STAMFORD, Conn.—A theatrical phenomenon is influencing today’s art and fashion world: Shen Yun Performing Arts, whose unique roots stem from ancient China’s divine culture.

Interior designer and former ballerina Nina Babay gleaned new artistic ideas after watching a performance by the New York-based classical Chinese dance company, which she attended with her mother, Nancy Popehall, in Stamford, Conn., on Dec. 26, 2019.

“The colors were inspiring. The colors of the costumes were very complementary which I understood in the color palette. It was amazing just for fashion. I think you could use those colors in decor as well as in fashion, even for now. I normally wouldn’t lean towards the bright colors, but I have to say, I love the ombré, the gradation of the colors, it was just beautiful,” Babay said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7T5ZhDTINDs

Shen Yun’s costumes adorn classical Chinese dancers who use their art form to tell stories of hope, virtue, and faith, both ancient and modern. Shen Yun’s bel canto singers and solo instrumentalists also wear handmade attire designed with China’s 5,000 years of divinely-inspired culture in mind.

But Babay was struck by more than Shen Yun’s colorful costumes and backdrops.

“I enjoyed the music very much. It’s very artistic, very well done. Very professional. Excellent, very graceful.”

“I was astounded by the control of their bodies. I do appreciate all the choreography, it was just really well done,” Babay said.

Babay and her mother resonated with this aspect of the show.

“We’re Christians so, I think I can identify with the idea of the Creator, very similar in that regard. I agree with the thought of the Creator. So many of us unfortunately in the world today have strayed from the idea that there is an ultimate Creator,” Babay said.

Eric Trolio said his life has been changed after seeing Shen Yun Performing Arts at The Palace Theater in Stamford, Connecticut. Trolio is a director in the marine shipping industry out of the United States and had plenty of high praise for the show.

“[Shen Yun] is the most amazing ... it was beautiful, all the choreography—beautiful. The costumes are beautiful, everything was beautiful, everything was amazing,” Trolio said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7fBIUk5ffM

“I felt like I was in the 1600s enjoying the heritage of Asia and maybe kind of like what they went through back in the day—it is not what it is today. Enriching!”

“Fantastic, fantastic. I would give it five stars. Fantastic.”

“It was definitely different to see something of that quality ... to see something from [the Chinese] nationality. It’s amazing.”