Object ID
2007.52.1
Object Name
Slipper, Ballet
Date Created
1970 – 2002
Alternative Name
Pointe
Material
Leather; Satin
Object Entities
London, Freed (created by)
Alexopoulos, Helene (owned by)
Alexopoulos-Warrick, Helene (is related to)
Access Points
Object Description
Two pink satin pointe shoes made by Freed of London that once belonged to famous dancer Helene Alexopoulos. The right shoe is signed by the dancer in black ink. On the "sole" of the shoe is the makers mark "Freed of London Made in England" and under that the letter C. The shoes are size 6.5. Under the size is a gross and the Roman numerals XX.
Origin
Helene Alexopoulos, a native of Chicago, began studying ballet with local teachers at the age of six. She continued her studies from the age of fourteen with former New York City Ballet Principal Dander Maria Tallchief, the director of the Chicago Lyric Opera Ballet, and while still a student appeared professionally with them. In 1977 Helene went to New York on a scholarship to study at the School of American Ballet, the official school of the New York City Ballet as a member of the Corps de Ballet, and was promoted to the rank of soloist in 1984, then to principal in 1989.

For her farewell performance in 2002, Helene danced the role of Siren in George Balanchine's The Prodigal Son, and the role of Merry Widow in Balanchine's Vienna Waltzes. Helene traveled extensively with the New York City Ballet, appearing with the Company in Tokyo, Osaka, Edinburgh, Copenhagen, Berlin, London, Paris, and many American cities. She continued to appear as a Guest Artist throughout the U.S. and Europe.

About Freed of London shoes:
Freed of London’s dance shoes have been worn by the greatest dancers since the 1920s and are still worn by the leading dancers, companies and schools around the world.

Over 90% of all Freed of London products are manufactured in England, with over 250,000 pairs of Pointe Shoes being handmade every year. Freed is the leading supplier of bespoke Pointe Shoes, handmade to perfectly fit dancers feet.
Rights and Reproduction
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Any other use, such as exhibition, publication, or commercial use, is not allowed except by written permission in accordance with the NHM Image Rights and Reproduction Policy.

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Citation
Slipper, Ballet, 1970 – 2002, National Hellenic Museum, https://collections.nationalhellenicmuseum.org/Detail/objects/7826. Accessed 03/18/24.