Naomi Watts, Diane Lane, Chloe Sevigny, Calista Flockhart, Molly Ringwald, and Demi Moore, of course, have been slaying the sidewalks of New York all week on promotion for FEUD: Capote vs The Swans. I’ve been posting for weeks about how much I can’t wait to watch this show – and these outfits are only fueling the anticipation. Because they’re so perfectly suited to the setting of the series, that particular era, and their characters. But all those looks were only building towards the big show…the premiere the other night. Or, you might say, the Black & White Ball! 

 

The Black and White Ball is one of the most famous parties of all time. November 1966 at the Plaza Hotel, thrown in honour of Katharine (Kay) Graham who I am also obsessed with after reading her memoir, Personal History. The way she writes about the party in her book is hilarious but anyway, my point is that this ball was legendary, and it took place when Truman was at his most popular, flanked by all his Swans, before it all went to hell. 

 

The theme for this premiere, than, was the Black and White Ball and all the Swans, as expected, were preening. Naomi Watts was in black lace with cutouts but the standout feature of this dress, for me, are the shoulders. It’s kinda like an extended cap sleeve, this is a gorgeous, interesting design that works now and it would have worked then too on Babe Paley: 

Diane Lane went with a dress that was definitely giving 1960s socialite, Slim Keith would have approved. 

 

And this is Molly Ringwald in custom Rodarte – the velvet is so lush against all that tulle…

…but also, can we just appreciate this throwback? Isn’t this suuuuuch an Andie Walsh/Pretty in Pink outfit?

 

Chloe Sevigny went with Christopher John Rogers. I LOVE this dress. It’s like if Aubrey Plaza and Suki Waterhouse’s dresses from the Emmys had a baby. Very stylish, and VERY Chloe. 

Then there’s Calista Flockhart, who plays Lee Radziwill. Lee, of course, was Jacqueline Kennedy’s sister, and this dress could have actually been a nod to Jackie. This is Lee and Jackie in 1970: 

 

And this is Calista on Tuesday night. 

Would you believe it’s Zuhair Murad? It’s so much better than the sheer and body-con dresses that Zuhair Murad is known for, right?! 

Finally… 

 

My GOD, Demi Moore, maybe the most spectacular swan of them all that night – styled by Brad Goreski in Balmain: 

Demi is Ann Woodward, the showgirl who married the banking heir and then killed him, claiming she thought he was an intruder breaking into their home. This is exactly what a woman with that kind of character story would wear! 

One final note and something I’ve said before but haven’t said in a long time – we see a lot of “work” on Hollywood faces, and Demi undoubtedly has had some work. Whatever work she gets, though, she does not f-ck around too much with her lips. It makes such a difference!