These days, it seems that everyone wants to dress like a dancer. Which is fair enough, because dancers have style! Dancewear is fashionable even outside of the studio, but there are few collections that can truly cross from studio to street.
One that certainly can is Energetiks’ new Linkd range, a versatile urban collection which encourages dancers to be “anything but ordinary”.
WIN 1 of 2 Linkd packs, valued at $100. Just email info@danceinforma.com and tell us your fav Linkd item and why.
David McLean and Cat Santos. Photo courtesy of Energetiks.
Linkd was developed in collaboration with Australian commercial dancers Cat Santos and David McLean. Australian dancewear brand Energetiks was connected to the two dancers through its sponsorship of Dream Dance Company.
“Their energy and passion for dance both on the stage as well as during their full-house workshops was so inspiring that I knew they would be a perfect fit to do a collab with Energetiks,” says Marketing Manager Elysia Mangier. “They’re both such well respected artists in the industry but also incredibly humble and dedicated to their craft, which makes them ideal ambassadors for our brand’s followers. Together, we have developed a fantastic new collection with Linkd, which is full of your staple studio-to-street pieces constructed for you and your busy dance life. In conjunction to this, we’ve been able to create further opportunities for Australian dancers, which is integral to our brand philosophy.”
Santos and McLean came on board as creative advisors, presenting sketches, images and ideas to Energetiks, who then guided them through “what was actually possible – what material they had access to and what they knew over years of expertise worked and what didn’t,” according to McLean. “Energetiks was nothing but incredible to work with!”
Aside from Santos’ Year 10 Textiles class, this is the first time the dancers have tried their hand at clothing design; however, their years of experience training, teaching and performing make them more than qualified.
Cat Santos. Photo courtesy of Energetiks.
“We wear a lot of clothes, and we know what we like on our body,” says Santos. “We travel a lot for work as well, so we also had the ability to see what everyone all around Australia liked to wear, too. We noticed how fashionable dancewear had become and the necessity of it being able to translate into daily lifestyle.”
The resulting collection is edgy and eye-catching, in a cool monochrome palette that will be loved by commercial and contemporary dancers.
“There is not one piece of clothing in this collection that you wouldn’t be able to fall in love with,” promises Santos.
Her favourite, however, are the practical and stylish high-waisted tights.
“When I came up with the design, I knew it needed the hidden drawstring and super elastic material,” she recalls. “And what we created was exactly that: a pair of high-waisted black tights that never drop down in the crutch area. No more constant pulling up of tights!”
For the guys, McLean loves the cargo pants.
“I love the versatility of these pants,” he says. “They look like pants that you would wear out to a casual dinner but flexible enough to wear for class or even an audition.”
David McLean. Photo courtesy of Energetiks.
Other pieces in the collection include cotton throw-over tops, tie back halters, low back singlets and long sleeve tees. Every garment is made using Australian-made fabrics and the same level of expert craftsmanship that Energetiks is known for.
“We believe what Linkd sets apart from other collections is its versatility to be worn in as well as out of the dance class,” says Santos. “It’s fashionable yet comfortable for class.”
Linkd is available online and in stores now. Check it out at www.energetiks.com.au.
WIN 1 of 2 Linkd packs, valued at $100. Just email info@danceinforma.com and tell us your fav Linkd item and why.
By Rain Francis of Dance Informa.
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