On May 15 at 7 p.m., the Tonhain Kollektiv will present the final interlude of the current concert season: Spectacle, an interdisciplinary performance that combines chamber music, contemporary fashion design, and live discussion.
The program focuses on the visual culture of the women’s suffrage movements of the early 20th century in Great Britain and the United States. It explores how clothing functioned as a means of visibility, resistance, and identity within the broader struggles for political and social participation.
As part of Tonhain Kollektiv’s current concert season, Resist! – The Sound of Defiance, the evening combines musical works by pioneering female composers with original creations by New York fashion designer Jenny Lai, designed specifically for this performance. Each piece is followed by a brief discussion that explores the historical context of the music as well as the role of clothing as a means of personal expression and strategic communication. The musicians take on a dual role as performers and models, showcasing the garments during the concert.
The musical journey includes Amy Beach’s Romance for violin and piano, Op. 23, as well as her late Piano Trio, Op. 150, both of which highlight her multifaceted Romantic style and her pioneering role as one of America’s first successful female composers. Theresa Wong’s She Dances Naked under Palm Trees is a contemporary, moving solo piano work that challenges traditional boundaries. Lili Boulanger’s D’un soir triste for piano trio (1918) is a striking example of early 20th-century compositional ambition, written by the first woman to win the Prix de Rome for composition.
Don’t miss this special evening—only a few tickets remain!
Featuring:
Jenny Lai — Fashion Design
Benjamin Lai — Cello
Miriam Helms Ålien — Violin
Hanni Liang — Piano
About Jenny Lai:
Jenny Lai is a New York-based artist and fashion designer whose work explores the intersection of clothing with contemporary music, performance, and visual storytelling. Through her label NOT, she creates both ready-to-wear and custom performance garments for musicians, dancers, and interdisciplinary productions. Her collaborators include renowned musicians such as Claire Chase, Leila Josefowicz, and Davóne Tines, as well as companies including Shen Wei Dance Arts and Gallim. Her work has been presented internationally across performances, exhibitions, and fashion contexts.
www.notaligne.com
Jenny Lai at work behind the scenes
