WOW Unity

Spotlighting women who embody positive energy, strength and spirit. Meet Unity Phelan, a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet.

“There was a point, probably around third or fourth grade, where my parents caught on to the fact that I loved ballet class,” says the New York City Ballet’s Unity Phelan. ”It was no longer like, ‘if you don't clean your room, you're not going to get to watch TV—it was, ‘if you don't clean your room, you're not going to be allowed to go to ballet!’” Born in New Jersey, Unity studied at the New York City Ballet’s School of American Ballet, and the journey to principal dancer there has given her a perspective that we love so much:
”It's not about perfection, it's about progress.”

“There was a point, probably around third or fourth grade, where my parents caught on to the fact that I loved ballet class,” says the New York City Ballet’s Unity Phelan. ”It was no longer like, ‘if you don't clean your room, you're not going to get to watch TV—it was, ‘if you don't clean your room, you're not going to be allowed to go to ballet!’” Born in New Jersey, Unity studied at the New York City Ballet’s School of American Ballet, and the journey to principal dancer there has given her a perspective that we love so much: ”It's not about perfection, it's about progress.”

How do you handle the expectation of perfection?

I have had many ridiculous things happen to me during performances. My strap has popped off of a tutu. I’ve fallen when no one else was on stage—it was just me, and I wiped out like I was sliding into home base! I've only forgotten the choreography on stage once, but there have been trips and slips and falls. Each of them brings a smile to my face because it shows that we're all human and live performance
is so exciting.

Advice for your younger self?

To embrace the quirkiness that I may have seen as flaws or faults. They're what makes you special. Controlling every situation is not possible. So working with what you have and creating the truest version of yourself is a really beautiful thing, and that's going to make your job
more fun.

How did you find that version of yourself?

The journey to becoming a principal ballerina was very long and difficult. Lots of blood, sweat and tears. But about four years into my career, I got a mentor who pulled me aside and said, “You know what we need to find? We need to find the ‘Unity.’ Instead of trying to fixate on making it perfect, you should find the ‘Unity’ way of doing it.” That was a real epiphany moment. As much I wanted to emulate the ballerinas before me, it's better if I am true to myself.

How do you feel in your LOF?

When I wear my Left on Friday pieces, whether it's a swimsuit to the beach or my playsuits in rehearsal or the sweats to chill out after a long day, I feel powerful. There's a good mix between power and vulnerability that comes with wearing these pieces. They accentuate the body and I love the way they make me feel: athletic and strong, but like I could do a beautiful show at the same time. There's no set way you have to be while you're wearing Left on Friday.

Shop Active