Photo Credit Olivier
Photo Credit gourmandinage
Photo Credit Kathy
Photo Credit Jessica (make sure you visit her inspiring blog)
Many slippers waiting for ballerinas
Vintage Repetto Slippers
Photo Credit OlivierOlivier is magical!
Yes, one goes to Paris to visit the Louvre, Musee D'orsay and the Eiffel Tower, but I also go for glorious window shopping. The vitrines are spectacular and breathtaking. A visual delight around every corner. My post today is about an institution in Paris. Repetto. I want to thank Kathy, Olivier, Gourmandinage, and Jessica for submitting their scrumptious pics, which perfectly captures the uniqueness of this cute shop. Please visit their sites and blog when you have a moment. You will get lost for hours!
Tutus and pointe shoes have fascinated me for decades. I was one of those who owned the ubiquitous poster of the leg warmers and tattered ballet slippers. There is something so special about a pair of ballet slippers. I bought white satin slippers from a local dance shop when I was a teenager and I wore them all the time...even wore them with my wedding dress. I remember seeing a shopkeeper in Frankenmuth, Michigan, wearing a pair of black ballet slippers as she worked the gigantic loom in her cute shop. It was an enchanting image.
So, Repetto...here is the story. In 1947, Rose Repetto, started creating ballet slippers for her son who was a famous ballet dancer and choreographer in France. From her little studio, she began making slippers for many local ballerinas. In 1956, Brigitte Bardot, asked Rose to make her red fashion slippers for the film, And God Created Women. Those crimson ballerina flats pushed Rose into the fashion stratosphere. She created ballerina-inspired shoes that became the rage for a very long time. In 1959, she opened her first cute shop at 22 rue de la Paix, where it still is today. Repetto was the place where all the prima ballerinas went for their slippers and pointe shoes.
After Rose passed away in the 80's, Repetto struggled for a few years until Reebok guru, Jean-Marc Gaucher, purchased the riddled company in 1999. Repetto still makes slippers for dancers using the traditional hand made stitch and returned method, but today, Mr. Gaucher has created a reputation for stylish footwear beyond the dance floor. Kate Moss, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Catherine Deneuve, Céline Dion, Sarah Jessica Parker and Hillary Clinton all wear the newly designed Repetto. The shoes are inspired by dance styles such as tango and salsa and have a vintage appeal. If anyone has a pair of Repetto shoes, I would love to hear a review. I can only imagine that they are extremely comfortable considering the foundation is made to handle hours of dancing.
The Repetto website is charming - http://www.repetto.com/. And, next time you are in Paris, check out Musee D'orsay Degas collection of dancers. Fabulous!
Tutus and pointe shoes have fascinated me for decades. I was one of those who owned the ubiquitous poster of the leg warmers and tattered ballet slippers. There is something so special about a pair of ballet slippers. I bought white satin slippers from a local dance shop when I was a teenager and I wore them all the time...even wore them with my wedding dress. I remember seeing a shopkeeper in Frankenmuth, Michigan, wearing a pair of black ballet slippers as she worked the gigantic loom in her cute shop. It was an enchanting image.
So, Repetto...here is the story. In 1947, Rose Repetto, started creating ballet slippers for her son who was a famous ballet dancer and choreographer in France. From her little studio, she began making slippers for many local ballerinas. In 1956, Brigitte Bardot, asked Rose to make her red fashion slippers for the film, And God Created Women. Those crimson ballerina flats pushed Rose into the fashion stratosphere. She created ballerina-inspired shoes that became the rage for a very long time. In 1959, she opened her first cute shop at 22 rue de la Paix, where it still is today. Repetto was the place where all the prima ballerinas went for their slippers and pointe shoes.
After Rose passed away in the 80's, Repetto struggled for a few years until Reebok guru, Jean-Marc Gaucher, purchased the riddled company in 1999. Repetto still makes slippers for dancers using the traditional hand made stitch and returned method, but today, Mr. Gaucher has created a reputation for stylish footwear beyond the dance floor. Kate Moss, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Catherine Deneuve, Céline Dion, Sarah Jessica Parker and Hillary Clinton all wear the newly designed Repetto. The shoes are inspired by dance styles such as tango and salsa and have a vintage appeal. If anyone has a pair of Repetto shoes, I would love to hear a review. I can only imagine that they are extremely comfortable considering the foundation is made to handle hours of dancing.
The Repetto website is charming - http://www.repetto.com/. And, next time you are in Paris, check out Musee D'orsay Degas collection of dancers. Fabulous!
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2 comments:
HI: I just read your article on Paris and ballerina slippers. I have google watch for Frankenmuth, MI, as I live there and work to support the efforts of tourism in Frankenmuth. You painted an enchanting picture with just a few words of that shopkeeper. I was wondering if you could tell me the name of the shop. I would like to be able to pass your comments on to her. I am not registered as a blogger. You can send an e-mail to dodgeroadvisitorcenter@speednetllc.com
Gena Harken
Hi Gena- thanks for your comment. That was the very beautiful Dee Zehnder. It was in the early 80s when she just opened up Rapunsels. She was so graceful and elegant working on her loom. I see Rapunsels has since moved from its original location. If you see Dee, please tell her Joy said "hello".
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