RAIN Dries Van Noten Talks Designing for Modern Dance

The celebrated 2001 dance piece Rain, choreographed by Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker of the company Rosas is a vibrant, abstract work exploring space and rhythm; a cast of ten dancers traverse the stage by leaping, running and rolling, with a momentum driven by the thrum of American composer Steve Reich’s score, performed live by musical ensemble Ictus.

There’s a warmth to the piece, enhanced by the costumes, which were designed by Dries Van Noten. Their colour palette evolves, moving through beiges, pinks and magentas that echo the energy of the movement. “Dance and fashion can easily relate to one another – clothing is a second skin that can emphasise movement, form and grace,” says Van Noten. “But designing costumes is much more specific than normal ready-to-wear. The design needs to encompass a movement as extreme or as subtle as the choreographer requires.”

Courtesy of AnotherMag
Photo Courtesy of Rosas