Inspiration – Sights, Sounds & Silhouettes
When you browse our online store, you’ll notice that about one-third of our collection is distinguished by subtle Oriental styling.  We’ve gotten a lot of flattering feedback on these Eastern touches from our customers and friends (thank you all!), so I wanted to share where the inspiration comes from.
It’s Chinese classical dance–the sights, sounds and silhouettes that I grew up with. And what is Chinese classical dance? I don’t think I can do it enough justice by summarizing it in a sentence, but here’s a photo that provides a sampling.  Titled Moon Night, this is a dance that I performed in many, many years ago–at age 15. The set was sublimely beautiful, the music liltingly lyrical, and the steps expertly choreographed like a seamless wave. When I started sketching the designs for the first Om Republic collection, memories from my growing up years as a dance student naturally came flooding back. The result? Several styles that were inspired by the essence and fluidity Chinese classical dance.
p.s. … and in case you’re wondering, that’s me in the front row, leftmost, in a backbend.