The Tamesis
Life is a cabaret, and Dodiee’s Fall 2026 show proved that a fashion show can be as dramatic as a variety show. The brand brings the new season collection’s emotional narrative shaped by memory, movement and identity to life through an intimate cabaret-style performance within the confines of the infamous city center The Box.
Founder and Creative Director Elisa Dahan says Fashion The collection was inspired by a recent trip to Paris, where she attended her first cabaret show. The seed was immediately sown: why not present her latest collection in this format? With moody, atmospheric storytelling and emotive performances as her starting point, Dahan draws inspiration from the cinematic glamor and expressive femininity of style icons of bygone eras, filtered through a deeply personal lens rooted in her family’s history. Especially the lasting influence of her late mother’s natural grace and quiet strength.
First, OG ’70s supermodel Pat Cleveland took to the stage in a sparkling outfit with tinsel wrapped around her elbows, singing the lyrics “Who wants to rock with Josephine tonight?” – an original song written for her and celebrating Josephine Baker. After the opening performance, a troupe of eight dancers modeled the new piece, styled by British Fashion Alum Dena Giannini. The seamlessly synchronized performance is set to technical versions of everything from Whitney Houston ballads to Dalida tangos; all personal favorites of the Korean mom. The Fosse-inspired choreography — which the dancers learned days before Monday’s performance — encapsulates the brand’s philosophy: that clothes are containers for emotions, memories and lived experiences.
The collection itself is centered around contrast, balancing softness and structure through sheer fabrics, lace and flowing fringe paired with supple leather, curly shearling and graphic polka dots. A moody, sophisticated palette of teal, fuchsia, black and subtle metallics enhances the sense of drama, with textures designed to change and respond to the dancer’s body as she “fashiones” to the music.
In between performances, guests including Martha Hunt, Candace Bushnell, Charlotte Groeneveld and Jacqueline Jablonski sipped on specialty cocktails such as Teal Muse (white tequila with blue curacao, lime juice and agave) and Berry Obsession (vodka with champagne and lemon juice). By the end of the night, Dodiee transformed a fashion presentation into a fully immersive experience that blurred the lines between performance and wearable art.
