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

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

Britain’s pioneering black ballerina, Julie Felix, had her iconic pointe shoes restored on the BBC show The Repair Shop. The 67-year-old dancer gained fame in the US after recounting how she was barred from a London ballet company in the 1970s due to racial prejudice. Following her return to the UK, she dedicated her career to teaching at the Birmingham Royal Ballet, and the shoes were finally repaired 40 years after her debut professional performance.

It left me speechless, as I hadn’t anticipated such a moment.

Felix shared that the idea to restore the shoes originated from her late mother. “Life had kept me occupied, and my late mother’s vision for the restoration remained unfulfilled until now,” she explained. The show, which showcases personal treasured items being revived by skilled artisans, exceeded her hopes. “My goal was simple—just to salvage them somehow, but Dean’s work surpassed all expectations,” she added.

Before retiring, Felix served as Head of Dance at St Martin’s Girls School in Solihull. She has since received an MBE for her contributions to the arts. The Repair Shop will broadcast on BBC1 at 20:00 BST on 8 April. Stay connected with BBC Birmingham via BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram for more updates.