Lost and Found is a layered (literally and figuratively), interdisciplinary evening length performance taking place on October 5-6, 2024 at the Boston Figurative Art Center and The New Art Center. In their second dance-fashion collaboration, choreographer Eliza Malecki and stylist Mary O’Keefe have come together to create and produce a dance fashion show featuring professional dancers and models wearing entirely secondhand clothing that celebrates the personal histories attached to our clothing and examines the complex emotions wrapped up in the act of getting dressed in the morning.

While deciding on clothing partners, the most important factor was ensuring that we could dress bodies of all sizes and shapes. Found Boston provided all that we needed through their vintage vendors. While pulling outfits, we found a particularly large collection of 90s and Y2K pieces, giving the runway a fun, cheeky, and nostalgic storyline.

In examining the concepts of thrift and lineage, we acknowledge the power of sustainability, personal memory, and the profound impact that clothing can have on our sense of self. The clothing is styled to be a wearable fantasy. All performers are dressed to impress, but their outfits are ready to wear out in the streets of Boston. Each model is styled in different characters, exploring a range of styles and storylines. Our hope is that every audience member can see themselves on stage at least once, and be inspired to go home and try out new combinations.

All pieces from Found Boston will be available within a week of the show to purchase in their store in Cambridge (5 Columbia Street).

Lost and Found will feature dancers Erica Codd, Katrina Conte, Jillian McLaughlin, Rajita Menon, Simon Montalvo, Sarah Pacheco, and Meredith Price and models Arlette Dervil, Merline Fleur, Alicia Lin, Crystal Njoroge, Jeannette Rosario, Sarah Shattuck, and Emma Titus

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Somerville Arts Council and the Newton Cultural Council, local agencies supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.