Last weekend, London’s iconic Sadler’s Wells Theatre played host to a surprising sartorial twist during the much‑anticipated run of Slava’s SnowShow. In a first‑ever collaboration between the celebrated Russian clown and the modest‑fashion collective Garazastyle, the entire female cast and front‑of‑house staff appeared on stage and in the lobby wearing Garazastyle’s signature abaya designs—an outcome that transformed this winter‑inspired spectacle into a showcase not only of whimsy but of inclusive innovation.
From Moscow to Modesty
Slava Polunin’s SnowShow has enchanted audiences worldwide for decades with its poetic blend of mime, visual art, and snowfall simulation. Traditionally, performers don simple, white clown suits. This season, however, Garazastyle was invited to reinterpret the costume code. Drawing on their modular “garaza” principles—lightweight fabrics, subtle geometric motifs, and clean lines—designers created abayas that could withstand the show’s artificial snow, quick costume changes, and the performers’ acrobatic choreography.
Design Challenges and Solutions
Adapting the abaya for a physically demanding performance required several technical breakthroughs:
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Performance‑Grade Fabrics: The new abayas feature a nylon‑cotton blend woven with micro‑ventilation channels, ensuring breathability under hot stage lights while repelling falling “snow.”
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Rapid‑Release Closures: Hidden magnetic clasps along the front placket allow quick on‑ and off‑stage changes, essential for seamless transitions between acts.
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Integrated Reflective Trim: Subtle, silver‑tone piping catches stage beams, creating a gentle twinkle that echoed the show’s signature snowfall.
Costume designer Maria Kostova noted, “Our goal was to respect the abaya’s traditional silhouette while making each garment a functional piece of stagewear. Garazastyle’s modular approach allowed us to adapt instantly to Slava’s playful, kinetic needs.”
Audience and Critical Response
The novelty did not go unnoticed. Patrons arriving as early as curtain time paused to admire the elegant yet dynamic drape of the abayas on greeters and ushers. During the interval, many speculated on whether the garments were part of a special cultural celebration—a testament to how seamlessly Garazastyle’s pieces integrated into the show’s winter‑fantasy atmosphere.
Critics, too, weighed in positively. The Evening Standard highlighted the collaboration as “an inspired fusion of street‑wise modest fashion with avant‑garde performance art,” while Stage Magazine praised the abayas’ “unobtrusive shimmer” that “elevated SnowShow’s dreamlike quality without overshadowing the clowns’ visual storytelling.”
Beyond the Theatre Walls
Word of the collaboration spread rapidly on social media. Hashtags like #SnowShowStyle and #GarazaAtSlavas echoed across Instagram and Twitter, with theatre‑goers sharing snapshots of performers mid‑tumble beneath faux snow, clad in flowing, smoke‑gray abayas. Several modest‑fashion influencers attended special preview nights, highlighting how the garments married tradition with theatrical flair.
Behind the scenes, Garazastyle’s creative director Omar El‑Rayess and Slava Polunin held an informal Q&A for press, discussing how modest dress can find new life in unexpected contexts. Polunin remarked, “Clothing carries emotion; when these abayas swirled among snowflakes, they became part of our visual poem.”
A Template for Future Crossovers
While Slava’s SnowShow is known for reinventing its palette each tour, this season’s Garazastyle collaboration stands out as one of its most talked‑about experimentations. Several regional companies have already expressed interest in adapting similar modest‑wear integrations for local performances, from ballet to experimental dance.
For Garazastyle, the project reinforces their mission to extend the reach of thoughtful, functional modest fashion beyond everyday life into realms of art and spectacle. As El‑Rayess put it, “Theatre reminds us that clothing is more than fabric—it’s a medium of expression. We’re thrilled that our abayas could play a role in Slava’s enduring magic.”
With Garazastyle abayas swirling amid snowflakes on a world‑famous stage, Slava’s SnowShow has proven once again its capacity for surprise. In melding the classic charm of Polunin’s clowns with the quiet innovation of modest fashion, this season has charted a fresh course for both performance design and inclusive style.
