Bolero Collection

Fashion for 1956
A bolero and dress of lightweight wool georgette with all accessories from Debenham and Freebody, is a spring winner. The bolero

Stiebel / Wrns Mess Wear
A design by Victor Stiebel for WRNS (Womens Royal Naval Service) officers mess undress, comprising of a long skirt, blouse with revered collar and bolero jacket

Miss Rena Maitland, portrait photograph, 1918 Dec. 5. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Miss Rena Maitland, portrait photograph, 1918 Dec. 5

The Genre Painting (image 5 of 28), 1710. Creator: Unknown
The Genre Painting (image 5 of 28), 1710

Mrs. Russell, 1919 Mar. 8. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Mrs. Russell, 1919 Mar. 8

O'Sullivan, Miss, portrait photograph, 1914 Mar. 3. Creator: Arnold Genthe
O'Sullivan, Miss, portrait photograph, 1914 Mar. 3

Goetter, Lois, Miss, portrait photograph, 1916. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Goetter, Lois, Miss, portrait photograph, 1916

Coat, c. 1940. Creator: Hal Blakeley
Coat, c. 1940

Embroidered Bolero Jacket, c. 1940. Creator: Hal Blakeley
Embroidered Bolero Jacket, c. 1940

Jacket and Pants, c. 1938. Creator: Hal Blakeley
Jacket and Pants, c. 1938

Spanish Peasants Dancing the Bolero, 1836. Creator: John Frederick Lewis
Spanish Peasants Dancing the Bolero, 1836

Man and woman dancing the bolero, Granada, 18th century. Man in majo suit, woman in long dress, both with castanets, accompanied by two guitarists

Marquise de Merito, c1916. Artist: Ignacio Zuloaga
Marquise de Merito, c1916. From The Studio Volume 117. [The Offices of the Studio, London, New York, 1939.]

Model wearing a knitted bolero jacket. Date: 1940

Outfit designed by Maggy Rouff, studio fashion portrait. Captioned, Short Coats for Longer Days'. With description, Spring suits are, like our spring climate, variable

Post lesson relaxing
Rob Cowle

Dancer of Madrid, Spain, 19th century. In a dress for the fandango or bolero with short petticoat, tight corset
FLO4658100 Dancer of Madrid, Spain, 19th century. In a dress for the fandango or bolero with short petticoat, tight corset, and hair tied up in ribbons

Female dancer of Seville, Spain, 19th century. She dances a fandango or bolero with her hair tied up in ribbons
FLO4658127 Female dancer of Seville, Spain, 19th century. She dances a fandango or bolero with her hair tied up in ribbons, a short bolero jacket, calf-length skirt, and castanets

Ladys Bolero, c. 1940. Creator: Syrena Swanson
Ladys Bolero, c. 1940

Bolero Jacket, c. 1937. Creator: Syrena Swanson
Bolero Jacket, c. 1937

Velvet Bolero for Women, c. 1937. Creator: Syrena Swanson
Velvet Bolero for Women, c. 1937

Jacket, c. 1940. Creator: Syrena Swanson
Jacket, c. 1940

Mans Bolero, c. 1936. Creator: Syrena Swanson
Mans Bolero, c. 1936

Bolero Jacket, c. 1940. Creator: Josephine C. Romano
Bolero Jacket, c. 1940

Bolero, c. 1936. Creator: Josephine C. Romano
Bolero, c. 1936

Jacket, c. 1936. Creator: Josephine C. Romano
Jacket, c. 1936

Morning Dress, 1935 / 1942. Creator: Mary E Humes
Morning Dress, 1935/1942

Fashionable woman in crepe morning bonnet, 1801 (handcoloured copperplate engraving)
5986467 Fashionable woman in crepe morning bonnet, 1801 (handcoloured copperplate engraving) by French School, (19th century); (add.info.: Fashionable woman in crepe morning bonnet, 1801)

Fashionable Incroyables in a gambling den, 1800
Fashionable Incroyables in high-collar jackets at a gambling table with young woman and croupier. A gambling hell in the Palais Royal, Year VIII, 1800

Woman arriving for an appointment at the Cafe des
Fashionable woman arriving for an appointment at the Cafe des Tuileries, Paris, Year VI, 1798. She wears a bonnet, lilac fichu, low-cut classical style dress, sandals. Handcoloured lithograph by R.V

Fashionable couple driving in a whiskey carriage, 1797
Fashionable couple driving in a one-horse whiskey carriage or gig in Longchamps, Paris, Year V, 1797. Woman in bonnet, spencer jacket over low-cut dress. Handcoloured lithograph by R.V

