In a room full of people, it’s usually pretty easy to spot the dancer. They are the person standing taller than all the rest: chin lifted, stomach sucked in, buttocks clenched. Ballerinas are trained to believe that their body exists between two panels of invisible glass that prevent their spine from ever bending. Thankfully, this makes it easy to spot MJ Harper — the dancer, choreographer and performance artist — who gracefully towers over everyone waiting in the reception of the Standard hotel. Of course, the five-inch leopard print wedges will help with that, too.
It is fair to say that Harper has always lived a life of movement, not only through dance but from country to country, too. From Jamaica to Florida, New York to London, the 35 year-old has spent the past eight years living in Berlin but has made a name for themself travelling the world as a highly sought-after movement director and performer. A muse and collaborator to major figureheads of British fashion, Harper has worked with the likes of Kim Jones, Tim Walker, Katy England and Grace Wales Bonner.
