Everything
SYDNEY: This week, Maison Valentino has collaborated with the multifaceted Australian performer Chloe Leong to present a new piece of choreography called Skin Deep: a pop-up performance that’s as much about fashion as it is about freedom, femininity, and the sheer joy of movement and taking place in Sydney’s Pitt Street Mall this Friday and Saturday, March 22 and 23 respectively.
The dance will take place as a series of pop-up performances of five dancers, each embodying the spirit of the recent Valentino’s L’École collection which has also inspired a temporary art installation in Pitt Street Mall where the dance will take place. Creative Director Pierpaolo Piccioli is known for his commitment to highlighting the human form and Leong, through Skin Deep, explores the intersection between movement, fashion and the body have.
Image: @chloeleong_
What makes Skin Deep stand out is its exploration of the feminine inner landscape—a theme deeply woven into the choreography. It’s about breaking free from societal expectations and connecting with one’s unique sensuality through movement. The dancers, clad in key pieces from the L’École collection, create a dialogue between the garments and their own physicality, offering a captivating physical expression of Valentino’s message. The performance also coincides with the instore arrival of the Valentino L’École Collection.
The thread that connects fashion and dance is long. In the 80s, American designer Halston famously crafted the costumes for Martha Graham’s legendary Persephone. In 2009, one year before his passing, Alexander McQueen created the incredible pieces worn by dancers for Eonnagata.
A dancer since the age of six, Leong has evolved into a visionary who aims to make dance more accessible and diverse by stepping out of traditional theatre spaces and into the community. This collaboration with Valentino marks a significant step in continuing the conversation with the global arts and culture community, making art more engaging and educational for everyone.
Leong’s journey in dance is as remarkable as the performance itself. From her early days at the prestigious Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance to her significant contributions to the Sydney Dance Company, Leong’s career is a celebration of movement and expression. Her accolades, including the Helpmann Award for ‘Best Female Dancer’ in 2015, speak volumes of her talent and dedication to dance as a form of art that transcends boundaries and unites communities.
Skin Deep will grace Pit Street Mall at 1 pm on March 22 and again at 4 pm on March 23.
