WHY THE COSTUME IS NOT RATED

We've excluded the dancewear from the rating criteria. Here are the reasons for this deliberate choice.

*. The costume enhances the movement; it's a kind of “make-up” for the dancer.

In most solo competitions, the costume is graded, and counts towards the prize.

Heiva Digital aims to be a dance-only challenge. We think that the costume does not make the dancer.

In the Heiva Digital challenge, we believe that the costume should be limited to its basic role: it's the dancer's clothing.

For soloists, the head piece is the main part of the costume. The current trend is for oversized headdresses.

We've all been dancers before, and we know just how much an oversized headdress can restrict movement.

Reminder: for the best soloist competition at Heiva I Tahiti, and at the 'Ori Tahiti Nui competitions, certain fabrics are forbidden, as are hip ornaments for girls. This is to enable the jury to better assess the quality of the movement.

**. Costumes can be very expensive. This introduces an inequality between those of modest means and those who can afford to pay the best costume designers.

We want everyone to be equal in front of the dance, and in front of the jury.

We recommend a simple costume in which you feel comfortable. Your movement shouldn't be compromised by the size of the head piece. An exceptional headpiece won't give you extra points.

Nevertheless, you're free to dance with the headdress of your choice: sophisticated or simple crown, you'll still be beautiful in your dance.

SIMPLICITY

Of course, when it's part of a show production, things are different: dance and costume are one.

The costume has all its place, all its importance, because it's a visual show.