New York City: Batsheva Hay, renowned designer, showcases her creative growth with a flagship store in Nolita and a focus on avant-garde fashion. Collaborating with Lori Belilove of the Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation, Hay merges fashion and dance, encouraging a newfound sense of freedom and expressiveness in her designs.
Batsheva Hay, the designer behind the namesake fashion brand, has undergone a significant creative evolution over the past year. This transformation culminated in the opening of her flagship store in the Nolita neighbourhood of New York City, which has since served as a hub for her fashion and artistic endeavours. In particular, her fall 2024 show, staged outside the boutique, featured a diverse group of models, many of whom were cast from the streets, marking a departure from traditional casting practices in the fashion industry.
A notable figure in the line-up was Lori Belilove, the founder and artistic director of the Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation & Company. The two women established a friendship that has influenced Hay’s recent work. For her fall 2025 presentation, Hay invited her guests to experience a unique performance by Belilove’s dancers, who donned pieces from Hay’s latest collection.
Hay discussed her growing understanding of Isadora Duncan and her artistic philosophy, highlighting how Duncan was seen as a disruptor in her time. “As I’ve gotten to know Lori better, I’ve also learned more about Isadora and how she was a real disruptor,” Hay said. “It was a time when everything was constricted and tight, and she wore loose clothing and was free and sensual. It spoke to me because I started my brand through an obsession with Victorian dressing, and now I’m drawn to a looser way of dressing and moving in the world personally.”
The collaboration with Belilove and her dancers led Hay to focus on creating a rectangular tunic, a preferred shape for dance performance. The tunic was made in a selection of fabrics including shiny jacquards, semi-sheer chiffons, and slinky crepes, with an emphasis on ease of movement and visual drama. Noteworthy designs included a silver dress combining crinkly velvet and holographic fabric, and a 1950s-style dress featuring a monumental bow and built-in cape. Hay’s garments were noted for their ability to enhance the choreography and overall aesthetic of the performance.
In addition to her avant-garde creations, Hay has also designed more practical pieces such as a poplin shirt and skirt set aimed at mainstream consumers and wholesale buyers. However, recent trends suggest that Hay is increasingly inspired by and enthusiastic about the unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that she produces and sells directly from her store.
Source: Noah Wire Services
