PARACHUTESAWAY: January 2011

Ebony II, Carleton’s largest student-run dance troupe attracts dancers of all calibers, ability, and skill. While Ebony is known to have a variety of talents, it is also universally known for its sass, booty shaking, and the fact that the audience gets larger and larger with each consecutive term. Whether it be the dancers or the dances that keep attracting the herd, ebony costumes, without fail, are always one of the most highly anticipated aspects of the night. “Ebony fashion is ideal,” explains Hannah Jensen, one of the four Ebony II directors. “It’s empowering. It’s sexy, it’s anything in which you can shake your booty.” And while Ebony fashion is all these components, it’s also so much more. “It’s (ho)aute couture,” explains John Cossette, co-Ebony director. “It’s sex,” laughs Morgan Holmes, the third of the tenacious trio. “No but really, it’s bold. It’s sparkly, it’s ‘80s fashion.” It is uniquely Ebony, and in an essence, uniquely Carleton. “Ebony fashion has always been absurd. But it’s gotten better since we’ve been directors,” jokes Jensen. “Oh, and the Mandance has gotten way sluttier,” interjects Cossette. And so, if you’re going tonight to cheer on your friends ridin’ solo, making the rain fall or whipping their hair, don’t forget to look out for the neon spandex, glitter and gold stars in the midst of all their sass. Here is a sneak peak of Ebony’s winter term fashion:

Chelseau Lau

Q: Describe your dance's target look and how costumes have helped shape it.

A: I guess sincere best describes it; the dance is a little angry, a little hopeful, a little bitter. I decided to go with all black costumes for a simple, unified look; the color was chosen mostly because everyone seems to own something black. The costumes aren't important, the dancers are.

Q: If your dance's costume were a food, what would it be?

A: I suppose if the dance's costume had to be a food, it would be dark chocolate covered espresso beans. Possibly just because I'm craving some right now.

Q: Please describe Ebony fashion in three words:

A: ludicrous, idiosyncratic, scintillating.

Morgan B. Holmes and Will Connelly's Dance

Q: Describe your dance's target look and how costumes have helped shape it.

A: Our look is "galactic glam and glow." The glam comes from the exhilaration of Arcade Fire and Ke$ha. The glow comes from our celestial bodies. Our costumes are kind of a secret, but we're willing to divulge that the universe is involved.

Q: If your dance's costume were a food, what would it be?

A: Air Head's Candy, mystery flavor. You think you know. But you don't.

Q: Please describe Ebony fashion in three words:

A: Eye-catching, Resourceful, Cheeky.

Iyamide Olukoshi

Q: Describe your dance's target look and how costumes have helped shape it.

A: The target look was very fun/toy-like for the first dance/song. The girls are wearing little colorful jackets, and all black underneath. The "guys" are wearing wife beaters and jeans. Then for the second half our dance/song, given that it's not exactly cheerful, we will have the girls dress in all black and the "guys" will have the same costume...they're meant to be somewhat abusive.

Q: If your dance's costume were a food, what would it be?

A: does candy count? It's playful and fun, but it's not always good for you, which describes the mix of songs that we did.

Q: Please describe Ebony fashion in three words:

A: FUN! EXCITING! PROVOCATIVE!

Karen Eash

Q: Describe your dance's target look and how costumes have helped shape it.

A: My dance is contemporary Jazz, and so we are going for a sleek, polished, and artsy look. We are wearing all black, specifically black pants and black T-shirts (no long sleeves), and no accessories.

Q: Please describe Ebony fashion in three words:

A: Ebony fashion is wild, bright, and sexy.

Adam Anderson

Q: Describe your dance's target look.

A: Old school street fashion.

Q: If your dance's costume were a food, what would it be?

A: Ballpark curly fries.

Q: Please describe Ebony fashion:

A: What you can't get away with on the day to day.

John Cossette

Q: Describe your dance's target look and how costumes have helped shape it.

A: A party at Willow Smith's house. I want people to tap into their inner 10-year-old megastar fashionistas. Bright, bold, and fierce! Oh, and of course, rockin' hair.

Q: If your dance's costume were a food, what would it be?

A: Tricolor cotton candy. Or rainbow sherbet, with rhinestones in it.

Q: Please describe Ebony fashion in three words.

A: Crazy Sexy Cool

Hannah Jensen

Q: Describe your dance's target look and how costumes have helped shape it.

A: My dance's target look is Justin Bieber and fans live the life. The costumes are CRUCIAL to this, as we must show the connections between his sartorial choices and our own. Obviously.

Q: If your dance's costume were a food, what would it be?

A: Cotton candy. Well, at least that’s for some reason the first thing I thought of…so yeah. We’re gonna say cotton candy. Preferably purple.

Q: Please describe Ebony fashion in three words.

A: Inspiring. Anti-winter. Sexayyyyyy.