January 3, 2025 |
For those of us who love fashion, it’s not just about what we wear; it’s a dynamic tool for self-expression. On a good day, we wear bold colours to match our mood, while on a tough one, we turn to black for comfort. We dress up when we need an emotional lift and dress down when we’re feeling drained. Sometimes we channel punk for its rebellious energy, other times we indulge in Kawaii-inspired looks because we’ve always felt a deep affinity for Japanese culture. The way we dress reflects our feelings, our tastes, and who we are at any given moment. Fashion is a tangible and universally accessible form of self-actualisation, much like dance. You don’t need to be a trained dancer to move your body; you just need to let go, sway your hips, or stretch your limbs – whatever feels right. Both fashion and dance offer a cathartic release, a space where self-expression flows freely without rules or limitations. But what happens when these two powerful forms of expression merge?
Take FKA Twigs’ spontaneous performance celebrating her collaboration with Swiss sportswear label ON which took place during September Fashion week last year. With movement direction by Zoï Tatopoulos, dance was used as a kinetic narrative to exhibit the brand’s SS25 collection, which appeared as if designed to flow in harmony with motion. Or recall the awe-inspiring SS19 Dior show, where contemporary dancers sashayed through passels of fallen rose petals alongside models clad in balletic ensembles that exuded romance. Even the SS25 season was getting down with dance; Ferragamo wrapped models in cashmere practice uniforms and parachute-style tutus, Simone Rocha sent a troupe of models down the runway in silhouettes that felt plucked from a gothic Swan Lake, and JW Anderson blurred the lines between costumes and ready-to-wear with sculptural pieces that mimicked tutus and danced with the body as much as the eye. These are only a few of the near endless examples of the symbiosis that oscillates between dance and fashion, movement and style. It’s a cultural exchange, channelling the best part of both businesses.
Here, we speak with three of the dancers that are fusing fashion and movement in a refreshing bid for self expression to find out how their unique approaches are shaping this creative dialogue – and how this cultivates their own sense of self.
Ed Alexander Munro
A commercial mover backing Dua Lipa and FKA Twigs on the reg, Ed Alexander Munro brings an electrifying blend of precision and personality to every performance. Known for his ability to seamlessly switch between sultry, fluid choreography and sharp, dynamic movements, Munro has carved out a niche as a dancer who embodies both technical excellence and raw emotional connection. Whether he’s lighting up the stage at sold-out arenas, starring in cutting-edge music videos or moving his muscles in high fashion campaigns, Munro’s versatility and charisma make him a go-to collaborator for music’s biggest names – and a force to be reckoned with in the world of contemporary dance.
1. What draws you to dance and to fashion?
On the other side of that, I grew up obsessed with MTV. The music videos, the choreography, the looks – it was everything. I’d watch them on repeat, completely captivated by the dancing, the fashion, the makeup… then I’d practise some of the routines over and over until I had them perfect.
Fashion has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My parents have always been so stylish – and they still are! Growing up, they ran a location house, so I’d come home to fashion shoots happening in our front room. I was constantly surrounded by clothes and creativity. They were textile designers in the ’80s, and I’ll never forget this one piece of fabric they had – a couple of meters of bright blue lycra covered in tropical flowers. I used to drape it over myself and dance around the house, pretending it was a couture gown. So ever since childhood I’ve always found myself drawn to both fashion and dance as that’s what I grew up around and what I love.
2. What role do you feel dance has in the fashion world as a whole?
Dance in Fashion has always been there and played a super important role. From the mainstream pop icons like Madonna, who paired incredible choreography with the most iconic fashion moments, or ballet, where the costumes are works of art in themselves. Fashion and movement go hand in hand.
3. Why is it important for you to combine fashion and dance?
That’s why it’s so important for me to combine the two. They’re my passions, and I love creating moments where they enhance each other. Dressing dancers in pieces that show off their physique and movement but still looking like the most fabulous runway creations excites me… or choreographing a fashion show where movement can accentuate the beauty of the fabric and the cut of the garment – it’s about bringing both art forms to life.
4. Do you feel your personal style seeps into your style of dance or vice versa?
Even my personal clothing choices influence how I move. If I’m wearing something oversized and relaxed, my energy shifts. If it’s something sexy and fitted, I carry myself differently – it’s all connected. But when the moment calls for it, I can separate the two.
5. How/why do dance and fashion help you express yourself?
Fashion and dance are how I express myself. I’ve never felt like I was the most academic person, and words aren’t always my strongest tool. But when I dance or put together a look, that’s how I tell my story. That’s how I show who I am.
Daria Riyaaa Dash
Daria Riyaaa Dash takes OOTD to a whole new level with her acrobatic fit check videos that blend jaw-dropping physical feats with impeccable fashion sense. Whether she’s flipping into a perfectly tailored blazer, striking a handstand to show off the details of her platform boots, or twisting mid-air to highlight the cut of her pants, Dash transforms everyday styling into a high-energy spectacle. Her gravity-defying approach doesn’t just showcase her wardrobe – it redefines how movement and fashion can coexist, leaving your head spinning and your sense of style infinitely inspired.
1. What draws you to dance and to fashion?
Dance is my way of communicating without words. It allows me to transform emotions and ideas into movement, where my body becomes the instrument and the space around me becomes the canvas. Fashion does something similar – it shifts how I feel and how I move. The right garment carries its own story, changing my posture, my walk, and the energy I give off. Watching models on the runway, it’s more than just walking – they’re dancing to the rhythm of the camera shutters. For me, dance and fashion are intertwined, allowing me to take what’s internal and make it tangible – turning thoughts and feelings into something others can see and feel. I’m still in the early stages of building my own style, experimenting with movements and discovering my custom uniform, which will evolve over time.
2. What role do you feel dance has in the fashion world as a whole?
Dance brings fashion to life. Clothes aren’t just meant to be seen – they’re meant to be lived in, to move with you. A sheer cardigan might flutter like wings when I spin, or a structured pant can feel like armour when I hit a precise, controlled position. Movement reveals what still images can’t: how fabric interacts with the body, how it responds to impulses. When I move, my energy flows, and the fabric follows, sometimes catching the wind. But the real end of the movement isn’t when I stop – it’s when everything I’ve touched, including the fabric, settles into place. It’s all part of my process – shaping my style and exploring how my body and the garments work together to tell stories.
3. Why is it important for you to combine fashion and dance?
For me, they’re inseparable. I’m always aware of how the fabric reacts when I move – whether a skirt lifts with the air or jewelry clicks in sync with the rhythm of my body. But it’s more than just the clothes reacting; it’s about my body and the garment collaborating to create the shapes and poses I envision. It’s like we’re co-creators of the movement. I’m constantly experimenting – tweaking garments, trying out new accessories – until it all clicks and feels aligned. I’m also designing and altering my own pieces to fit my movements and vision, part of this ongoing process of building something new. A unique blend of dance, fashion, and self-expression that’s all my own.
4. Do you feel your personal style seeps into your style of dance or vice versa?
They’re completely intertwined. What I wear shifts how I move. A corset might keep me sharp and contained, while a flowing dress opens me up to more expansive, slower movements. Even the smallest details – like rings or heels – alter the rhythm. My clothes become part of the choreography, shaping the way I explore my body in space. They and my dance are in constant conversation, feeding off one another. I’m always experimenting, finding new boundaries, new freedoms with every piece I choose.
5. How/why do dance and fashion help you express yourself?
Dance is where I’m the most free to be honest. It’s raw, immediate, and it allows me to express what I feel without the need for words. When I discover a new movement and it clicks, it’s like I’ve worked through something deep. Fashion, on the other hand, gives me the freedom to shape the character I want to embody that day. It shifts how I stand, how I move, and even how I feel about myself. Both dance and fashion are part of a larger project I’m working on – finding my voice, my movement, and my own uniform. It’s a daily practice, and every choice I make, whether in movement or in what I wear, pushes me closer to that deeper expression. They’re both tools that help me tell stories – stories that go beyond words but live in appearance and movement. They remind me that expression has no limits.
Camri Hewie
Ballerina Camri Hewie seamlessly merges dance and fashion, curating an Instagram feed that feels like a modern-day fairytale. Her delicate style is a study in softness and grace – think baby pinks and satin whites, adorned with bows, tutus and intricate lace details. Whether she’s posing en pointe in a romantic frock or pirouetting in an ethereal ensemble, Hewie’s aesthetic captures the timeless elegance of ballet while infusing it with contemporary charm. Her feed isn’t just a showcase of fashion; it’s a celebration of movement, femininity, and the art of storytelling through style.
1. What draws you to dance and to fashion?
I find it very cathartic to be able to tell stories and express my emotions through movement. It’s amazing being in a class with a group of people where we all learn the same choreography and then you’re able to observe the different interpretations of the movement. I find dance to be very freeing but I also love the structure and discipline that comes along with it. It’s the perfect balance for me and as someone who’s a Libra, I’m all about maintaining balance.
I’ve always been drawn to fashion from a very young age. I find it cathartic in a similar way that I find dance. There’s a lot of joy and excitement when pulling a look together to showcase a certain vibe. I’m a huge fan of texture, structure, silhouettes and I also love observing the many ways people style themselves and others.
2. What role do you feel dance has in the fashion world as a whole?
I feel that dance ultimately plays the role of influencing both movement and expression within fashion. We see it in the way movement can bring garments to life and how models strike their poses in editorials and on runways. There’s also a constant exchange of culture and storytelling between both worlds.
3. Why is it important for you to combine fashion and dance?
I started dancing at the age of two, so it’s something that will be a part of me throughout the rest of my life. I may not be as immersed in the dance world as I once was, but it’s important to always keep that part of me alive. That includes incorporating my dance roots in the way that I dress and style myself.
I stick to a color palette of baby pink, black, ivory, and other neutral colors. I’m big on styling tulle, ribbons, puffed sleeves, ballet inspired footwear and wearing my braids in various updos. I also enjoy incorporating my feminine style with my athletic pieces and accessories in dance classes where there isn’t a strict uniform.
4. Do you feel your personal style seeps into your style of dance or vice versa?
Yes definitely! My favorite styles of dance are jazz and contemporary ballet and I feel that my personal style showcases a mix of the two. I love dressing very soft and hyper-feminine with a bit of an edge.
5. How/why do dance and fashion help you express yourself?
When I dance I’m showcasing an extension of my inner world through movement. I personally find that dancing is more of an effective way of communicating my emotions and thoughts than traditional methods. It’s also great when I have the freedom to add my own flare and essence to choreography.
Fashion is a perfect outlet when I want to nonverbally communicate my emotions and personal interests. I see myself as someone who’s very lighthearted, affectionate, and sweet so I usually pull together looks that incorporate softer textures and the color baby pink. There’s also a side of me that can be a bit dark and closed off at times. On those days I love styling pieces that are black and more structured while maintaining a sense of elegance. Audrey Hepburn is one of my biggest fashion inspirations for that reason. She is also someone who was once a dancer before she became an actress and fashion icon.
Top image: photography courtesy of Ed Alexander Munro.
