An extremely underrated aspect of dance performance is the costuming. Placing a dancer in loose, flowing robes as opposed to tights and a dance belt changes the quality of movement, power, and feeling of a piece. Ken Browar and Deborah Ory of NYC Dance Project have a new book, The Style of Movement (Rizzoli,
$75), which combines their groundbreaking dance photography with costume designs from some of the most important names in fashion today, including Dior, Oscar de la Renta, and Valentino (who also wrote the introduction to the book). In an interview, the authors said, “No one can move, or bring life to an item of clothing quite like a dancer. Even when you see a child put on a dress—they twirl in circles to see how it moves with them.” By working directly with the dancers to capture their own unique styles (both fashion and movement), Browar and Ory capture the spirits and authentic joy of the dancers, as well demonstrating that fashion is not a static art form but rather one as dynamic and vital as the dancers who bring them to life.