Dance Costume
mid 20th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Long maroon and plum-coloured dress 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, often tie-dyed or, in this instance, dip-dyed, in a contrasting or similar colour.
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, often tie-dyed or, in this instance, dip-dyed, in a contrasting or similar colour.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Dyed cotton and metallic buttons |
| Brief description | Long maroon and plum-coloured dress 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 filigree metal buttons down the front of the bodice which is fastened with five hooks and eyes. The 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 maroon bodice and skirt dyed a plum colour. |
| Dimensions |
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| 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 maroon and plum-coloured dress 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, often tie-dyed or, in this instance, dip-dyed, in a contrasting or similar colour. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.18-2020 |
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| Record created | January 30, 2020 |
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