I am a textile fanatic. Anyone who knows me know that one of my favorite places in any city is a fabric store. I will go in for thread and come out with yards of fabric if something special catches my eye, whether or not I have a project on which to use it. I have reliable sources who could attest to my having bought yards and yards of fabric in India - the first leg of a round-the-world trip - with no idea how I would use it; it was simply too beautiful to pass up. My studio is full of similar stories - yards of fabric from Paris, London, NY (the fabric from India is spoken for!), all waiting for the right project.
For classical variations, I am a fan of tradition and honoring artists who have danced before us. If you're performing a variation for which one of your favorite artists is well known, send me a photo and I can recreate the look, while making it your own. On the other hand, we all know a Giselle Act I peasant dress when we see one, but there are many ways of making one that is unique and just for you.
The perfect costume fabric can begin with color, but it shouldn't end there. It also has to do with movement. A gorgeous fabric may simply be too stiff to move well, making for an uncomfortable costume which won't be pleasing to wear - or watch!
If you are in Southern California and in need of a costume, and would like to be part of the design process, I would be happy to take you to my favorite fabric stores to select fabric together. It's wonderful to see a dancer's vision of a costume come to life. Who knows? You may develop a passion for textiles yourself!
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