Pointe Shoe Info
| Q. | What size will my child wear? |
| A. | Every brand and style of pointe shoes fits differently. A pointe shoe is designed to give dancers ultimate support, placement, and comfort. To achieve this goal the dancer needs to be properly fitted by a professional who can determine the best model and size for that dancer. The style of shoe a dancer needs is determined by the shape of her foot (particularly the length of her toes), her strength, and the manner in which her teacher instructs her to go on pointe. Normally the shoes are fitted 2 ½ to 3 sizes smaller than street shoes in most brands. Some of the Capezio pointe shoes are fitted the same as the street shoe size. There are also several different widths for each shoe as well. |
| Q. | Do I need an appointment to be sized for pointe shoes? |
| A. | Appointments are not required, but highly suggested. Fitting a dancer for a pointe shoe takes individual attention and can be timely. By scheduling an appointment you can be guaranteed to receive the personal attention needed to properly fit a pointe shoe. |
| Q. | How long will my pointe shoes last? |
| A. | After use a dancer should dry their shoes completely to maximize the longevity of their shoes. We recommend stuffing the shoes with paper towels and letting them dry for three days to keep the shoe’s shape while they air dry. |
| Q. | My child is really growing, can we have growing room? |
| A. | No, It is very important that a child has a pointe shoe that fits their foot properly. Any slipping inside the shoe could leave the foot unsupported and vulnerable to injury. The dancer’s toes should be just touching the end of the toe shoe box without being pushed back while in a demi-plie position. When the dancer is up on pointe there should be a slight pinch of fabric at the heel. |
| Q. | How do I sew on the ribbons? |
| A. | 1. Fold down the seam of the shoe toward the insole. 2. Ribbons must be stitched exactly at the angle where the fold meets at each side of the shoe. 3. Ribbons should slat slightly forward so they lie flat over the instep. 4. Repeat steps one through four for the other shoe. |
| Pointe Shoe Definitions | |
| Box- The sturdy compartment for a dancer’s toes which provides the support standing on pointe shoes requires. | |
| Side Wings - Side wings are an extension of the box and provide lateral support. | |
| Vamp - The vamp is the section of the shoe “upper” measured from the platform back to the and including the binding. A longer vamp can help draw the foot closer to the shank for more support on pointe, so that the foot does not overextend. | |
| Throat - The open area located between side seams at the center front of the shoe is the throat. It gives shape to the upper which accentuates a dancer’s arch. | |
| Platform - The exterior, flat end of the box which allows the dancer to stand on pointe is the platform. | |
| Crown - The crown is the vertical height between the vamp and the sole. | |
| Stay - The fabric that covers the seam in the back of the shoe at the dancer’s heel is the stay. | |
| Shank - This is the backbone of the pointe shoe. It is located under the socklining and provides support to the arch. A dancer’s strength and technical ability determine shank preference. | |
| History of a Pointe Shoe | |
| The
impending arrival of the French Revolution brought ballet away from
the courtly costumes of the past. This over-all change combined with
the increasingly technical demands of dance meant that shoes were
needed to meet the demands. The first pointe shoes were based on
"straights" worn for ballroom dancing and without blocking in the
toe. Specialized shoemakers popped up in every city that had a ballet company. The most famous shoemakers were found in Paris. Janssen, of Jannssen of Paris, was the most well known and was the maker of Taglioni's shoes. A close rival was Crait, who started in Lyons in 1823 but moved his operation to Paris in 1850. His shoes were greatly sought after and the great Adel Grantzan, from the Maryinsky Theatre, ordered her shoes exclusively from him. In 1879, he became official supplier to the Paris Opera Ballet. This Ballet Revolution saw the founding of many more pointe shoe firms including Ebermann of Berlin, Romeo Niccolini of Milan, Capezio in New York (1887), Gamba in London, Anello & Davide, & Frederich Freed. Some were created by accident, Salvatore Capezio, for example, was asked to make a replacement pair of shoes for danseur Jean de Reske when he was performing in Romeo & Juliet. With Capezio's shoe shop located near the Metropolitan Opera, and the prospect of more projects like this one Capezio decided to specialize in ballet shoes. The London based firm Gamba