy Resort 2011 suit paired with Stephen Russell jewelry and a Lanvin Ouloulette satin brooch clutch at the Black Swan premiere in New York on November 30, 2010 (Credit: Andres Otero / WENN)

Behind the Scenes: Ballet Discipline, Rivalry, and Artistic Transformation

When Black Swan premiered in 2010, Mila Kunis revealed a new side of her artistry — one that merged discipline, darkness, and grace.

Cast as Lily, the audacious rival to Natalie Portman’s fragile Nina Sayers, Kunis delivered a performance that was both hypnotic and unsettling. Director Darren Aronofsky had been struck by her intensity in Forgetting Sarah Marshall and knew she could bring the right mix of sensuality and unpredictability to the screen.

Natalie Portman in a sleek black blazer paired with a printed dress and Mila Kunis in a chic white coat at the 2009 American Ballet Theatre Fall Gala at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, on October 7, 2009, in New York City (Credit: Andres Otero/ WENN)

To inhabit the role of a professional ballerina, Kunis trained for months and adopted a strict physical regimen. She later admitted it was one of the most demanding transformations of her career — not for vanity’s sake, but for authenticity. “You fake it,” she said, reflecting on the process years later, “but you have to look like it.” Her portrayal captured the beauty and brutality of ballet, exposing the razor-thin line between perfection and self-destruction.

Aronofsky, ever the provocateur, even encouraged subtle rivalry between his two leading women to heighten their performances. Yet off-camera, Kunis and Portman forged a genuine friendship. “We had nights in sweatpants watching Top Chef,” Portman recalled, “and suddenly we were in tutus together, exhausted and laughing.”

Mila Kunis transforms into Lily, the daring rival ballerina to Natalie Portman’s Nina, in Darren Aronofsky’s psychological thriller Black Swan — a role that showcased both her discipline and dark allure (Credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Both actresses have spoken about the vulnerability the film demanded — from the punishing choreography to the raw emotional exposure. The result was a haunting study in artistic obsession, one that blurred the boundaries between body and performance.

Fashion and Symbolism: Rodarte’s Tutus and Amy Westcott’s Ballet Costumes

The film’s brilliance extended beyond its acting and cinematography — its fashion told a story of its own. Every costume reflected the psychological descent of its characters, blending the purity of classical ballet with the menace of a psychological thriller.

Natalie Portman radiates sophistication in an off-the-shoulder black gown, while Mila Kunis stuns in a plunging beige dress — the duo embodying Black Swan’s contrast of light and dark at the film’s New York premiere (Credit: B. Ach / INFevents)

The ethereal tutus worn during the Swan Lake performances were created by Rodarte, the Los Angeles-based label founded by sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy.

Their designs fused traditional ballet craftsmanship with a dark, avant-garde sensibility: delicate feathers, crystal embellishments, and distressed fabrics that suggested both fragility and decay.

Each tutu became a visual metaphor for transformation — most famously, the White Swan’s pristine innocence giving way to the Black Swan’s seductive chaos.

Natalie Portman rehearses as Nina Sayers in Black Swan, wearing soft pastel ballet separates and pale pointe shoes that capture the film’s delicate “White Swan” aesthetic (Credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Overseeing the film’s broader wardrobe was costume designer Amy Westcott, who balanced Rodarte’s theatricality with realism. She dressed Nina in soft layers and pale knits that mirrored her vulnerability, while Lily’s wardrobe featured darker tones and edgier silhouettes, signaling her confidence and danger.

Together, these contrasting aesthetics captured the film’s central theme — the tension between light and dark, control and surrender.

As the story unfolds, the shift in color palette becomes almost imperceptible yet profoundly symbolic. Whites and blush tones fade into grays and blacks as Nina loses her grip on reality. By the film’s end, her wardrobe — like her mind — is consumed by shadow.

Director Darren Aronofsky, Vincent Cassel, and Natalie Portman on the set of Black Swan in New York City on December 7, 2009 (Credit: WENN)

The Enduring Shoe and Style Legacy of Black Swan

Black Swan’s impact reached far beyond the screen. In the years following its release, the film became a touchstone for the “balletcore” fashion trend — a soft, feminine aesthetic infused with discipline and edge. Wrap sweaters, tulle skirts, and satin ballet flats began appearing on runways and in street style alike, blending studio grace with modern wearability.

