How did Martha Graham’s use of costumes and sets differ from Denishawn’s style?

Martha Graham’s approach to costumes and sets represented a deliberate departure from the aesthetic of Denishawn, the company where she began her career. While Denishawn was known for its opulent productions and exotic, elaborate staging that often drew from diverse cultural themes, Graham moved toward a philosophy of eliminating unnecessary ornamentation.123

Her stylistic differences included:

• Costumes: Graham moved away from the exotic and decorative costumes of her past, favoring simple jersey fabrics cut along stark, clean lines. This design choice was intended to clearly reveal the dancer’s movements rather than obscure them.12
• Sets: In contrast to the rich, traditional staging of Denishawn, Graham pioneered the use of three-dimensional sculpture and free-standing set pieces. By replacing conventional painted flats and drops with these symbolic structures, she was able to create new levels of stage space and emphasize the emotional or thematic essence of her work.12

Ultimately, Graham’s minimalist approach was designed to support a visceral, expressive dance technique that prioritized human emotion over decorative display.12