Written by: Mimi McKinnis
When students start to dream of being ballerinas, the vision in their heads is usually the same: Big platter tutu skirt, an elaborate beaded bodice, a bright spotlight as they twirl center stage in front of a big audience—and of course, those beautiful satin pointe shoes. It’s part of every little dancer’s dream, and why being put on pointe is such an exciting milestone in every ballet dancer’s journey. As a new round of Turning Pointe students anxiously prepares for their pointe evaluation next month, let’s take a look at this quintessential accessory in the ballet dancer’s arsenal:
1. The first pair of pointe shoes was invented in 1795.
Known as “the flying machine,” the predecessor to today’s modern pointe shoes was created by French dancer-turned-choreographer Charles Didelot toward the end of the 17th century. His apparatus allowed dancers to rise to their toes, giving the illusion of taking flight on stage. Other choreographers took notice and engineers began developing models more similar to modern-day pointe shoes. Today there are more than 80 different brands of pointe shoes worldwide, including one patented by Bill Nye, the Science Guy.
2. Italian ballerina Marie Taglioni is credited as the first person to dance a full-length production on pointe.
In 1832, Taglioni, a central figure in the Romantic era of ballet, danced on pointe as she premiered La Sylphide—a production choreographed by her father, Filippo Taglioni. While other dancers had gone atop their toes on stage as a “stunt,” Taglioni incorporated it into her dancing, using her toes to accentuate the performance. The use of her feet and shoes conveyed character and emotion rather than being seen merely as a trick, which inspired other Romantic-era performers to follow suit. Want to know more? Look up Fanny Elssler to learn about how pointe work developed in the years following Taglioni’s performance!
3. Pointe shoes are composed of five elements.
Unlike simple ballet slippers, it takes a lot to get a dancer up on their toes. First there’s the vamp, which lays across the top of the toes. The size and shape of the vamp varies in each style of shoe, and is chosen depending on the dancer’s foot shape, toe length and technique through demi-pointe. Then there’s the wings, which extend the vamp around the sides of the toes, and the platform (situated between the toes and the floor when the foot is fully extended), which allows dancers to balance on their toes. The platform, wings and vamp are collectively known as the box (or block), and the shank travels up the bottom of the foot like the sole of a shoe.
4. Most pointe shoes are handmade.
While they feel sturdy and stiff at first, just ask any pointe dancer (or take a look at their feet!), most pointe shoes are made by hand with simple materials like leather, satin, cardboard and glue. Once purchased, even more careful craftsmanship goes into each pair as dancers sew their own elastic and ribbons to meet their own unique needs. Want to see the process? Check out National Geographic’s look at the making of Freed of London.
5. Going on pointe is a really big deal!
It might seem like stating the obvious, but being put on pointe is a right of passage for any ballerina. It’s something worked for and earned, not just a shoe purchase. Students typically need to train in ballet for several years, then meet age and growth requirements before being considered. Most studios require complete pre-pointe training and an evaluation to ensure the student is ready for pointe in order to prevent injury and long-term damage to the feet.
If you or your student is interested in progressing to pointe work, check out the requirements, process and expectations (and some FAQs) here. Can’t wait to get started? We offer pre-pointe during the summer sessions… registration opens April 15!