‘My first pair of ballet shoes. I’ve been doing ballet since I was 4 years old. When I came out I was worried that people wouldn’t see me as male because of my love of ballet and pointe, but because I love it so much I refused to quit. Since coming out, I’ve been more confident in my dancing, and while they were worn long before my transition, they hold a lot of memories for me, as ballet has made me the man I am.’

OBJECT NUMBER MOT000097

This object currently lives in The Bishopsgate Institute.

Photo by Katy Davies, Fashion Space Gallery, London College of Fashion.