LOS ANGELES—Beverly Hills fashion designer Shahla Dorriz and her son Alexandre Dorriz, who is fashion designer, fashion photographer, and creative director at his mother’s business Shahla Dorriz Haute Couture, came to see Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on March 22.

“I think it was fabulous,” said Ms. Dorriz. “I really enjoy it and every year is better than last year. I saw it last year, and this year before this show started my heart was beating. It’s unbelievable.”

Shen Yun Performing Arts has become an international phenomenon during the eight short years since the non-profit organization was formed in New York by a group of leading classical Chinese artists.

The company seeks to revive the true, divinely inspired culture of China through flawless classical Chinese dance with live orchestral accompaniment, musical soloists, ethereal costumes, and a unique interactive digital backdrop that complements the performance, according to the company’s website.

Shahla Dorriz studied fashion in Lausanne, Switzerland, in her teenage years and held her first fashion show in Paris. She also studied at the Los Angeles Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandise, has designed costumes for the series Entertainment Tonight and All My Children, and is well-known in Iran for designing clothes for Iranian music videos and concerts. She operates her own showroom and bridal shop in Beverly Hills.

Costume and Set Design

Shahla Dorriz said as a costume and fashion designer, she was very inspired by Shen Yun.

“This show is really inspiring for my career,” she said. “I like the costume design, I like the colors, and it’s really inspiring for me.”

Alexandre Dorriz loved the rich color palette used in the Shen Yun performance, and he especially loved the flowing silks and the movement of the dancers with the costumes.

“The silks are gorgeous,” he said. “The costuming was impeccable. It really was, and the usage of it was really beautiful. I love the way the dancers would incorporate the silks, for example, into these blooming hand gestures and make everything even more extravagant, push it to the limit by wrapping it into the hands and throwing it.”

Ms. Dorriz and her son also enjoyed Shen Yun’s vibrant digital backdrop, which interacted with the performers on stage, allowing them to appear to leap into or out of the background or perform extraordinary feats.

“That was amazing,” said Mr. Dorriz. “As a visual artist that was also beautiful as well. Using the media in the background, the projections and incorporating it, it was very whimsical and fun, and I really enjoyed it.”

Choreography and Music

Mr. Dorriz and his mother were very impressed by the dancers’ dedication and skill, how the artists were so synchronized together and how the dancers seemed to be floating through the air.

“It was beautiful,” said Mr. Dorriz “Compositionally, as a visual artist I was just so attracted by everything that the dancers would do in synchrony … between the dancers and the music, it’s just very moving. That amount of work ethic.”

“The dancers are amazing,” said Ms. Dorriz. “They are flying on the air—how could I not love it? I really loved it.”

Mr. Dorriz was fascinated by the virtuoso soloist who played the Chinese two-stringed instrument called the erhu.

“I was obsessed with that,” he said. “The range of that small instrument astounded me. I have never seen such beautiful range.”

“The show is really exciting, and you can’t wait to see what is next,” said Ms. Dorriz.

Spirituality

Mr. Dorriz said he also enjoyed the philosophical and spiritual aspects of Shen Yun, and Ms. Dorriz said the performance was very touching, with a heavenly feel.

“I love learning more about the Eastern philosophy … growing and learning and sitting,” said Mr. Dorriz. “Especially sitting [meditating].”

“It just makes me cry really,” said Ms. Dorriz. “I see the costumes, and it’s just amazing. It’s like you are in another world. It’s like I am flying and just for 3 hours, it’s very emotional as well. … It looks like you’re in heaven.”

Mr. and Ms. Dorriz recommended the show very highly and said they would be back next year.

“I’d highly suggest watching the show, and just learning and being,” said Mr. Dorriz. “I am excited to see what is in store for next year, because this is my first time being a part of it. I have been to the orchestra, Shen Yun Orchestra, but this is something else completely, and I am excited to see what’s in store next year.”

“Next year I would love to come back,” said Ms. Dorriz. “Every year I am going to watch Shen Yun because I am really in love with it … this is my favorite show at theater that is happening every year, and I recommend this to my friends and family all the time. Everyone should see this show.”

Reporting by Mandy Huang and Sarah Le

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit Shen Yun Performing Arts.

The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006