Although young children are being exposed to a greater number of influences these days, there are some things that seem to remain constant. Young boys love football, cars and getting muddy. Those are not things that many young girls are particularly fond of, but there are a number of things they do like to do. Regardless of what decade it is, ballet has always been extremely popular and this does not appear to be changing any time soon. Perhaps it is the similarity of the ballet costume to the idea of what a Princess wears that appeal greatly to a young girl. There is also the idea that they may love dancing and the opportunity to express themselves. It should also be considered that many mothers are keen to encourage their daughters into ballet as it is something they enjoyed as a child, and is perhaps something they wish to experience again. No matter what the reasons are for a young girl liking ballet, the opportunity to get dressed up and perform is too good to pass up. One of the most important parts of any ballet outfit is definitely the pointe shoe and these are very popular, even with women who do not dance. These shoes have become a fashion statement and even a style icon, and although traditionally found in pink with straps, they now come in a whole variety of styles and looks. Again, this may be taking from the fact that women love to look like ballerinas and this is an extremely potent style to follow but there is no doubt that these shoes are adored the world over. Part of their enduring popularity is the fact that they manage to combine fashion with functionality, and this automatically means that many different types of people will be interested in wearing them. Any market which can appeal to a number of different groups and people is always going to be onto a winner, and pointe shoes definitely have that going for them.Ballet requires a lot of movements and can also force any ballet dancer up onto their toes for a considerable period of time so there is a big need for any footwear to be strong, supportive, flexible and indeed comfortable. This is actually quite a tall order for any type of footwear but this is why pointe shoe are easily the forerunner in the market. If another type of footwear came along and was fashionable and functional, it may well be there would be some competition in the industry but as tradition has grown stronger, it is unlikely that the typical outfit of a ballet dancer will change. However, as opinions freshen and new looks are taken about ballet, there are likely to be even more innovative and interesting ideas about the footwear and the style will change shape. This is great for those who want to move with the times but it is also fair to say that there will always be a market for the more traditional ballet footwear.
Few fans of ballet appreciate the fact that the French Revolution was as much a turning point for modern dance as it was for history. From this point forward, ballet dancers abandoned heeled shoes and heavy costumes in favor of lighter, flat-soled slippers, pointe shoes, and flesh-colored tights that allowed performers more freedom. French artists enjoyed some success in spreading a new level of theatrical performance to a wider audience in other countries. Charles Didelot, a Swedish second-generation dancer who studied and performed in France and Russia around 1800, was the impetus for ballet’s evolution toward dancing ‘en pointe’ – meaning “on the toes.” The en pointe technique requires great stability and strength, since the entire weight of the body is precariously balanced on the rigid points of one or both feet. Didelot’s performances as a dancer and choreographer were unique and expressive. He is credited with advancing the art form with innovations and developments in style and costume. He created a “flying machine” of rigged wires that carried dancers into the air to make them appear weightless. Audiences were delighted, and came to expect these graceful but challenging movements in dance.The invention of pointe shoes would give dancers the support they required to perform. This new type of footwear would become a most significant innovation, as the difficulty associated with en pointe ballet maneuvers like pirouettes, arabesques, and attitudes required skill, strength, agility, and grace. The shoes evolved with a flat toe box as a platform to develop calf and leg muscles as they progressed with dance.Pointe shoes are a necessary evil in modern ballet, though not durable, for students will wear through shoes in months, and professionals can wear out a pair in a single performance. Because of this, some professionals receive shoe allowances in their contracts. Freed of London, Gaynor Minden, and Bloch are the major distributors for the world’s leading ballet companies and academies.A proper fit is essential for maximum support, and the process of breaking pointe shoes in is intricate. The simplest way to do this is during the initial fitting, by locating the point on the foot where the heel ends and the arch begins. This section is then gently worked by hand on both sides to establish a breaking point for the shoe’s sole and shank, affording the dancer a better fit and more support. As the performer uses the shoe, the sole and the heel will break down here first, rather than further down the shank toward the toes. If this is not done, the gap between shoe and foot in that critical area will create an unstable environment in use that increases the risk for injury and premature wear. Even the best fitting shoes sometimes need extra support to address specific problems with individual toes or to prevent blisters, corns, and calluses that are a result of the tremendous pressure placed on a dancer’s feet. Ballet dancers suffer from many foot ailments as an occupational hazard, even with well-fitting pointe shoes that have been broken in. Manufacturers of pointe shoes manufacturers are conscious of these issues. They design a wide variety of accessories used by students and advocated by teachers and trainers. Toe pillows and pads, tape, bunheads, “ouch pouches,” and spacers are made for the purpose of increasing foot support and reducing skin irritations and soreness around the toes.