Ltd. was formed by an Italian waiter in 1894. Luigi Gamba is famed for designing shoes for Pavlova and Nijinsky. Dancers have their favorite shoe makers known by their makers stamp, and are fiercely attentive to the quality of their shoes as the tiniest variation in paper or glue in the box can mean the difference between agony and comfort. The weight of pointe shoes has also changed. Emma Livry danced in shoes, which weighed 34 grams each, whereas, Anna Pavlova's more modern blocked shoes weighed 74 grams. Makers pay great attention to their craft and can remold the lasts with plaster to change the last for a dancer's individual foot shape. The shoes are created in a very short amount of time but the treatment of the toe block requires it to be baked in a special oven at 140 degrees F(60C) for 14 hours. Dancers go through several pairs of shoes per week and they rarely last longer than one performance. |
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| Ponte Shoe Brands and Styles | |
| Bloch | |
| Amelie- Bloch’s Amelie is an introductory pointe shoe, designed to help support the foot and ankle of a student new to pointe work. The shank is graded in strength to allow the dancer to roll onto pointe with ease and the wide platform helps to stabilize the foot and ankle while on pointe. The gently curved sides of the box encourage the foot into correct alignment, while flattering the line of the leg and ankle. | |
| Axis- The Axis is a tapered shoe that looks delicate, light, and beautiful on pointe. It is a quieter shoe with cushioned pleats to reduce noise. Its aesthetic features include a “U” shaped vamp, flat streamlined toe and lowered sides and angled seaming to minimize bagginess and creasing. The Axis is made on a curved last so there are more contact points between it and the dancer’s foot. Moreover the pleating on the underside of the platform is fine and flat, and the transition from the underside of the platform to the platform itself is softened with a slight curve for ease when rolling through on pointe and releve. The Axis comes with a TMT toe box and shank allowing the dancer to drastically accelerate the breaking-in process. | |
| Heritage- The Heritage is a Russian inspired classical pointe shoe with a V-shaped vamp. It is streamlined and light with a large platform providing greater control on pointe for ease of balancing and turning and a medium strength composite insole for support that still allows demi. The Heritage is made on a last with a gradual and evenly distributed curve, so the shoe hugs and supports the foot on pointe creating an articulated “cashew” shape. Flat pleating and an outsole that neatly integrates into the shoe create a smooth surface to give the dancer greater stability when running, walking, or standing on flat. | |
| Serenade- The Serenade pointe shoe has a similar shape to the Suprima and Sonata with a narrow heel and snug fit. The platform is wider and better suited to a dancer with square shaped toes. This also helps lateral balance and assists dancers who are inclined to “sickle” or fall off pointe sideways. Often a dancer with flexible feet and/or swayed back legs find that they fall forward of their pointe shoes. The serenade compensates this with a longer vamp and stronger shank. | |
| Serenade MKII- The Serenade MKII is similar to the original Serenade with a few improvements. The sides of satin upper have been lowered to reveal more of the dancer’s foot enhancing aesthetic, providing a more modern, streamlined look as well as reducing bunching of satin when on pointe. The new generation insole is virtually unbreakable creating harder wearing, longer life, and better value for money, lighter, molds quicker to the slope of a dancers arch giving greater support when on pointe. Also forces the shoe to sit flatter on stage reducing rocking and enhancing stability. Additional padding under pleating makes these shoes quieter by cushioning impact on stage reducing noise. | |
| Sonata- The Sonata like Serenade and Suprima, has a tapered heel for snug fit, the platform is as wide as the serenade, but taller which makes it a good balancing shoe. The Sonata has many distinct features. The first being, the box is slightly shorter, to allow for an easier demi-pointe. The box also contains a cushion within the pleats to cut down on noise and a sponge inside the toe at the platform for extra comfort and protection. The shank is strong yet malleable and less likely to “snap” when broken. Another difference in the shank is that it contains no tack or glue on the heel which allows the shank to bend more easily at ¾, resulting in the dancer feeling lifted and supported straight under the arch. | |
