How Charlize Theron's 'rotting' costume in Snow White And The Huntsman was made from DUNG BEETLE shells

By Kristie Lau

Published: 14:21 EST, 1 June 2012 | Updated: 16:49 EST, 1 June 2012

Charlize Theron wore a dress made from dung beetles in her new film Snow White And The Huntsman.

As Queen Ravena, the film's evil character, the 36-year-old actress wore an elaborate gown made from the shells of dung beetles that were purchased from a flea market in Thailand.

Colleen Atwood, a three-time Oscar-winning American costume designer, used the shells to create the gown's shiny exterior, which shimmers turquoise in scattered sections from neck to toe.

Authentic: A dress made of dung beetles from the film Snow White And The Huntsman was worn by actress Charlize Theron
Details: A dress, left, worn by Charlize Theron in the film Snow White And The Huntsman, right, was made from discarded dung beetle shells that were purchased by the film's costume designer at a flea market in Thailand

Details: A dress, left, worn by Charlize Theron in the film Snow White And The Huntsman, right, was made from discarded dung beetle shells that were purchased by the film's costume designer at a flea market in Thailand

Dung beetles are commonly eaten in the country as a source of protein.

The shells had caught the designer's eye as she was searching for unique materials to create the film's costumes out of.

Although it is only seen in the film, which also stars Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth, for mere seconds, the gown just as spectacular as any of the other ones the Queen is seen in.

It features jagged shoulders and is stitched from gold and turquoise chiffon.

The brief scene had called for a 'progressively rotting' look that Rupert Sanders, the film's director, had requested according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Talented: Colleen Atwood (pictured), a three-time Oscar winner, created the gown as well as the ones shown above

Talented: Colleen Atwood (pictured), a three-time Oscar winner, created the gown as well as the ones shown

He had asked that the gown looked 'decaying' and that it would 'telegraph the character's physical and psychic decay as well as her spiraling descent into madness'.

In order to create the gown, the designer had to source 'a large quantity' of the shells.

As the beetles are farmed in Thailand, she was able to obtain the required amount.

But piecing the gown together was no easy task.

Star-style: The actress was seen leaving media interviews for her new film Prometheus in London today
Star-style: The actress was seen leaving media interviews for her new film Prometheus in London today wearing tight-fitting leather pants and a warm cardigan

Star-style: The actress was seen leaving media interviews for her new film Prometheus in London today, wearing tight-fitting leather pants and new season Christian Louboutin heels

The shells are 'razor sharp' and she said they were 'treacherous' to handle.

Her sewers had to drill holds in each of the shells in order to attach them to the gown and some even had to wear gloves in order to protect her fingers.

Ms Atwood won Academy Awards for past work in the films Chicago, Memoirs Of A Geisha and Tim Burton's remake of Alice In Wonderland.

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