Artist Stories: Dancer Saskia Neuen

In this chapter of Artist Stories, we speak with dancer Saskia Neuen, who, alongside Chiara Schmiedel, translated our silhouettes into motion. While they both shared the space to embody our pieces, today’s conversation explores Saskia’s deeply personal internal landscape. Her reflections offer a beautiful look into the intersection of personal identity, intimate collaboration, and Nibi’s universe of slow fashion and handmade craftsmanship in Barcelona. Be sure to catch our next Artist Stories to read Chiara’s interview!

Origins: The Pull of Movement

When did movement first become part of your identity, was it a slow realization or an instant pull?

After creating my first solo, I began to realize that movement is an essential part of my identity. By analyzing my own movement vocabulary and flow, I came closer to understanding which movements truly embody me. This research remains ongoing, as movement identity is fluid and continuously evolving.

What does the act of dancing give you that nothing else in life can?

Freedom, feeling, expression, fulfillment, connection with myself, the environment and other people, bonding with others on a non-verbal level can be magical.

From Form to Feeling

How has your understanding of dance changed over time?

Over time, my understanding of dance has moved away from form and toward feeling. Movement is no longer defined by its shape, but by the inner connection it creates, with myself, my body, and the surrounding environment. Each movement carries a unique sensation, allowing for deep connection both internally and with others. The form is not essential; what matters is how the movement feels and how truthfully it lives within my body.

How do you stay present and grounded when performing?

I stay present while performing by not zoning out or closing myself off from the world, but by opening up and acknowledging my environment. I activate all my sensory channels and remain aware of what is happening around me. I often imagine my energy traveling down into the ground, feeling my feet rooted in the floor, while at the same time allowing energy to rise upward into the sky. This dual focus helps me stay grounded and present. I often think of a tree, grounded, open and alive.

What has dancing alongside Chiara taught you about yourself?

Dancing alongside Chiara taught me how differently my body can feel in relation to different people. Each person brings a distinct physical and emotional experience and is therefore unique. With Chiara, the experience is soft, calm, and warm. The movement flows with ease and carries a deep sense of safety. The connection feels intimate, close, and familiar.

Dancing in Nibi: A Second Skin

How did you become involved in the Nibi “Artist Stories” initiative, and what drew you to it?

I became involved through Chiara, who was living in Barcelona at the time and told me about the initiative. Collaborating with fashion design was new for me. When performing on stage, costumes are usually part of a larger whole, supporting the work rather than standing at its center. In this collaboration, however, the garments themselves became a direct source of inspiration. I truly saw and felt the clothes, their textures, movement and presence and allowed my movement to present and carry them.

How did the garments, their movement, their textures their feel, shape your choreography?

The garments felt light, free, and elegant, almost like a second skin. They allowed for ease and flow, which directly influenced the choreography. Because the clothes were variable and responsive in movement, this quality translated into how I moved as well. The choreography was inspired by how the garments shifted, flowed, and interacted with the body.

Was there a particular piece or movement that made you feel especially free or grounded?

The Frou Frou Cape made me feel especially free, as their movement enhanced a sense of lightness and flow. The Frou Frou Wristbands made me feel playful, and free encouraging a more exploratory and joyful quality in my movement.

On Creation and Connection

Outside of dance, what’s inspiring you lately, a book, a sound, a place, a feeling?

A book: the story of more.

I’ve been inspired by the idea that the world is deeply interconnected. I feel strongly that people should take responsibility for the earth and recognize that we are all part of the same system. This sense of collective responsibility and shared existence has been very present for me lately.

When creation becomes demanding, how do you take care of your body and mind?

I am learning to see art and creation as an ongoing process rather than something that must be completed quickly. I try to communicate with the work and with myself asking what it needs in each moment. I remind myself that progress can be slow, and that stepping back, resting, and relaxing are also essential parts of the creative process.

Do you think that blending dance with fashion and film opens new dimensions of storytelling?

Yes, definitely. Interdisciplinary collaboration can be a strong source of inspiration and allows for the creation of a more holistic and interconnected artistic experience.

What do you hope your audience feels when they see you dance?

I hope the audience feels a sense of playfulness, openness, and ease. I want them to sense possibilities and opportunities within the movement, an invitation to explore, imagine, and connect freely.

In your eyes, why is art still essential today?

Art is essential because it allows for expression and the sharing of inner voices. It gives space to articulate inner thoughts and emotions, reflecting the time we are living in. Art encourages people to pause, reflect, form opinions, and engage in dialogue. It holds meaning by addressing concepts that are not always easy to grasp or communicate through words alone.

Wear Saskia’s Looks

Every piece at Nibi is designed to be lived in, moved in, and deeply felt. Explore the handcrafted, slow-fashion designs that accompanied Saskia’s journey from form to feeling.