Polka Collection (page 7)

Carlotta Grisi / Polka
CARLOTTA GRISI (Caronne Adele Josephine Marie Grisi) Italian ballet dancer, seen here with Jules Perrot in La Polka

Colonial Polka C1870
THE COLONIAL POLKA - when colonial meant conferring the blessings of civilisation on the benighted natives

Military / Drum Polka
A military drummer boy in a rather imaginative- looking uniform

Tamara Karsavina / Ils 28
TAMARA KARSAVINA Russian ballet dancer dancing the polka in Les Vendredis

Morning Dress 1799
Two ladies in Morning Dress for September 1799 : one carries a tiny parasol while her companion reads a letter

Polka, Grisi & Perrot
Two of the leading dancers of the day - Carlotta Grisi and Jules Perrot - perform the fashionable polka

Polka (Bohemian)
Polka means half-step in Czech, and this step which took first the dance halls and then the ballrooms of Europe by storm, scandalising many, is of Bohemian origin

Polka Mania, 1844
Polka Mania : an accomplished couple excite admiration in a ballroom

Polka Dot Frock 1832
Pelerine with dentilated border; dress with full sleeves (tight from elbow to wrist - Medici ). Worn with a belt & large bonnet. Shown in black & a polka dot fabric

Tousled Blonde
A tousle headed blonde, with a knowing look, poses on a cliff wearing a halter neck bikini in a large polka dot print fabric

Fancy Hats for 1919
Five styles of cap for the summer resembling bathing caps, berets and turbans. Ornamented with bows large & small, a rose or a pom-pon they are very becoming

Swimwear - Belgium 1913
Bathing beauties in polka dot headscarves and clinging one- piece bathing costumes take a stroll in the sea. One costume has side lacing on the legs & a deep V -neck. Date: 1913

Amelia Bloomer / Polka
AMELIA BLOOMER American reformer who wore full trousers for women now known as bloomers

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"Polka: A Timeless Dance and Fashion Statement" From the vibrant 1940s to the modern era, it has left an indelible mark on various aspects of our lives. This lively dance form, accompanied by its catchy tunes, has transcended generations and cultures. In the 1940s, as Margaret Thatcher was making her mark in politics, girls were seen enjoying a leisurely game of bowls while swaying to the rhythm beats. The music cover for "Two Marionettes Polka" captured the essence of this joyful dance with its playful illustrations. Not limited to just music, it also found its way into fashion trends. The Poodle Polka became a sensation in the '50s when women adorned themselves with charming poodle-themed accessories and clothing items. Meanwhile, iconic images like William Barribal's artwork on The Bystander front cover showcased elegant ladies donning polka dot bikinis or flaunting their figures in teeny weeny bikinis. Artists like David Wright celebrated not only the dance but also its influence on design. His Streamline Fuselage depicted sleek aircraft inspired by polka's rhythmic movements—a testament to how this dance style permeated every aspect of life. The LA Tarasque Polka brought a touch of exoticism to this beloved genre as it incorporated elements from different cultures into its melodies and steps. It served as a reminder that polka had become more than just a European tradition; it had evolved into an international phenomenon. Musicians like Alphonse Cary added their own twist to traditional tunes with compositions such as "The Electric Polka, " blending classic sounds with contemporary electronic beats—an innovative take on an age-old art form. Even royalty couldn't resist being swept away by polkas' infectious energy.