BalletLover Posted February 3, 2006 Posted February 3, 2006 As a long term ballet heel fan, I was just wondering if anybody knows the how many years they have been around. The earliest pictorial evidence I can find is the 1940's / 50's. The left hand picture appears to be from the 40's from the design of her other shoe. The middle has what seems an old design. In the right hand picture third, the shoes have a home made look to them and the dress is from the 40's I have read of an act in a music hall in 1924 where a girl danced in ballet shoes with 9" heels, but this has not been confirmed.
Rockpup Posted February 3, 2006 Posted February 3, 2006 Acording to www.bootlovers.com (issue 11, march 2002) the oldest known pair of boots that could be called ballet boots are from Austria, made in the 19th century. Picture was used from their site, as they got the picture from a book. They do have an excelent historical writeup in that issue, and many older photo's Have fun Jim (formerly known as "JimC")
BalletLover Posted February 3, 2006 Author Posted February 3, 2006 Thanks Jim The pictures are from a site I help run www.retroxotique.com goto - photos - fashion - ballet boots We are just about to start a series on retro shoes Mike
BalletLover Posted February 3, 2006 Author Posted February 3, 2006 Thanks Jim The pictures are from a site I help run www.retroxotique.com goto - photos - fashion - ballet boots btw - we are just about to start a series on retro shoes Mike
BalletLover Posted February 3, 2006 Author Posted February 3, 2006 Jim That picture is great, have you any more pictures of retro shoes and boots, and of course ballet heels Mike
lorriette Posted February 4, 2006 Posted February 4, 2006 to balletlover. thanks for the link to retroxotique, i'm still browsing what's on offer there. some great pictures that might intrest thighbootguy too. totter along into history
BalletLover Posted February 5, 2006 Author Posted February 5, 2006 Lorriette I am glad you like them, any contributions welcome Mike
pussyinboots Posted February 6, 2006 Posted February 6, 2006 What a fabulous site!! The Boots and Stockings Galleries are awesome ! "Good Girls keep diaries....Bad Girls just don't have the time...!:icon_twisted:"
Acin75 Posted March 30, 2012 Posted March 30, 2012 Has anyone seen the whole set of pictures of Michele Nichols (Lt. Uhura) in Ballet boots? Who was making these shoes back then? http://coilhouse.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/uhuraboots01.jpg http://coilhouse.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/uhuraboots02.jpg
Dr. Shoe Posted March 30, 2012 Posted March 30, 2012 Is she screaming in agony there? The oldest reference I know of of 8" heels was made in a journal from the 1890s. Of course the Victorians invented fetish so I wouldn't be surprised. Moreover, John Lobb and Sons had a pair of 18th century 5" thigh boots in their window for many, many years. Graduate footwear designer able to advise and assist on modification and shoe making projects.
Richy Posted March 30, 2012 Posted March 30, 2012 Has anyone seen the whole set of pictures of Michele Nichols (Lt. Uhura) in Ballet boots? Who was making these shoes back then? http://coilhouse.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/uhuraboots01.jpg http://coilhouse.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/uhuraboots02.jpg I have a copy of Regent Shoe's (London) 1958 catalogue which includes what they called tip-toe shoes. A pair of Oxford ballet shoes cost £14, 14s, 0p or the equivalent of £279 allowing for inflation today.
fellipec Posted March 31, 2012 Posted March 31, 2012 Impressive. People from begin of the XX used it for fetish only or had a chance of try to wear ballet heels like a regular heel?
bunnyrocks Posted April 9, 2012 Posted April 9, 2012 Old as the imagination, lol. http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lo5a1uWkIm1qidnqfo1_500.jpg http://marieaunet.blogspot.com/2009/11/vienne-1900.html
Acin75 Posted April 9, 2012 Posted April 9, 2012 I have a copy of Regent Shoe's (London) 1958 catalogue which includes what they called tip-toe shoes. A pair of Oxford ballet shoes cost £14, 14s, 0p or the equivalent of £279 allowing for inflation today. Richy thanks! 1) That is quite a price surge:-) 2) Doas anybody know who was the inventor of Ballet boots in the form as we know today? I guess the developement was there as long as high heels were arrousing to someone. Obviously the increased hight of the heel led to an increase in stimulus and ballets are the logical consequence of it. But doas anyone know names of shoemakers or designersd having this idea first?
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