1930s/1940s: Radio City Rockettes
Image: Rockettes perform at Radio City Music Hall in the late 1930s/early 1940s.
History of the Rockettes
In 1925, the dance company known as the Missouri Rockets was formed in St. Louis. When Samuel “Roxy” Rothafel brought the group to perform at the Roxy Theater in New York City, the group’s name changed to the Roxyettes.
When Radio City Music Hall opened on December 27, 1932, the Roxyettes began performing at the new venue.
They performed their first Christmas show in December 1933. The group became the Rockettes in 1934.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
1933: "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" Sketch
Vincente Minnelli (Liza Minnelli's father) designed the "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" costume in 1933 for the first-ever Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall.
Read details about the "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" costume in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
1933 to Today: "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers"
Today the Rockettes still wear Vincente Minnelli's original 1933 costume design and perform the dance number's original choreography in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. The other 1933 scene still performed today is "The Living Nativity."
Read details about the "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" costume in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
Mid to late 1930s: Radio City Rockettes
Two Rockettes sell a ticket to a Radio City Music Hall patron in the early to mid 1930s.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
1930s/1940s: Rockettes in Dressing Room
The Rockettes get ready for a performance backstage at Radio City Music Hall in the late 1930s/early 1940s.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
Circa 1940: Radio City Rockette High Kicks
Dancer Judy Sammons is the youngest Radio City Rockette at that time circa 1940.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
Circa 1950: Rockettes Backstage at Radio City
The Rockettes wait backstage at Radio City Music Hall circa 1950. On the far right is dancer Gloria O'Malley.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
1960s: Rockettes' "Dance Hall Girl" Costume
The Rockettes' "Dance Hall Girl" costume with feathered hat and lace-up boots debuted in the 1960s.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
To see other Rockettes' costumes from the 1960s, visit Rockettes.com.
1978: Rockettes' "Hot Pink Tuxedo" Costume
The Rockettes' "Hot Pink Tuxedo" costume was designed by Frank Spencer in 1978.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
1982: Rockettes' "Dancing in Diamonds" by Bob Mackie
The patriotic "Red, White & Blue Proof" Rockettes' costume designed by Frank Spencer debuted in 1981.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
1982: Rockettes' "Red Santa" Costume
Famed designer Bob Mackie designed the Rockettes' dazzling "Dancing in Diamonds" costume in 1982.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
1990: Rockettes' "Gershwin Boa" Costume
The Rockettes' "Red Santa" costume, designed by Pete Menefee in 1982, is a signature look for the dancers. In this image, the Rockettes wear the costume for the premiere of the film "Polar Express" in New York City on November 8, 2004.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
1996: Rockettes' "Singing in the Rain" Costume
The Rockettes' blue-and-white "Gershwin Boa" costume by Erté, a Russian-born French artist and designer, debuted in 1990.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
1999: Rockettes' "Velvet March" Costume
The Rockettes' pink "Singing in the Rain" costume by Frank Krenz debuted in 1996.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
1999: Rockettes' "City Rhythm" Costume
The Rockettes' blue patriotic costume "Velvet March" designed by Deborah Newhall debuted in 1999.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
2003: Rockettes' "Mirror" Costume
The Rockettes' “City Rhythm” costume designed by Deborah Newhall debuted in 1999. In this image, the Rockettes perform during the 4th Annual "Broadway Under the Stars" in Bryant Park on June 13, 2005, in New York City.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
2012: Rockettes' "Project Runway" Costume
The Rockettes' "Mirror" costume designed by Gregg Barnes debuted in 2003. In this image, Radio City Rockettes Katie Hamrah and Natalie Reid attend the Radio City Christmas Spectacular opening night at Radio City Music Hall in November 2011.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
2000s to Today: Rockettes' "New York at Christmas"
In season 10 of Lifetime's "Project Runway," contestants created costumes for the Rockettes. Designer Christopher Palu created the winning design that features the New York City skyline.
The Rockettes wore Palu's design while attending "America's Got Talent" season 8 post show finale red carpet event at Radio City Music Hall on September 18, 2013, in New York City.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
2013: Rockettes' "Snow" Costume
The Rockettes perform "New York at Christmas" in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular wearing festive red and green costumes.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
The Rockettes' "Snow" costumes designed by Gregg Barnes are new to Radio City Christmas Spectacular in 2013. Each costume is unique: there are six different colors and six different styles, so each of the 36 Rockettes on stage wear a slightly different costume. Like snowflakes, no two are the same.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
See other Rockettes' costumes at Rockettes.com.
Keep up with the latest vintage clothing news on Twitter @trendyjenny, Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ and Instagram.
