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

Britain’s First Black Professional Ballerina’s Shoes Get a New Lease of Life

On a recent episode of The Repair Shop, Julie Felix, 67, had her once-untouched pointe shoes returned to their former glory. The dancer, who holds the distinction of being Britain’s first black professional ballerina, recounted how she faced racial barriers in the 1970s when excluded from a London-based ballet company. This prompted her to move to the US, where she gained recognition as a rising star.

Felix returned to the UK years later, dedicating herself to teaching at the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Now, 40 years after her debut solo performance, her footwear is being restored. “It took my breath away, because it was something that I really never expected to happen,” she shared, reflecting on the moment.

“It just turned out that life is busy as we all know it, and I never got the opportunity to get them fixed,” Felix said, attributing the decision to her late mother’s vision.

The Repair Shop, which showcases individuals reviving cherished personal items through skilled craftsmanship, recently featured Felix’s shoes. She expressed gratitude for the restoration, noting that Dean, the craftsman, surpassed her expectations by transforming the shoes into a preserved artifact.

Before retiring, Felix served as Head of Dance at St Martin’s Girls School in Solihull and was honored with an MBE for her contributions to the arts. The episode airs on BBC1 at 20:00 BST on 8 April.