Last night, despite the unmistakably muggy air and threats of flooding that our city is all too familiar with, New York City's chicest came together to celebrate the opening night of the Chanel-backed BAAND Together Dance Festival. The evening kicked off with a cocktail hour at Tatiana at Lincoln Center—an open, airy space with cloud-like light fixtures where champagne, hors d'oeuvres, and mini brownies were being passed around, and jello shots reminiscent of stained glass windows were up for grabs on the way out the door.

The room was filled with Chanel bags in every style imaginable—the classic flap bag in a mirage of colors, vintage pulls, and the highly coveted Chanel 25 bag. I took this as the perfect opportunity to pull out a black satin skirt with tulle trim that I thrifted in LA years ago that makes me feel as close to a ballerina as I'll ever be and 2010's Chanel bag that I inherited from my mother—both pieces felt perfectly appropriate.

Chanel has proudly supported the BAAND Together Dance Festival since its debut in 2021 and the collaboration makes complete and utter sense: Gabrielle Chanel valued flexibility in movement and this was present throughout all of her creations, and the house has modernly prioritized diversity—a core value of the BAAND Together Dance Festival. Running from July 28th through August 1st, the festival's programming featured five of NYC's most prestigious dance companies: American Ballet Theatre, Dance Theatre of Harlem, New York City Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and Ballet Hispánico New York.

Rosalie O'Connor

In Lincoln Center's Koch Theater, I sat front row as each company told stories through movement: some, paired with lyrical music (Diana Krall's cover of Joni Mitchell's "A Case Of You," in particular), nearly moved me to tears, while others energized me and evoked joy. Some wore pink and blue pastels, while others wore neutrals—I, of course, couldn't help but take note of this and consider how the pieces worn could be translated to everyday life.

Rosalie O'Connor

Some other personal highlights: Dance Theater of Harlem's time transcending performance to a cinematic score by Ryan Lott and Ballet Hispánico New York's homage Brazilian hair braiding, identity, and a sense of community that's so important to the culture.

From the glamorous act of dressing up to go to the ballet to the trends that we have to thank dancers for to endorsements by luxury houses like Chanel, dance and fashion are forever linked.