For centuries, formal concert attire has prioritized tradition over function. Musicians are expected to perform with precision, endurance, and expressive freedom, while wearing garments that limit movement, compress breathing, and ignore instrument-specific biomechanics.
This disconnect often creates restrictions for posture, circulation, range of motion, and ultimately performance quality. MBODY exists to redesign formalwear from the inside out, creating attire made for musicians by musicians.
The Creation of a Modular Performance Tuxedo
The concept of rethinking concert attire began with Leonard Bernstein, who famously believed that traditional concert attire was impractical; an issue that conductor Marin Alsop and designer Gabriel Asfour of threeASFOUR set out to resolve. Over years of research and tests, they completed the project with the Parsons School of Design by redesigning a full set of performance wear for the Baltimore Symphony’s every instrumentalist, totaling 120 musicians. Thus, the seed was sown for the future of musicians’ concert wear. Marin Alsop's jacket designed and built by Gabriel Asfour
Now, Asfour is working with MBODY in the process of completing our first modular concert garment: a performance tuxedo engineered specifically for pianists. Designed personally by Asfour for acclaimed Cliburn winning pianist Jon Nakamatsu, the set is built around how pianists actually sit, rotate, extend, and breathe at the instrument.
By thinking of our attire as a performance tool, we prioritize mobility and comfort while preserving the elegance expected on the concert stage. This is done via thoughtful tailoring, modular construction, and the repurposing of existing garments. Modular Design Part Prototype
We are raising $5,000 to complete the attire for pianist Jon Nakamatsu. This will culminate in a performance showcasing the attire, as well as open discussions about the issues that traditional concert wear presents.
Funds will be allocated as follows:
Prototype Design & Construction: $2,500
Lead design work by Gabriel Asfour (threeASFOUR): $1,600
Specialized tailoring and garment construction: $600
Prototype design materials: $300
Documentation & Media: $1,300
Professional photography of fittings and final garment: $500
Videography and editing for performance documentation and outreach: $800
High-quality documentation will allow the project to be shared with musicians, educators, and institutions worldwide.
Digital Presence & Outreach: $500
Website development and hosting
Campaign graphics and educational materials explaining the design system
These materials allow MBODY to communicate the design research clearly to the broader music community.
Modular Design Research: $700
Research toward designs that can accommodate multiple instruments, allowing us to serve the broader musical community.kimonoTIE.jpg2.34 MB
We are planning a public performance and presentation with Jon Nakamatsu in Fall 2026, co-hosted by the Professional Development & Engagement Center and Piano Department at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
This event will:
Debut the completed modular tuxedo in live performance
Document how movement differs from traditional attire
Spark conversation around injury prevention and performance optimization
Invite musicians, designers, and institutions into the next phase of development
This will allow us to create a proof-of-concept moment for a new standard in concert design, while bringing awareness to a critical issue that musicians have.
If you believe musicians deserve attire that works with them, we invite you to support this campaign. Every contribution accelerates the research, completion, and public debut of this first modular performance garment.
If you’re unable to contribute financially, sharing this campaign on social media is one of the most powerful ways to help us reach musicians, educators, and institutions who care about the future of performance.
Thank you for being part of redefining what concert wear can be. IMG_4326.jpg273.59 KB
Rewards
Digital Thank You
Donate $10.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Personalized digital thank you message from the MBODY team
Supporter
Donate $25.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Public thank-you on the MBODY website and campaign acknowledgements and the above
Behind the Scenes Access
Donate $50.00 or more
Amount over $10.00 is tax-deductible.
Access to a short behind-the-scenes video documenting the Jon Nakamatsu prototype process and all of the above
Artist Thank You Video
Donate $100.00 or more
Amount over $25.00 is tax-deductible.
Exclusive 30-second thank-you video from Jon Nakamatsu and MBODY, and name listed in project credits and all of the above
Prototype Patron
Donate $250.00 or more
Amount over $100.00 is tax-deductible.
Invitation for two to a private recital event featuring Jon Nakamatsu performing in the MBODY prototype, followed by a panel discussion of the design and its impact on musicians and all of the above
Founding Donor
Donate $500.00 or more
Amount over $150.00 is tax-deductible.
Recognition as a Founding Supporter of MBODY in official launch materials, priority invitation to future MBODY demonstrations or showcases and all of the above
