The Global Search for Education: Lori Belilove’s The Revolutionary — Dance, Fashion & Protest Collide at NYFW

This month, audiences can watch Lori Belilove perform The Revolutionary at New York Fashion Week. This film is curated by Planet Classroom.

The Revolutionary, performed by acclaimed dancer Lori Belilove at New York Fashion Week for designer Batsheva, is a powerful fusion of dance, fashion, and political expression. Reviving Isadora Duncan’s iconic choreography, Belilove’s emotionally charged performance explores themes of resistance, freedom, and self-expression. Her expressive movements — reaching, pulling, defying — breathe new life into a classic piece, transforming the runway into a stage for protest and art. The film captures the full performance, a post-show runway reveal, and Belilove’s personal reflections. This short film challenges norms and celebrates the timeless power of art to confront oppression and ignite change through movement and style.

The Global Search for Education is pleased to welcome back Lori Belilove.

Lori, why did you choose to perform The Revolutionary at NYFW, and what made that moment right?

Well, the way it happened was interesting. A parent of a young dance student of mine is in the fashion business, and he said, “I have a project for you.” There’s a designer looking for a performance to open NYFW, and he thought I would be perfect. At the time, I knew nothing — but I was willing and interested. Still, I wondered: What would a fashion designer want with a mature dancer like me?

Then a huge two-page spread came out in The New York Times. The headline was “Under 40 Models Need Not Apply,” and I discovered it was all about celebrating the beauty of women and aging. I thought, “OK! I fit in now!” So, I met designer Batsheva Hay and we discussed repertory ideas. When she heard about the dance The Revolutionary, she got very interested — and together we selected it. It’s 2 ½ minutes long, the perfect length to open New York Fashion Week.

The press said: Fashion Week in the News, February 13, 2024 — Designer Batsheva Hay engages dancer Lori Belilove to open her show with Isadora’s ‘Revolutionary.’

We went on a site visit to the cavernous space and decided it could work. It reinforced the theme of the event. I was thrilled to open the show, which celebrated aging. As the Artistic Director of the Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation & Company, based in New York, it made perfect sense.

What central theme did you want to express through the piece above all else?

What is this dance about, The Revolutionary? It is none other than an ode to freedom!

I used the length of the runway to charge into the open space and beseech the heavens. In the middle section, I turned inward, soul-searching with deep lunges — then outward with grasps and fighting fists. The dance pounds the walls and stomps the Earth. I turned the ode to the downtrodden into an ode to freedom. The whole time I was thinking about breaking the glass ceiling. I said to myself during it, “I am breaking the glass ceiling for all women, for all people.”

At Batsheva’s request, I re-created the dance for the runway. It’s a cry and a scream — my heart raged at the injustices of the world.

The backstory is: the original dance was created in 1924 by Isadora Duncan when she was living in Moscow and establishing her Russian school. The dance was passed down through a legacy of Duncan dancers to me, as the long-time keeper of the artistic flame and Artistic Director of the Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation & Company. We are based in New York City.

How did fashion and choreography influence one another in this performance?

How did being in a fashion show influence choreography? Well, the costume was one major element. I knew it needed to be redesigned by Batsheva to add flair — she added sequins. We worked together to design a costume based on my original Duncan attire. It was important that I could dance in it — because, as you know, not all fashion pieces are made for movement!

I needed the freedom to move and breathe, to lift my arms overhead, kick my legs, and more. I asked her to raise the side slits higher so I could bring my leg up to the side freely. Later, working with her in collaboration for dance with my company, she transformed the model costume into tunics with ruffles and polka-dot patterns. It was a real treat to collaborate further. In fact, the costume influenced her choreography — and perhaps even her fashion season the following year.

We have yet to create a piece where I choreograph directly to her designs — but I look forward to it!

What unique challenges did staging this work on a fashion runway present?

The production was a big affair — over 250 attendees. The main challenge was the runway itself — an enormous cement stretch, maybe 80 feet long!

I had to create a dramatic beginning where the lights were set, then charge my way through this massive space with the audience seated on either side. During rehearsal, I was constantly reminded to reach the media center at the end — that’s where all the photo and video crews were set up. That forced me to creatively find new ways to make that final destination powerful.

The audience was lively — hooting and hollering, filming with their phones. It was a thrill, but also a challenge. I left completely exhausted.

Thank you, Lori!

C. M. Rubin and Lori Belilove

Don’t miss Lori Belilove in The Revolutionary, now streaming on the Planet Classroom Network. This film is curated by Planet Classroom.