Ballet Pointe Shoes
Ballet Pointe Shoes
History had it that 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 ballet pointe shoes were based on “straights” worn for ballroom dancing and without blocking in the toe.
Now, let us take a peep into these modern ballet pointe shoes from famous brands.
* Bloch’s Ballet Pointe Shoes
Aspiration
It’s not just the price that is going to make you like this shoe. It was specifically designed for the beginner. This features a strong, flexible palate for maximum support and longevity. The shank is a new construction which encourages the shoe to bend at three quarter while still providing support. It offers a large balancing platform while maintaining aesthetics.
Sonata
This is designed for students and features a high and wide toe platform. These shoes make the dancer feel lifted from the floor when on pointe. The arch support is felt right under the front section of the heel. Both these factors combine to make the dancer feel suspended by the shoe and very planted on pointe. The Sonata, like the Serenade, has a tapered heel for a snug fit.
Serenade
The shoe has a similar shape to the Sonata, the heel is narrow and fits snugly. The platform is wider so it is 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 or swayed back legs find that they fall forward off their pointe shoes. The Serenade compensates for this with a longer vamp and stronger shank.
* Capezio’s Ballet Pointe Shoes
Plie I
Refined and responsive, this shoe features a moderate shank and a moderate toe box for normal toe configuration. Perfect for students of all levels with elastic drawstring.
Tendu II
Featuring a light shank and a broad toe box, this shoe is designed to accommodate for broader toe configuration. It is a fine, responsive shoe for advanced students and professionals.
Glisse Pro
Dance like a pro with the Glisse Pro series. Glisse Pro is built on the same last as the Glisse and features a broad, feathered and hand-molded toe box and a higher platform. This unique pattern features a U-shaped throat with 1/4” lower sides and 1/8” lower back height.
* Grihko’s Ballet Pointe Shoes
Maya
A very versatile shaped box which accomodates feet with even lengthy toes that are slightly tapered. Made on the same last as the Ulanova I, it has a 3/4 shank available in soft, medium and hard. It facilitates rolling through demi-pointe. Hand balanced, they provide perfect placement when en pointe.
Fouette
The Grishko Fouette has a broad box and a wide platform, similar to the Ulanova I. This lightweight shoe is preferred by dancers who wish to feel closer to the floor. It is an excellent shoe for wider, square shaped feet and it is also a good choice for short toes, toes of even length and wide feet with normal heels. The vamp is cut slightly lower to help highlight the dancer’s arch.
Ulanova
The vamp on this model is medium height and fits many different types of feet. It is a good shoe for dancers with long toes who might have a tendency to “go over” in another shoe. This lightweight shoe is shaped like the Foutte which is available with or without drawstrings.
These ballet pointe shoes will not bring you down. These specially marked brands have been tried and tested since 1880’s.
