Monday, July 11, 2011

Repetto


Repetto is a real French landmark. The name comes from the founder, Rose Repetto, whose son, Roland Petit (who just passed away yesterday at 87), used to come back with injured feet from his classical dance lessons. In 1947 she then decided to make him dancing shoes, that would prevent the pain (as if?!). The famous Pointe and Ballerines were born. Soon, they became THE dancing shoes of the most famous dancers in the world. Now the brand has been repositioned, they sell all sorts of dancing equipment and regular shoes. They have several stores in Paris and many in the world. I took this photo at 36 rue de Passy, in the 16th arrondissement.

23 comments:

  1. A very accurate post and a nice tribute to the classic dance. I did not know until tonight that Rose Repetto was the mother of Roland Petit. But I knew his wife is Zizi Jeanmaire. For sure, that's an unusual firstname!
    Wish to this big artist a peaceful rest.

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  2. I love this picture, we have three dancers in the family and I think this would be very familiar to them.

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  3. I am guessing that this is where you took a photo before: a wall of dance shoes, in little pigeon holes.

    A hot summer night in Minneapolis. On the opposite end of the scale from ballet, today I went fishing in the Mississippi River. My buddy caught a 28" walleye (about 71 centimeters). That was fun.

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  4. Beautiful the window shop and the shot.
    Agree with Monica, it's more special with a background story. Thanks for that in so many nice photos Eric.

    I didn't know Roland Petit had passed away. Dance in the light maestro!

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  5. J'adore Repetto. I just added my photo to the stash for my new Paris photobook. I have a lot of nerve don't I! There are a million Paris books but this one is just for me. The ones I love so much. If anyone else wants to buy it that is just euros for my next trip!
    V

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  6. Eric, I adore the windows of Repetto and have fond memories of the dance shoes in a house of 6 girls. I have not been to this store but will be adding it to my next trip itinerary! Hummmm, I still have photos of Repetto that have not been posted....

    Bises,
    Genie

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  7. Love, love, love this place! Was so sorry to hear that Roland Petit has passed away. I was there when he made a bit of a personal performance "comeback" in the sixties. To say we were totally blown away is an understatement—what a powerful dancer he was! Later was lucky enough to meet him and Zizi Jeanmaire—SO beautiful, both of them.

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  8. He lived a long and fruitful life...we were blessed to have his contributions to the Arts. Condolences to Zizi and their daughter, Valentine. Thank you for the sweet photo, Eric!

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  9. Repeto is a reference in paris for style, tradition... the best vitrine in Paris is the one on the Rue de la Paix (métro Opéra)

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  10. Gorgeous. Stunning. Wow. That has to be one of my favorite photos ever, Eric! And the history is so interesting too. Thank you. :)

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  11. Their shoes are fabulous, Eric, and sooo comfortable ... I'm a devoted fan with 3 pairs!


    Enjoy,
    Christine Hueber

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  12. When I was dancing I used to wear their pointe shoes sometimes. I really liked the ones that were made specifically for your right and left feet. I know that sounds weird but all other pointe shoes can be worn on either foot. The sometimes in my comment happened because Repetto closed their store in New York city. This was pre-internet days so they became impossible to buy.

    Glad to hear they're still around so other dancers can enjoy their wonderful shoes.

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  13. This is a really beautiful photo and a really beautiful display! Very French! Thank you for this beautiful start to my Monday which starts a week that I'm not so much looking forward to. Valorie

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  14. Today's comments brought to mind a song from the sixties which started:

    "You talk like Marlene Dietrich
    and you dance like Zizi Jeanmaire,
    your clothes are all made by Balmain
    and there's diamonds and pearls in your hair,
    yes there are, ha, ha, ha."

    Very tasteful and imaginative window display.
    My ballet career never really got off the ground, but at least I now know who Zizi Jeanmaire is.

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  15. Repetto's windows are beautiful, and I know this because of your posts. I remember the one Jeff mentioned. Condolences to M. Petit's family.

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  16. Aaah Drummond ...! You may not know the famous zizi's song : 'mon truc en plumes'...
    Very funny and very ... well, I think you'll like it...! Lyrics are ... great ;)

    Thank you Eric for this lovely shot today.

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  17. Check out Zizi's mon truc en plumes for yourself:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3rBee9wZjo

    Also this is a clip of Zizi in one of her most famous ballet roles 'Carmen' with choreography by Roland Petit:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW7-b-snRn0&feature=related

    She's beautiful & I think this is most inventive choreography.

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  18. Classic Paris.. Nice evening shot! Love repetto...but I don't dance. ;)

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  19. Oh, this is a great shot..!!! Repetto is just amazing..I love it..! thank you for this briliant photo!you made my day!!:)

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  20. Very interesting history!
    Condolences to the family of Roland Petit.

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  21. Great post! I remember Roland Petit, and Zizi Jeanmaire, and of course, Repetto. Repetto was THE ONLY brand for all your ballet needs and has a worldwide reputation.

    RIP, Roland, and thanks for all the great creations.

    We had a little piece about Roland Petit on TV5 yesterday. But I'm sure he is going to go down in history as one of those artists that people will never forget.

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  22. PS. "As if" indeed, Eric. The Repetto traditional ballet shoes were absolute torture already, so I really hate to think about what Roland had to wear before.

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