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In Step, one of this summer’s most important new documentaries, filmmaker Amanda Lipitz follows a high school step team at the Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women, a charter school in the city’s downtown district, as its members prepare for both college admissions and the biggest step competition in the D.C. Metro area. In between step practice—where footsteps and hand claps meet spoken word to make intricate and cohesive rhythms, sounds, even shapes—the students navigate the challenges of school and home life, while bonding about Kim Kardashian West in beauty parlors and dating unsupportive boyfriends. Three of those students, seniors Blessin Giraldo, Cori Grainger, and Tayla Solomon, reunited in Brooklyn, New York, over a year later to perform an exclusive routine for Vogue, choreographed by their coach Gari “Coach G” McIntyre.
Dressed in silver and black fitness gear and donning metallic Dr. Martens, the girls confidently toss their long hair in unison; lengths of black, brown, and bright red fly high in natural and wavy textures as they stomp their toned legs, count down and shout out as if on a battlefield, and laugh in excitement. For these girls, this traditional form of movement is much more than a rigorous after-school workout (though step has proven results for legs, arms, and core) or extracurricular activity. “Step is what gets me through life,” says Giraldo. As Coach G tells them in a scene from the film, “You’re a team. You’re a sisterhood. You carry each other when you’re in step class. Now, one, two, three, down.”
Featuring Blessin Giraldo, Cori Grainger, Tayla Solomon Director: Steven Brahms DP: Julian Kapadia Fashion Editor: Kirby Marzec Hair: Nikki Nelms Makeup: Courtney Perkins Manicure: Megumi Yamamoto Editor: Kevin Tadge Filmed at Seret Studios
Blessin in: Tory Sport metallic nylon coat, $298, for information: torysport.com; Michi Garnet crop top, $135, michiny.com; Michi Quasar leggings, $205, michiny.com; Dr. Martens silver leather boots, $150, drmartens.com; Tuza small Molly hoops, $70, for information: tuzajewelry.com; Blessin in her own necklaces
Cori in: Lisa Marie Fernandez Farrah bonded bikini, $395, for information: lisamariefernandez.com; Tory Sport metallic nylon shorts, $118, for information: torysport.com; Michi moto zip leggings, $175, michiny.com; Dr. Martens silver leather boots, $150, drmartens.com
Tayla in: Paco Rabanne mesh breastplate, $1,350, Blake, 312.202.0047; HPE seamless zipped bra in black, $70, for information: hpeclothing.com; Michi Dusk mesh top, $110, michiny.com; Koral forge leggings, $120, bandier.com; Dr. Martens silver leather boots, $150, drmartens.com