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The Ukrainian Costume, the First One!

Les Sortilèges' first performance will take place in April 1967, in front of an audience of more than 2,000 people, assembled at the Centre Maisonneuve on the occasion of the Saint-Stanislas High School Gala. The dance repertoire is European: Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine and there is but one costume. Ukrainian boots had been ordered and made to measure by a Montreal bootmaker: they were the troupe's first acquisition in terms of accessories! The costumes had been made by the dancers' mothers, in the style of Ukrainian costumes. They were however adorned with binding rather than embroidery.

2

Les Sortilèges in Ukrainian Costume
1967
Les Sortilèges' Rehearsal Room, Saint-Stanislas High School,Montréal(Québec), Canada

Credits:
MBDC

3

Two Dancers in Ukrainian Costume
1967
Les Sortilèges' Rec Room, Saint-Stanislas High School, Montréal (Québec), Canada

Credits:
MBDC

4

Below the hem of the girls' flower-printed skirt peeks a petticoat edged in contrasting color. She is also wearing a white blouse, trimmed with colored binding; a small satin apron brings its touch of elegance. A headdress of flowers with long multicolored flowing ribbons, a red necklace and red boots complete the ensemble.
Her proud Ukrainian companion wears billowy pants and a white shirt with a red bow. The black boots are designed to make his acrobatics easier.

Excerpt from the manuscript Les Sortilèges: La passion de la danse, by Jimmy Di Genova

5

Two dancers in Ukrainian costume
1967
Saint-Stanislas High School, Montréal (Québec), Canada

Credits:
MBDC

6

Les Sortilèges in Ukrainian Costume at Expo 67
1967
International and Universal Exposition, Montréal(Québec), Canada

Credits:
MBDC

7

The First Canadian Costume

A historic event marks the year 1967 in Montreal, as it is playing host to the International and Universal Exposition.
The occasion will also mark Les Sortilèges' stage debut, while Les Feux Follets, our national folk dance ensemble, represents Canada. As Les Sortilèges add their first Canadian dances to their repertoire, a Canadian costume naturally becomes a necessary addition to the troupe's wardrobe.

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Les Sortilèges in front of the Québec Pavilion, Expo 67
1967
International and Universal Exposition, Montréal(Québec), Canada

Credits:
MBDC

9

Les Sortilèges Wearing their Sunday Costume at Expo 67 International Kiosk
1967
International and Universal Exposition, Montréal(Québec), Canada

Credits:
MBDC

10

Les Sortilèges' Canadian costume was the end result of a research into the Sunday dress worn in the Chicoutimi region in the 1850's. The young girl's costume consists in a dress of blue floral indienne and a lace headdress. The only fancy touch is a richly embroidered petticoat. To adorn their petticoats and following their ancestors' example, our girls learned the art of embroidery.
The young man dons pants of 'country cloth' and a blue jacket with gold buttons, the same buttons that used to make English-speaking Ontarians green with envy. They all proudly wear their garters and 'ceintures fléchées'.

Excerpt from the manuscript Les Sortilèges: La passion de la danse, by Jimmy Di Genova

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Les Sortilèges - Sunday Costume (1st version)
1969
Auberge le Vieux Saint-Gabriel, Montréal(Québec), Canada

Credits:
MBDC

12

Les Sortilèges' Female Sunday Costume (1st version)
19th Century Inspiration, circa 1850
Chicoutimi (Québec), Canada

Credits:
MBDC

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Petticoat from the Chicoutimi Costume (Women's Sunday Costume)
16 April 1974
Montréal (Québec), Canada

Credits:
MBDC
La Presse, Beauchamps, Yves, photographer

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Les Sortilèges' Sunday Costume (2nd version)
1978
Montréal (Québec), Canada

Credits:
MBDC