Welcome

Archive_costume_2017cDuggan_001My name is Caroline Hamilton PhD and I am an Australian-born historian and curator specializing in early twentieth-century ballet and the evolution of dance costume. I now live in Boston, USA, where I work as a freelance historian, curator, and consultant.

I have written extensively on ballet and costume including contributing writer for Dance We Must: The Art and Costumes of Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn, 1906–1940 (coming January 2023), Ballet: The Definitive Illustrated Story (London: Dorling Kindersley, 2018) and Anna Pavlova: Twentieth Century Ballerina (London: Booth-Clibborn Editions, 2012).

In 2022 I completed my technē funded PhD  between the University of Brighton and the Royal Pavilion & Museums Trust. My doctoral thesis examined the design and impact of the short-lived ballet company Les Ballets 1933 through the surviving costumes and ephemera.

You can follow my archival adventures both on my Instagram @_travellinghistorian and my blog Adventures of a Travelling Historian.

 

History

Caroline is passionate about dance and costume history and is always striving to find ways to engage new audiences whether through exhibitions, articles or performance. Caroline specializes in early twentieth century dance and ballet with a focus on the evolution of costume. Here are some of her favorite research projects and interests. The Ballets Russes… Continue reading History

Performance

Caroline trained as a costume maker with The Royal Winnipeg Ballet and The National Ballet of Canada. This knowledge, combined with Caroline’s skill as a researcher and historian has enabled her to work with many companies and designers in the reconstruction of early twentieth century dance works. Caroline specialises in researching the original design and… Continue reading Performance

Costume Mounting

Caroline has extensive experience in mounting and mountmaking for historic dance costume. Dance We Must In 2018 Caroline custom made and adapted 30 mannequins for the exhibition Dance We Must: Treasure from Jacob’s Pillow, 1904-1940, at Williams College Museum of Art in collaboration with Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival.  The exhibition ran from June – November… Continue reading Costume Mounting