Squad Goals: Behind the scenes with the Kaleidoscope Girl Gang

Our latest youth activewear collection just dropped and we're #obsessed! A striking rainbow colour palette contrasted with sleek black makes Kaleidoscope versatile, stylish, and most of all fun. We're all about girl power right now, so we couldn't wait to shoot this vibrant collection on three strong, confident dancers who sum up what your dance life is really all about: doing what you love with your besties. Meet Ella, Tess and Paris, the three real-life best friends who make up our Kaleidoscope Girl Gang.

The Kaleidoscope Collection campaign really evolved from the geometric, technicolour print. Energetiks Graphic Designer Thalia Carter sought inspiration in dance parties, music festivals, lasers, and abstract art. "I wanted to create a print that really celebrates the boundless energy of our dance-obsessed customers," she says. "Kaleidoscope is electric, vivacious, full of life and an instant cure for a bad mood or lack of motivation. I hope Kaleidoscope will inspire dancers to show up to rehearsal and give it their all." The Kaleidoscope print, like so many of our recent collections, started out as a digital artwork, so shooting garments on real dancers after a long pre-production process is always a special moment for the Energetiks team. "Receiving the production samples is really exciting," says Thalia, "because the artwork has evolved from my computer screen, to a length of fabric, to a real product that is useful, beautiful and unique. Finally seeing it on the audience I’ve designed it for and their reaction is also a great feeling. Ella, Paris and Tess were the perfect dancers for this collection, they looked amazing and they’re all best friends in real life so they were heaps of fun together on set."

We typically shoot our collections in dance studios or sometimes on location (like our recent Paradise Collection photoshoot in Perth), but the Kaleidoscope shoot needed something special. Enter a 12 metre, 14 seater, Jeep Grand Cherokee stretch limousine. When the limo arrived at Energetiks HQ, we weren't even sure it would fit in the car park! Thankfully, the driver was a rockstar, so it was time to roll out the red carpet, turn up the music, and try on some brand new looks.

Tess wears the Rose Crop and Aria Legging, Ella wears the Chanel Crop and Aria Legging, Paris wears the Serena Crop and Billie Legging

Paris wears the Serena Crop and Billie Legging

The close bond between the three girls meant that the set was full of smiles and laughter all day. "I really enjoyed the limo photos and the drive to a different location," Paris says. "I felt like a rock star for the day! Being with Ella and Tess who are my best friends at dancing also made it a highlight." All three girls looked amazing in every look, but some pieces in the collection (particularly the brand new designs) were an obvious hit.

“My favourite piece is the Serena crop top because the style is different to anything else I’ve seen. I love the way the back of the top is designed and it’s really comfy to wear.”

— Paris

The Serena Crop top (pictured left) has not featured in any previous Energetiks Collections, and with a high, 90s style neckline, and wide sports-luxe straps at the back, it's no surprise that Paris is such a fan.

Tess also loved the Serena Crop, but there was another garment on the day that caught her eye (and she looked absolutely amazing in it), featuring a fun placement print on the front. She rocked the Rose Crop layered over some of her outfits as well as tied around her waist (pictured left).

“I love the Rose Crop t-shirt because it has one of my favourite quotes ‘No Standing Only Dancing’!”

— Tess

For Tess, shooting a collection campaign was a new experience, so it was really special that she was able to share it with Ella and Paris. "I got to spend the whole day with two of my best friends," she explains, "and I was doing something I love (dancing), but at the same time it was something I have never really done before."

Ella wears the Chanel Crop and Aria Legging

Ella has worked with us before of course - you'll remember her as our 2017 VDF Ambassador, and face of our Oriental Bloom campaign. Telling Tess and Paris about the Kaleidoscope campaign was an exciting moment for her. "My favourite part of the shoot was actually before the day!" she says. "When the Energetiks team asked if I had any friends that would like to join me on the shoot I knew straight away Tess and Paris would be perfect. I remember telling them, we were all so excited." Ella loved the Aria leggings, another brand new design, which are available with Kaleidoscope print detailing and also with on-trend Sports Mesh panels (pictured left).

“My favourite piece is definitely the Aria leggings. They are so comfy and I love the mesh detail and they go with all my other favourite Energetiks crops as well. ”

— Ella

Whilst the outfits definitely looked amazing, and the limousine was an exciting addition to the day, for the Energetiks team our favourite part of this colourful campaign was seeing the bond between the three girls as they ate lollies and giggled together on set. We all know that your dance friends are friends for life, so seeing that in action is really what this collection is all about.

If you and your besties are rocking the Kaleidoscope collection to dance class, we would love to see your pics! Tag us @energetiks on Instagram so we can see you and your girl gang in your favourite looks.

To shop the full collection, click here.

To view the lookbook, click here.

Article by Emily Newton-Smith

Photographs by Elly Ford