Behind the Costumes of Vista
The idea for our collaboration with Stephanie Lake Company began with a moment of unexpected connection.
After watching The Chronicles, Georgie Cleary, Co-Founder and Creative Director of ALPHA60, introduced herself to Stephanie and shared her admiration for the work. The timing felt almost serendipitous. Just one day earlier, Stephanie had been discussing a potential collaboration with ALPHA60.
That conversation became the beginning of our costume collaboration for VISTA, Stephanie Lake Company's latest contemporary dance work. Exploring movement, colour and perception, VISTA became an opportunity to create garments that respond to the body, the choreography and the energy of the stage.
Premiering at Melbourne's Malthouse Theatre before touring nationally, VISTA is a striking contemporary dance work presented in two acts. The performance opens in a world of monochromatic precision before transforming into an explosion of vivid colour, with the costumes evolving alongside the choreography.
Designed exclusively for the production, the costumes form an integral part of VISTA's visual language, complementing Stephanie Lake's choreography and Robin Fox's original score.
From the outset, our focus was to create costumes that felt effortless to wear. Every piece was designed for comfort and freedom of movement while incorporating the subtle details that define ALPHA60.
Contrasting piping on each trouser connects one dancer’s costume to another through colour, while customisable ties allow the tops to be worn in different ways, creating subtle shifts in silhouette and movement throughout the performance.
"It's the moment you feel you're clicking into performance mode. You go from rehearsing in oversized Adidas into the theatre. The costumes elevate everything."
— Stephanie Lake
VISTA National Tour
Melbourne
Malthouse Theatre
22 July – 1 August 2026
Sydney
Carriageworks
5 – 8 August 2026
Brisbane
Brisbane Powerhouse
19 – 22 August 2026
