Dance Costume
mid 20th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Long green cotton dress with tie-dyed skirt, worn for the Natural Movement production, Vintage Rhythms.
Natural Movement was established by Madge Atkinson (1885-1970), initially in Manchester in the early years of the 20th century. Madge was a barefoot dancer who drew inspiration from movement in nature (water, the breeze, etc) and from the natural movements of the human body. Along with her contemporaries Ruby Ginner and Margaret Morris, she pioneered modern dance in Britain.
Vintage Rhythms was a group work choreographed by Madge Atkinson to parts of Liadov's Biroulki Opus 2 (1876), a series of 14 piano pieces. It celebrated a rural community with dances called To the Harvest, Fruit Gathering, Waggon Hauling and Unloading, Grape Treading and Harvest Festival. The collection at the V&A includes 21 dresses, each consisting of a waisted bodice with peplum and a skirt in a lighter cotton. The cotton of the costumes was dyed and the skirt here was tie-dyed.
Natural Movement was established by Madge Atkinson (1885-1970), initially in Manchester in the early years of the 20th century. Madge was a barefoot dancer who drew inspiration from movement in nature (water, the breeze, etc) and from the natural movements of the human body. Along with her contemporaries Ruby Ginner and Margaret Morris, she pioneered modern dance in Britain.
Vintage Rhythms was a group work choreographed by Madge Atkinson to parts of Liadov's Biroulki Opus 2 (1876), a series of 14 piano pieces. It celebrated a rural community with dances called To the Harvest, Fruit Gathering, Waggon Hauling and Unloading, Grape Treading and Harvest Festival. The collection at the V&A includes 21 dresses, each consisting of a waisted bodice with peplum and a skirt in a lighter cotton. The cotton of the costumes was dyed and the skirt here was tie-dyed.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Dyed cotton and metallic buttons |
| Brief description | Long green cotton dress with tie-dyed skirt, worn for the Natural Movement production, Vintage Rhythms |
| Physical description | Ankle-length cotton dress consisting of a false bodice with peplum and skirt attached, stitched at the waist. There are four decorative filigree metal buttons down the front of the bodice, which is fastened with five hooks and eyes. The bias-cut skirt is made of a lighter cotton to enable it to move easily, but the hem is weighty to control the movement. This version of the dress has a green bodice with peplum and a tie-dyed green skirt. The thick hem gives the skirt weight so it will move well. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Credit line | Given by Francine Watson Coleman on behalf of the Natural Movement organisation |
| Object history | Acquired as a part of the Natural Movement Collection. |
| Summary | Long green cotton dress with tie-dyed skirt, worn for the Natural Movement production, Vintage Rhythms. Natural Movement was established by Madge Atkinson (1885-1970), initially in Manchester in the early years of the 20th century. Madge was a barefoot dancer who drew inspiration from movement in nature (water, the breeze, etc) and from the natural movements of the human body. Along with her contemporaries Ruby Ginner and Margaret Morris, she pioneered modern dance in Britain. Vintage Rhythms was a group work choreographed by Madge Atkinson to parts of Liadov's Biroulki Opus 2 (1876), a series of 14 piano pieces. It celebrated a rural community with dances called To the Harvest, Fruit Gathering, Waggon Hauling and Unloading, Grape Treading and Harvest Festival. The collection at the V&A includes 21 dresses, each consisting of a waisted bodice with peplum and a skirt in a lighter cotton. The cotton of the costumes was dyed and the skirt here was tie-dyed. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.826-2019 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | December 4, 2019 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSON
