Category Archives: Pointe Shoes
I’ve Never Had Pointe Shoes Before!
We often get this comment when people are starting out with their pointe shoes.
Incidentally, they are not ‘point-ey’ shoes: ‘pointe’ is a French word meaning tip, because you stand on the tip of your toes (‘en pointe’) so you do not pronounce the last ‘e’. It’s pronounced like the English word, ‘point’,
In any case, these are very special shoes made of layers of glue and satin. A few layers of these are placed on to a mould, and then Read More...
How are Pointe Shoes made?
Pointe shoes involve a complex manufacturing process requiring great expertise. Each manufacturer uses unique methods and designs; however, most pointe shoes are made using basic components and a basic form. The upper part of the shoe (the body) is sewn together from several pieces of satin. There often is a lining made of cotton.
A toe box is created on the body from many layers of paste and burlap. Typically, a sole has three parts: the outer sole, the insole and the shank. Read More...