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

Repair Shop Restores Britain’s First Black Ballerina’s Shoes

Julie Felix, the first Black professional ballerina in Britain, has had her pointed shoes restored on BBC’s The Repair Shop programme. The dancer, now 67, gained fame in the United States after recounting her experience of being excluded from a London ballet company in the 1970s due to racism.

A Historic Restoration

The shoes, which were repaired 40 years following her debut solo performance, are being restored as part of the show’s tradition of reviving cherished personal items through expert craftsmanship. “It took my breath away, because it was something that I really never expected to happen,” Felix shared upon being asked about the process.

Lifetime of Dedication

Felix’s mother was the driving force behind the restoration, as the dancer admitted she had postponed the project due to a hectic schedule. “It just turned out that life is busy as we all know it, and I never got the opportunity to get them fixed,” she explained. After retiring from her role as Head of Dance at St Martin’s Girls School in Solihull, Felix received an MBE for her contributions to the field.

Behind the Scenes

Each episode of The Repair Shop highlights unique personal items, with craftspeople bringing them back to life. Felix praised the work, saying Dean, the restorer, surpassed her expectations. “My idea was to have them mounted somehow, just slightly salvaged in some way, but Dean exceeded my expectations,” she added.

The programme will air on BBC1 on 8 April at 20:00 BST. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram for more updates.