Image: Rockettes perform at Radio City Music Hall in the late 1930s/early 1940s.
History of the Rockettes
In 1925, the dance company known as the Missouri Rockets was formed in St. Louis. When Samuel “Roxy” Rothafel brought the group to perform at the Roxy Theater in New York City, the group’s name changed to the Roxyettes.
When Radio City Music Hall opened on December 27, 1932, the Roxyettes began performing at the new venue.
They performed their first Christmas show in December 1933. The group became the Rockettes in 1934.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
1933: "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" Sketch
Vincente Minnelli (Liza Minnelli's father) designed the "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" costume in 1933 for the first-ever Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall.
Read details about the "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" costume in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
1933 to Today: "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers"
Today the Rockettes still wear Vincente Minnelli's original 1933 costume design and perform the dance number's original choreography in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. The other 1933 scene still performed today is "The Living Nativity."
Read details about the "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" costume in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
Mid to late 1930s: Radio City Rockettes
Two Rockettes sell a ticket to a Radio City Music Hall patron in the early to mid 1930s.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
1930s/1940s: Rockettes in Dressing Room
The Rockettes get ready for a performance backstage at Radio City Music Hall in the late 1930s/early 1940s.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
Circa 1940: Radio City Rockette High Kicks
Dancer Judy Sammons is the youngest Radio City Rockette at that time circa 1940.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
Circa 1950: Rockettes Backstage at Radio City
The Rockettes wait backstage at Radio City Music Hall circa 1950. On the far right is dancer Gloria O'Malley.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
1960s: Rockettes' "Dance Hall Girl" Costume
The Rockettes' "Dance Hall Girl" costume with feathered hat and lace-up boots debuted in the 1960s.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
To see other Rockettes' costumes from the 1960s, visit Rockettes.com.
1978: Rockettes' "Hot Pink Tuxedo" Costume
The Rockettes' "Hot Pink Tuxedo" costume was designed by Frank Spencer in 1978.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
1982: Rockettes' "Dancing in Diamonds" by Bob Mackie
The patriotic "Red, White & Blue Proof" Rockettes' costume designed by Frank Spencer debuted in 1981.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
1982: Rockettes' "Red Santa" Costume
Famed designer Bob Mackie designed the Rockettes' dazzling "Dancing in Diamonds" costume in 1982.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
1990: Rockettes' "Gershwin Boa" Costume
The Rockettes' "Red Santa" costume, designed by Pete Menefee in 1982, is a signature look for the dancers. In this image, the Rockettes wear the costume for the premiere of the film "Polar Express" in New York City on November 8, 2004.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
1996: Rockettes' "Singing in the Rain" Costume
The Rockettes' blue-and-white "Gershwin Boa" costume by Erté, a Russian-born French artist and designer, debuted in 1990.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
1999: Rockettes' "Velvet March" Costume
The Rockettes' pink "Singing in the Rain" costume by Frank Krenz debuted in 1996.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
1999: Rockettes' "City Rhythm" Costume
The Rockettes' blue patriotic costume "Velvet March" designed by Deborah Newhall debuted in 1999.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
2003: Rockettes' "Mirror" Costume
The Rockettes' “City Rhythm” costume designed by Deborah Newhall debuted in 1999. In this image, the Rockettes perform during the 4th Annual "Broadway Under the Stars" in Bryant Park on June 13, 2005, in New York City.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
2012: Rockettes' "Project Runway" Costume
The Rockettes' "Mirror" costume designed by Gregg Barnes debuted in 2003. In this image, Radio City Rockettes Katie Hamrah and Natalie Reid attend the Radio City Christmas Spectacular opening night at Radio City Music Hall in November 2011.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
2000s to Today: Rockettes' "New York at Christmas"
In season 10 of Lifetime's "Project Runway," contestants created costumes for the Rockettes. Designer Christopher Palu created the winning design that features the New York City skyline.
The Rockettes wore Palu's design while attending "America's Got Talent" season 8 post show finale red carpet event at Radio City Music Hall on September 18, 2013, in New York City.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
2013: Rockettes' "Snow" Costume
The Rockettes perform "New York at Christmas" in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular wearing festive red and green costumes.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
The Rockettes' "Snow" costumes designed by Gregg Barnes are new to Radio City Christmas Spectacular in 2013. Each costume is unique: there are six different colors and six different styles, so each of the 36 Rockettes on stage wear a slightly different costume. Like snowflakes, no two are the same.
Read more about the costumes in Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Interview with a Rockette: Vintage Costumes, Tap Shoes & More.
See other Rockettes' costumes at Rockettes.com.
Keep up with the latest vintage clothing news on Twitter @trendyjenny, Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ and Instagram.