Repair Shop restores Britain’s first black ballerina’s shoes

Repair Shop restores Britain’s first black ballerina’s shoes

Julie Felix, the UK’s first Black professional ballerina, has seen her signature pointe shoes restored on the BBC series The Repair Shop. At 67, the dancer gained international recognition after being excluded from a London ballet company in the 1970s due to racial prejudice.

“The moment left me speechless, as I had not anticipated such an event,” Felix said upon learning about the restoration.

After returning to the UK, she taught at the Birmingham Royal Ballet and had the shoes repaired exactly 40 years following her debut professional performance.

“Her late mother’s initiative led to the restoration, though life’s demands had delayed the process until now,” Felix explained.

The programme features individuals seeking to revive cherished personal items through the expertise of skilled craftsmen. “She had hoped for a simple display or slight restoration, but the work surpassed her expectations,” Felix added.

Felix served as Head of Dance at St Martin’s Girls School in Solihull until her retirement and was later honored with an MBE. The Repair Shop episode will air on BBC1 at 20:00 BST on 8 April.

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