Fashionable woman in an embroidered toque cap, 1801 (handcoloured copperplate engraving)
5986628 Fashionable woman in an embroidered toque cap, 1801 (handcoloured copperplate engraving) by French School, (19th century); (add.info.: Fashionable woman in an embroidered toque cap)

The steps for the dance called the Raftero, 1934
The steps for the dance called the Raftero named after George Raft, which he introduced with Carole Lombard in the Paramount film Bolero, 1934 Date: 1934

In A Spanish Tavern (oil on canvas)
BON207939 In A Spanish Tavern (oil on canvas) by Kemm, Robert (1837-95); 71x91.5 cm; Private Collection; Photo eBonhams, London, UK; English, out of copyright

Female dancer of Seville, Spain, 19th century. She dances a fandango or bolero with her hair tied up in ribbons, a short bolero jacket, calf-length skirt, and castanets

Dancer of Madrid, Spain, 19th century. In a dress for the fandango or bolero with short petticoat, tight corset, and hair tied up in ribbons

Spanish Peasants Dancing the Bolero, 1836 (colour litho with additional hand-colouring
2972709 Spanish Peasants Dancing the Bolero, 1836 (colour litho with additional hand-colouring on ivory wove paper) by Lewis, John Frederick (1804-76); 26.5x37.2 cm; The Art Institute of Chicago, IL

"The Gondoliers"at the Savoy Theatre, the Quintette in the First Act (engraving)
1046801 " The Gondoliers" at the Savoy Theatre, the Quintette in the First Act (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

For a Quiet Little Dinner (engraving)
1050919 For a Quiet Little Dinner (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: For a Quiet Little Dinner)

The Gondoliers at the Savoy Theatre - the quintette in the first act (engraving)
584239 The Gondoliers at the Savoy Theatre - the quintette in the first act (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Pistolees e las sequidillas boleras, c. 1790-99 (engraving)
5934230 Pistolees e las sequidillas boleras, c.1790-99 (engraving) by Spanish School, (18th century); 26x20.3 cm; New York Public Library, USA; Spanish, out of copyright

Boliero, c. 1800-09 (hand-coloured engraving)
5934227 Boliero, c.1800-09 (hand-coloured engraving) by Irish School, (19th century); 20x30.4 cm; New York Public Library, USA; Irish, out of copyright

The Boleras Dance, engraved by John Heaviside Clark, c. 1810-19 (hand-coloured engraving)
5934231 The Boleras Dance, engraved by John Heaviside Clark, c.1810-19 (hand-coloured engraving) by Bradford, William (1823-92); 18x29 cm; New York Public Library, USA; American, out of copyright

Fashionable woman in cap and short jacket, 1801 (handcoloured copperplate engraving)
5986638 Fashionable woman in cap and short jacket, 1801 (handcoloured copperplate engraving) by French School, (19th century); (add.info.: Fashionable woman in cap and short jacket, 1801)

Fashionable woman in an oblong headdress, 1801 (handcoloured copperplate engraving)
5986486 Fashionable woman in an oblong headdress, 1801 (handcoloured copperplate engraving) by French School, (19th century); (add.info.: Fashionable woman in an oblong headdress, 1801)

Danse du bolero (engraving)
3635562 Danse du bolero (engraving) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Danse du bolero. Illustration for Les Races Humaines by Louis Figuier (Hachette, 1872)

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"Bolero: A Fashion Icon Through the Ages" Step into the world of fashion for 1956, where the bolero takes center stage. From Stiebel/Wrns Mess Wear to Maggy Rouff's stunning designs, this short coat has captured hearts and turned heads for decades. Travel back in time to 1940, as a model showcases a knitted bolero jacket with grace and elegance. The outfit designed by Maggy Rouff is perfectly described as "Short Coats for Longer Days, " reflecting the variable nature of spring suits. After a lesson well-learned, it's time to relax and unwind. Just like post-lesson relaxation, the bolero adds an effortless touch of sophistication to any ensemble. But let us not forget the origins of this captivating garment. In 19th century Spain, dancers from Madrid and Seville brought life to fandangos and boleros while donning short petticoats, tight corsets, ribbons in their hair, and castanets in hand. Their vibrant energy was beautifully depicted through handcoloured copperplate engravings by Georges Jacques Gatine and Louis Marie Lante. Fast forward to c. 1936-1940 when Syrena Swanson showcased her creative genius through various bolero designs. Whether it be Lady's Bolero or Mans Bolero, these creations exuded timeless charm that transcended gender boundaries. The allure continued with velvet variations that added a touch of luxury in c. 1937 - another testament to Syrena Swanson's talent. In every era, whether worn by models on runways or dancers on stages adorned with ribbons and castanets - the bolero remains an iconic piece that effortlessly elevates any outfit.