Dior Dream Parade
Mimbre was invited by Maria Grazia Chiuri, Creative Director of Dior women’s collections, to participate in the Spring-Summer 2019 Haute Couture show at Paris Fashion Week. 18 female acrobats took to the runway for the specially commissioned and choreographed performance for Christian Dior’s Spring-Summer 2019 (SS19) show at the Musée Rodin.
“Is it a man or a woman? It’s neither one nor the other – it’s a clown.” Sylvie Nguimfack-Perault*
Maria Grazia Chiuri wished to give form to the inspirations that shaped the creation of this haute couture collection, in constant pursuit of the surprising poetry that springs from trust and the way bodies interact, with a performance by Mimbre developed specially for the occasion. A series of human pyramids and powerful monochromatic shapes highlight the imagination that inhabits the pieces in a collection celebrating the circus and its links with costume, fashion and art. The traditional circus tent setting was designed by Shona Heath and Bureau Betak.
The performance took inspiration from the female circus performers of the past, as well as the environment of the Musée Rodin where it was presented, using the sculptor’s work to inform the acrobatic performance.
Performers:
Alice Noel, Alison Halsted, Anesta Mathurin, Arielle Lauzon, Clemence Gilbert, Elinor Harvey (understudy), Emily Nicholl, Jessica Niven, Joana Dias, Kaisha Dessalines-Wright, Karin Melin, Laura Overton, Lisa Whitmore, Marianna Boldini, Mimosa Percy, Rebecka Nord, Rosy Roberts, Sally Miller, Silvia Fratelli.
Mimbre Creative Team:
Director: Lina Johansson
Assistant Choreograoher: Mélissa Colello
Production Assistant: Zsófia Szendrei
Photo credit: Inès Manai
* Quotation from the book Le Costume de clown blanc: Gérard Vicaire, la passion pour seul habit by Sylvie Nguimfack-Perault (Editions Chapitre Douze, 2016).
“Women stood on other women’s shoulders. They strode along the walkways, held high and visible from every angle, breaking gender barriers and breaking hearts with the symbolism of so much female support: She ain’t heavy—she’s my sister.” Sarah Mower, Vogue
Watch the full show here
“…remarkable female performers […] a mix of ages, body types and nationalities, but what they all had in common was astonishing physical strength.” Osman Ahmed, i-D
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Companies
Mimbre Acrobats
- Performing Arts