| Sonata MKII- The Sonata MKII is similar to the original Sonata with a few improvements. The sides of the satin upper have been lowered to reveal more of the dancer’s foot enhancing aesthetic, providing a more modern, streamlined look as well as reducing bunching of satin when on pointe. The new generation insole is virtually unbreakable creating harder wearing, longer life, and better value for money, lighter, molds quicker to the slope of a dancers arch giving greater support when on pointe. Also forces the shoe to sit flatter on stage reducing rocking and enhancing stability. Additional padding under pleating makes these shoes quieter by cushioning impact on stage reducing noise. | |
| Capezio | |
| Glisse -The Glissé features a broad, "feathered", hand-molded toe-box with a wide platform and long vamp. It's U-shaped throat allows the dancer to roll straight from flat to pointe with more support, more comfort and a better overall line. Built with a hard #3 shank and suede socklining. | |
| Grishko | |
| 2007- A V-shaped medium vamp with a drawstring medium platform, machine-stitched suede sole. The new anatomical form is extremely supportive and comfortable for all kinds of feet. The specially designed extra light model with a suede machine-stitched sole provides a transition from the demi-pointe to the and back. The shoe is distinguished by perfect balance and placement, outstanding durability, lack of noise and perfect comfort. | |
| Fouette- The Fouette accommodates the Russian technique of “springing” onto pointe which develops a more elastic foot and teaches concentration of balance of the body on one spot. The shoe has a V-shaped medium vamp and fits standard feet. The medium toe platform, similar to the Ulanova I, provides perfect balance and placement. The shoe is entirely handmade and is preferred by dancers who wish to feel closer to the floor. This is an excellent shoe for wider, square shaped feet. Also a good choice for short toes, toes of even length, and wide feet with normal heels. | |
| Elite- An ideal choice for a dancer who has wide, square feet and a normal or low arch. The broad platform is excellent for balance on pointe, offering optimal stability. The shoe had a U-shaped low vamp that provides perfect fit and comfort. The Elite is not pre-arched, and like other Eleve models, it allows an easy transition from demi-pointe to pointe and back. | |
| Ulanova I- The Ulanova I is made on the same last as the Fouette, however unlike the Fouette, the Ulanova I is an eleve model pointe shoe which allows the dancer to roll-through pointe. This shoe has a versatile box which is good for dancers with short toes, toes of even length, and wide feet with normal heels. The Ulanova I’s vamp is a medium height and fits many different types of feet. | |
| Ulanova II- This all hand-made shoe features a V-shaped, deep vamp. This a great pointe shoe for those with longer toes, especially those with a second toe that is longer than their big toe. The shoe has a narrow toe platform, and is ideal for those with a wide metatarsal area with narrow heels. | |
| Repetto | |
| #207 La Bayderre- This shoe features a somewhat tapered box with a medium-short length vamp and a low profile. The shank is a full carbon fiber shank that is available in medium and hard strengths. | |
| Prima Soft | |
| Royale- This is a perfect “V” shaped shoe for the dancer who loves the feel of an American shoe but likes the style of a Russian shoe. The Prima Soft exclusive Perfect Placement toe box and the Graduated Shank, the Royale fits narrow, medium, or wide feet very well. Dancers with a “shallow foot” construction will find the Royale gives them excellent support without gapping. The balance and placement on this shoe is excellent and extremely comfortable. The design of the Royale enables this shoe to be worn by a wide variety of foot types. Dancers with moderate to semi high arches will find that the Royale shows excellent foot articulation. Dancers with a high arch or instep will find Royale helps to keep them from rolling or knuckling and their feet are beautifully supported in the shoe. | |
| Sansha | |
| Recital- The Recital pointe shoe is suited for square toes or a Grecian foot. It has a medium strength box, and a wide platform for better balance on pointe. | |
| Leo’s | |
| Inspiration- The Inspiration is crafted from supple pink satin with a full length outer sole for comfortable foot flattering support. Pliant, full length red board shank in medium weight provides confidence and consistency. Scored leather outer sole provides smooth releve, relaxed demi pointe and easier break-in of shoe. Quiet toe box that is broader in shape for increased stability and enhanced assurance on pointe. | |