There are certain pillars of New York City, a place of seemingly constant reinvention, that may never cease to exist. Take, for example, the Russian & Turkish Baths, the stylish citizens, and the red-hot gossip, all three of which make respective cameos in FX’s FEUD: Capote Vs. The Swans.

The series follows New York City’s social royalty of the ’60s and ’70s, lovingly dubbed “The Swans” as they seek revenge against their confidante-turned-saboteur Truman Capote. (Et tu, Capote?) Aptly cast to play these iconic women of then are some iconic women of today: Chloe Sevigny, Diane Lane, Naomi Watts, and Calista Flockhart are among the talented cast that grace our screens every Wednesday. As viewers prepared to witness Capote’s famed Black and White Ball, the Swans were outfitted by none other than designer Zac Posen. Tasked with designing the Swans’ gowns for one of the series’ most anticipated moments, the renowned designer certainly shall not disappoint.

V caught up with Mr. Posen to discuss costume design, working with the show’s cast, and collaborating with Ryan Murphy.

V Magazine: How did it feel when asked to create the gowns for the series?

Zac Posen: I was immensely honored. Ryan [Murphy] and I had been looking for an opportunity to collaborate and once Gus [Van Sant] told me about this project, I immediately offered my services. When I was later told that they would be focusing on this particular timeframe, I couldn’t have been more excited to dive in on the research and the work.

V: What were some of your initial thoughts when starting that process? Was it a solo process, or did it involve collaboration with costume designer Lou Eyrich?

ZP: Everything was a collaboration with Lou and Ryan. I am so grateful for the chance I had to work with the two of them; they have worked together for so long and have it down to a system. I had studied Vanity Fair, WWD, and Vogue articles, fashion sketches, and CBS video footage on the Black and White Ball—since it was the first televised fashion event.

I went into this looking to replicate the Swans’ outfits, minus Slim, who there is no record of her having attended the Ball, but Ryan said he did not hire me to recreate history, he wanted a lot of drama. Ryan and Lou gave me the creative freedom to make outfits that were much more elevated and fantastical than the originals.

V: What was it like working with the series’ actresses? Did you see elements of them in the women they were portraying?

ZP: I had dressed all of the women before, so it was great to be able to dress them again. Molly [Ringwald] and I formed a close friendship throughout this process and I now consider her a dear friend.

V: You’ve previously done costume design for The Outfit. Is costume design something we might see more from you in the near future?

ZP: Absolutely! I am a Hollywood buff and love this process. I hope to continue doing this and maybe even direct one day!

V: If you were to trade places with one of the Swans from Capote’s circle, who would you choose?

ZP: Oh really. Do you think I learned nothing from Mr. Capote? I would never choose among the Swans!