Keeping Every Body in Mind

Body types of performers in Cirque du Soleil vary greatly depending on role and performance type. Those in aerial acrobatics differ from ground acrobatics, for example, in that the former might be shorter in height, but have very defined shoulders, while the latter might use their lower body more, putting more strain on their legs and ankles.

Gymnasts, typically, are smaller in height than many other athletic professions. Smaller gymnasts have greater potential for performing skills involving whole-body rotations, while larger gymnasts can produce more power and greater angular momentum. Cirque du Soleil costume designers must take a variety of these physical factors into account when preparing to outfit a performer for a production. Chief among these factors are height and weight, as well as skin tone.

During the fitting process, each performer wears a maillot, similar to what a professional cyclist might wear, which fits skin-tight; costume designers then take extensive, body-wide measurements to track performer’s weight and height over time, through the duration of shows. These measurements are all documented on a measurement sheet, which includes metrics such as: length of the front neck, breast expansion, crotch depth while sitting, armpit to wrist, and total arm length.

This allows costume designers to consistently design costumes again and again, without having to take measurements repeatedly. Typically, performers will have two costumes, one for each of the two performances that resident shows, for example, have per day.

Skin tone swatches are also utilized to ensure consistency between costume fabric and performer skin tone. These may need to be adjusted if a performer becomes more tan or pale over time. Each swatch has its own ID number and color-coded tag denoting which show it belongs to.