Natalie Portman, as Nina Sayers in Black Swan, sits on the studio floor clutching her satin pointe shoes — a quiet moment that captures the film’s blend of vulnerability, obsession, and the disciplined beauty of ballet footwear

The pointe shoes used in the film were sourced from authentic dance brands like Freed of London and Mirella, grounding its fantasy in the traditions of real ballet. But the influence didn’t stop there.

Inspired by the movie’s haunting beauty, Christian Louboutin created a pair of extreme, ballerina-inspired heels that reimagined the art form through couture craftsmanship — fusing elegance, danger, and impossible elevation.

While Black Swan helped ignite mainstream fascination with ballet aesthetics, Your Next Shoes has also explored how the “balletcore” trend evolved on and off the runway — from pointe-inspired heels to modern ballet flats seen on today’s celebrities. Below are some standout features celebrating the enduring elegance of ballet footwear:

👠 Explore Ballet-Inspired Shoe Moments:

Mila Kunis, as the enigmatic Lily, confronts Natalie Portman’s Nina in a tense backstage moment from Black Swan — a scene that captures the film’s haunting blend of rivalry and reflection (Credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Other luxury houses soon followed suit. Miu Miu’s later collections, filled with ribbon-tied flats and soft pink tones, carried the spirit of Black Swan’s visual legacy into the modern era.

Even today, its influence lingers in every lace-up heel and tulle-inspired gown that walks the red carpet — proof that Black Swan didn’t just redefine psychological drama; it redefined the fashion of obsession itself.

From her ethereal Black Swan transformation to her sleek modern red-carpet style, Mila Kunis has mastered the art of reinvention.

Eight years after channeling the haunting grace of a ballerina, she traded feathers and tulle for sharp tailoring and shimmer, stepping into the 2018 Billboard Music Awards with the same quiet confidence—but an entirely new edge.

Mila Kunis’s Modern Evolution: From Balletcore to Billboard Glamour

In May 2018, Black Swan actress Mila Kunis joined Ciara, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, and Maren Morris at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Mila Kunis rocks a chic off-shoulder black top with a studded belt at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas on May 20, 2018 (Credit: Apega / WENN)

Showing off her new hairstyle at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards, the then-34-year-old actress wore a black and silver crystal-embellished cady skirt paired with a black long-sleeve crop top from the same David Koma Fall 2017 collection.

Mila Kunis stuns in a sleek black David Koma outfit featuring an off-shoulder top and a studded mini skirt (Credit: Nicky Nelson / WENN)

Her $2,125 skirt is quite a bargain compared to JLo’s $85,070 Roberto Cavalli croc creation.

Mila Kunis dazzles on the red carpet in a black David Koma ensemble featuring an off-shoulder top, a studded mini skirt, and black pointed-toe pumps (Credit: Nicky Nelson / WENN)

Don’t you wish she had rounded off her look with a more edgy pair of shoes?

Honoring Friendship in Style: Mila Kunis and Zoe Saldaña at the Walk of Fame

Earlier that month, Ashton Kutcher’s wife attended Zoe Saldaña’s Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony in black laceless ‘Annie’ brogues from The Frye Company.

Mila Kunis showed up to watch her friend Zoe Saldaña receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood on May 3, 2018 (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)

Mila, who worked with Zoe in the 2007 movie ‘After Sex,’ spoke at the event to honor her friend.

“I admire you as a person, a wife, a sister, a mother, a businesswoman, and an actress. While the world knows you for the characters you have played, I have the privilege of knowing the working mom behind the scenes,” Mila said during the speech.

Zoe Saldaña stuns in a white midi dress with strappy heels, while Mila Kunis keeps it casual in a black ensemble at Zoe’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)

As Mila Kunis and Natalie Portman’s haunting performances in Black Swan continue to influence both cinema and fashion, their off-screen style evolution proves just as captivating. From Dior pumps to daring Louboutins, each has embraced footwear as a form of self-expression — balancing artistry, femininity, and edge long after the final curtain fell.

👠 Explore More Natalie Portman & Mila Kunis Shoe and Style Moments: