At home with ballet dancer Rhys Kosakowski
We are delighted to share our latest collaboration with incredibly talented ballet dancer Rhys Kosakowski.
Exclusive images and a short film by Zeb Daemen.
Who are you and what is your profession?
Well… My name is Rhys Kosakowski, and I'm a professional dancer with the Sydney Dance Company and former Ballet Dancer with The Houston Ballet Company. I am a fiery, creative and forward thinking person always looking to push myself artistically and physically. I have been merging my dance career with the fashion industry for about 5 years now and love the way movement and fashion go hand in hand. Its a beautiful thing to see all Artistic Art forms come together to make even more diverse and interesting ART.
How do you think Covid-19 will affect the fashion industry both long-term and short-term? How do you see the impact of Corona crisis on the general perception of fashion? Do you believe everything will just go back to normal after Covid-19, or how do you see it will be?
I don't know too much about the entire Fashion Industry but I know that it has struggled through this time with getting materials from overseas, struggling to promote labels with out being able to shoot clothes on models and have new campaigns out and just the overall loss of money most brands are facing. Knowing how fast the world moves I'm pretty certain things will go back to normal in 6 months or so but you never know. People will always love fashion, because everyone desires to look good and fantasize's about luxury products.
How do you spend your Quarantine time and are you still able to create while being quarantined?
I consider myself very lucky to be an artist because it means i can stay creative no matter where I am stuck in isolation… Lately to keep myself happy and motivated I've been doing repertoire memory and ballet class every morning with my Company and occasional yoga and stretching classes to maintain my body. Working out in the sun on my rooftop has been extra special because I've just moved into my new apartment and I have never had a rooftop before so very exciting. Also been doing things like potting plants, making macrame planters, drawing, cooking and self care.
What is in your planning or was in your planning for this year and how will Covid-19 effect that?
It is my first season with The Sydney Dance Company and we had about 19 tours planned this year, Nationally and Internationally. The Government has said Performances of all kinds will not take place for another 4 months. We are all hoping that we can get on stage soon after September.
What is your daily beauty routine like? And what beauty products you cannot go without?
Water and Avocados are definitely my number one beauty products, but lets talk about face products as well because i love self care especially when its to do with my skin. I cleanse my face with Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash and tone straight after with Ursa Major Face Tonic. Then to hydrate i use Savant Apothecary Face Lotion. These three products i have been using for two years and could not live with out.
What is the coolest new thing you have learnt since being quarantined and how did you learn it?
When i was a young kid i used to draw and sketch a lot, but haven't picked up a pencil and paper in about 10 years. My sister is an amazing artist and draws beautiful sketches of fairies and creatures covered in plants and flowers. I got inspired and started draw again during isolation and realized…. i still got it! I have fascination and love for plants so I've been enjoying sketching them on paper and taking the time to imagine what plants might look like in another world.
How old were you when you first started dancing ballet and what made you start?
My Mum put me into tap lessons when i was 4 and got obsessed with performing. So when i turned 9 I started Jazz and Ballet. My first professional job as a dancer was when i landed the role of Billy Elliot in Billy Elliot the Musical when i was 12 years old.
Describe to me your favourite thing about dancing. How does it make you feel when you dance?
Its a really out of this world, euphoric sort of feeling. No one can really describe it unless they experience it. The way my body feels when I'm dancing is like small vibrations or electricity connecting and moving and feeling at one with the music I'm dancing to. Its so beautiful and very addictive, clearly very addictive as i haven't been able to stop dancing for years. The feeling i just described and being able to portray music through my body would be my favorite thing about dancing.
What is your favorite painting and has it inspired you for any of your work thus far?
Would have to be Salvador Dali ' DREAM CAUSED BY THE FLIGHT OF A BEE AROUND A POMEGRANATE A SECOND BEFORE AWAKENING'
Its my favourite because of the way his mind wanders to other places, its definitely fictional to us but makes you think twice about what could be out there in other dimensions or other planets in the universe we have not yet discovered. This keeps me inspired because it reminds me there is always something new to discover and create.
You can follow Rhys on instagram: @rhyskosakowski
Timotej Letonja
