Costume

The costumes for 32 Cryptograms have androgynous, sleek modern designs by Jon Morrell. The design uses tailoring and cut-out panels to create a feeling of understated timeless design. The colour of the costumes is a soft grey (Pantone 5405), and this colour along with the dancers' soft shoes adds to the contemporary feel.

The female dancers wear halter-neck double strap bodices with cut out design in the back panel, while the male dancers wear waistcoats which mirror the design in bodice by having cut-out panels, lined with a cream fabric and a dark blue (Pantone 5405 U) in the front. Both wear a tailored draped trouser made from grey jersey and soft dark coloured shoes.

The detail on the backs of the costumes highlights the many facings in the choreography and contrasting jersey and silk fabrics create light reflections as the dancers move.

Costumes for dance must be functional as well as having maximum impact on the stage, and every dancer is fitted for their costume individually. The Head of Wardrobe will watch the dancers rehearse in mock-up costumes, in order to check that the costumes move well with the choreography.

The dancers will have more than one set of costumes as after each performance the costumes need to cleaned by the Wardrobe team. Depending on the material from which they are made, the costumes may not be able to be washed but may be sprayed instead.

Sketches