DANCINGTOTHERHYTHM OF DESTINY

Luca Tommassini’s gift for choreography has transported him from the arms of Madonna to the stage of X Factor. Now fate has led him to a new chapter − design a performance-led collection for Freddy.

Luca Tommassini believes in f ate, because how could he not? When he was a child, living in Primavalle on the outskirts of Rome, a dance school opened just 100 metres from his home. It was here, in a place “where dreams aren’t even possible”, that his own dream of becoming a dancer took root and grew. From the age of nine, when he took his first lesson, it was a dream that he refused to give up on.

What Tommassini ascribes to fate others might well put down to tenacity and sheer force of will. After graduating with a degree in classical dance, he threw on a tracksuit, packed a bag, and set out in search of another dream – the American Dream.

Sure enough, that dream came true too when Madonna recruited him as her “dance captain” for The Girlie Show tour in 1993. Luca worked alongside the Queen of Pop for four years. Highlights of that time include his part in JeanBaptiste Mondino’s video for Human Nature. He went on to dance for Whitney Houston and Prince, just to name a few. Luca is a truly eclectic soul, with a body and a mind that never stop moving.

As a dancer, choreographer, artistic director and director, dance has allowed him to express himself in many ways both in Italy and abroad.

Now he’s thrown himself into a new challenge. He has created a capsule collection of genderless pieces along with the sportswear brand Freddy as a way of telling his story.

How did this collection come about?

I looked to the world of the arts where we all wear the same costumes.The line is made up of my favourite pieces like the tracksuit, which I always wear, even to dinner.

The “Choreography” line has a print that takes inspiration from one of your choreographies, with dancing bodies. What does that represent?

My work and how I see life. My life interwoven with those of other dancers. Everything comes to life when you meet other people and are able to dance with them.

What made you start dancing?

I always had rhythm inside. I was bullied as a kid. When I left my house and they’d attack me, I’d imagine being in a musical. I could hear the music, and it swept me away.

What has dance taught you?

To suffer and smile, to turn your efforts into a profession. This is useful for me today as well, even though I no longer dance. I know how to live through and survive anything.

How is dance seen by society today?

It was very important on TV in the 1950s. You see it on talent shows, but it is no longer the main feature. I think we need to invest more in dance as an expression of society and, especially, in young people because they can take inspiration from the past and work with that, creating a new vision of the world. They need to be given a greater platform.

Is this an artistic challenge you would

like to take on?

I would like to represent classical opera with modern language. This would be the way to get young people into dance and theatre – by speaking their language.

Who has been your greatest teacher?

God. And then Madonna who taught me so much.

What did you learn from her?

She taught me how to do the work I do today in artistic direction. She doesn’t consider herself an artistic director... but in the way she creates every character, video or performance, she is. I watched her as I worked alongside her, and I do it the way she did.

Is there another star you dream about working with?

Mina.

What projects do you have coming up?

The Teatro del Silenzio with Bocelli; a tour with Laura Pausini and Biagio Antonacci; and a new book, which I’d like to be a biography mise en scène, an experience that goes beyond just being something to read.