Shoes, shoes, shoes....
With all the rehearsals, training and shows I tend to go through many, many shoes. To prepare a pair of points it takes time, that we might not have. Dancers tend to be busy. It was essential to find an easy and safe way to get my point shoes ready quickly.
I always have a new pair of shoes in my bag, elastics, sewing kit and scissors that I can quickly get ready for a rehearsal. We can't wear shoes that are to soft as they can lead to injuries.
About the shoe.
C.Pro 90 Special, 4, XXX, Wineglass, Heel Pin
I have been wearing the same costume made shoe from Freed for over than ten years already. Finding the perfect shoe that fits and feels good to dance in can take a long time and search. I danced through many different brands from Bloch to Grishko's, Sansha and, and, and... I was introduced to Freed when I danced in London at the "Royal Ballet School". I walked inside the store, they looked at my feet, took the measurements and tried some different pairs on till we found the one that fitted. This is a process that takes time. Good to have a couple hours available the day planning to get shoes.
The shoe that I use on stage is different than the one in class. I have elastics, ribbons and they are calamine'd to look good for the performance.
For rehearsals they only have elastics on them. I criss cross them like the flat shoes we use in class. This gives them a good hold so they don't fall of the heel. The shoes are already pre-glued with jet glue or Shellac so they stay hard for a longer period of time. It takes roughly ten to fifteen minutes to sew the elastic on them plus another five minutes to break them in. I try to keep them as hard as possible for class as they will be soft after the adagio in class. When getting home after rehearsals the shoes go straight into the freezer. Not gonna lie our freezer has more shoes in it than food.
To keep the shoes lasting longer I keep at least five pairs ready to change and rotate throughout the week.
Attached a little video of the process on how I prepare my point shoes.
Enjoy xxx
Happy New Year
Joëlle Vivienne Aeby
댓글