Capezio honors Martha Graham Dance Company with launch of commemorative dancewear collaboration
Our take
The recent launch of a commemorative dancewear collaboration honoring the Martha Graham Dance Company by Capezio is an important milestone not only for the company but also for the broader landscape of contemporary dance. This collaboration coincides with the company’s 100th Anniversary Gala and the receipt of the 2026 Capezio Dance Award, a recognition that underscores the impactful legacy of Martha Graham, who revolutionized modern dance. As we reflect on this significant moment, it’s essential to understand why such accolades and collaborations matter in the world of dance and beyond.
The Martha Graham Dance Company has long been a beacon of creativity and innovation, shaping the modern dance vocabulary since its inception in 1926. By receiving the Capezio Dance Award, the company joins an elite group of individuals and organizations that have made substantial contributions to American dance. This honor not only celebrates Graham's pioneering spirit but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for innovation in the arts. It is a call to action for current and future dancers to embrace their creativity and push the boundaries of what is possible in dance. This is especially relevant in today’s fast-paced world, where creativity can often take a backseat to commercialism.
The collaboration between Capezio and the Martha Graham Dance Company also speaks to the importance of fashion and identity within the dance community. Dancewear is not merely functional; it is a medium of expression that allows dancers to embody their artistry and individuality. The new line of dancewear will likely reflect the unique aesthetic and philosophy of Graham’s work, emphasizing the emotional and physical connection that dance evokes. This element of personal expression is echoed in other recent articles, such as Dance takes center stage in Lincoln Center’s ‘Summer for the City’ that showcases how dance can foster community and belonging through shared experiences.
Furthermore, the intersection of dance and fashion is increasingly relevant as we witness a cultural shift towards body positivity and self-acceptance. In a world that often imposes unrealistic standards of beauty, the dance community has an opportunity to promote messages of inclusivity and empowerment. By highlighting the achievements of the Martha Graham Dance Company and its contributions to modern dance, we encourage dancers of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds to embrace their unique bodies and express themselves freely. This aligns with the sentiments shared in articles like Book review: Gavin Larsen and Gene Schiavone’s ‘Infinite Steps: Thirty-three Dancers and Their Lives in Ballet’, which emphasizes the stories and journeys of individual dancers, reinforcing the idea that every body has a place in the world of dance.
Looking ahead, one must consider how collaborations like this can influence the future of dance. Will we see more partnerships that celebrate diversity and creativity? How will the dancewear industry evolve to meet the needs of a broader range of dancers? As we celebrate the legacy of the Martha Graham Dance Company and the recognition it receives, it is crucial to keep these questions in our minds. The dance world is constantly evolving, and with each new collaboration, we have the opportunity not only to honor the past but also to inspire future generations to move, create, and express themselves authentically.
The Martha Graham Dance Company, one of the most influential forces in the history of modern dance, was honored with the 2026 Capezio Dance Award at the company’s 100th Anniversary Gala at the New York Public Library on April 17.
First awarded in 1952, the Capezio Dance Award recognizes significant contributions to American dance by an individual, company, or institution. It is awarded to those who bring respect, stature, and distinction to dance and who exhibit qualities such as innovation, creativity, and imagination.
Founded in 1926 by pioneering choreographer Martha Graham, who was honored with the Capezio Dance Award in 1960, the Martha Graham Dance Company has shaped the foundation of contemporary movement vocabulary and continues to inspire generations of dancers, choreographers, and artists across disciplines. The Capezio Dance Award recognizes the company’s extraordinary contributions to the evolution of dance and its enduring artistic impact worldwide.
For 100 years, the Martha Graham Dance Company has stood at the forefront of artistic expression, redefining the boundaries of physical storytelling and emotional truth in performance. Graham’s revolutionary technique transformed modern dance into a powerful language of human experience. Today, the company remains a living archive of her vision, preserving and expanding her legacy through performance, education, and global collaboration.
In conjunction with the centennial celebration, Capezio has partnered with the Martha Graham Dance Company to create a commemorative dancewear collection that Capezio will launch in fall 2026. The Salvatore Capezio x Martha Graham collection draws inspiration from the expressive power and sculptural movement of Graham’s work, translating her aesthetic into contemporary dancewear and studio to street pieces designed for performance, training, and modern movement exploration. Rooted in Capezio’s nearly 140-year history and founder Salvatore Capezio’s focus on craftsmanship and innovation, the collaboration bridges heritage and modernity, honoring the past while supporting dancers of today.
“For Martha Graham, the costume is an extension of the body’s inner landscape,” said Janet Eilber, Artistic Director of the Martha Graham Dance Company. “It shapes a silhouette, heightens a gesture, and reveals the body’s emotional architecture. This collaboration between the Martha Graham Dance Company and Capezio is rooted in a shared understanding of the dancer’s body as a site of expression, design, and transformation. For the last hundred years, Martha’s technique and costuming philosophy have centered on the relationship between fabric and form, making this partnership with Capezio’s enduring legacy of creating for dancers especially meaningful.”
“As the Martha Graham Dance Company celebrates its 100th year, this dual recognition — the Capezio Dance Award and the Salvatore Capezio x Martha Graham collection — marks a milestone moment in the world of dance and design,” said Joyce Schnoedl, Chairman of the Board of Capezio and a lifelong dancer herself. “The award recognizes not only the dance company’s history, but the living, evolving spirit of Martha Graham’s vision. The new Capezio collection will bring the iconic fashion of Martha Graham to dancers everywhere, in the studio, on stage, and on the street. We are honored to partner with the dancers of Martha Graham to bring this collection to life.”
Imagery and video of the collection featuring Martha Graham dancers Lloyd Knight, Xin Ying, Leslie Andrea Williams and Anne Souder can be found at www.capezio.com/marthagraham.
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