Master pointe shoe fitter Josephine Lee of the California-based ThePointeShop explains some of the surprising reasons why dancers might have a hard time getting over their pointe shoes.
Pointe Shoe Fitting Tips for Getting Over Your Ankles
Master pointe shoe fitter Josephine Lee of the California-based ThePointeShop catches up with Moscow-based Russian State Ballet Theater dancer Matisse Love to hear all of her pointe shoe hacks, particularly her tips for pancaking. Before joining Russian State Ballet Theater, Love, a Los Angeles native, graduated from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy and had a recurring role on the TV show Bunheads.
Houston Ballet principal Jessica Collado recalls dancing Giselle's Myrtha on an outdoor stage in the thick of a Texan summer. "At the beginning of the act my shoes still had some life in them, but when I bourréed off to go to my grave at the end, there was literally nothing left of them," she says. "They completely died."
While some pointe shoe brands are built with synthetic materials (making them longer lasting), most shoes are still made out of organic components like burlap and paper, which are incredibly susceptible to humidity. "The more moisture there is, either in the air or from your foot sweating, the faster your shoes will break down," says ThePointeShop founder Josephine Lee. Whether you're spending your summer performing outdoors or training in a crowded studio, muggy weather will have a huge impact on your shoes. Here are some tips to make it through.
If you have a shank that twists off your heel, this is the video for you.
This week, Josephine Lee of the California-based ThePointeShop discusses twisting shanks, plus, how your feet change over time and why it's important to get fitted regularly.
This week, Master pointe shoe fitter Josephine Lee of the California-based ThePointeShop talks fitting dancers in their first pair of pointe shoes. She compares two models to share what's crucial for first-time dancers on pointe.
Master pointe shoe fitter Josephine Lee of the California-based ThePointeShop is back with advice on vamp length. She explains how to figure out the right vamp length for you based on the dimensions of your foot, and the advantages and disadvantages of different vamp lengths. Plus, some tricks of the trade regarding lambswool toe pads.
Master pointe shoe fitter Josephine Lee of the California-based ThePointeShop dives into pointe shoe sinking: what it is, why it happens, and what you can do to avoid it. Plus, Lee shares some thoughts on toe pad thickness.
Master pointe shoe fitter Josephine Lee of the California-based ThePointeShop chats (in Korean!) with Joffrey Ballet artist Gayeon Jung before a performance of Anna Karenina earlier this year to hear all of her pointe shoe hacks and customizations. Jung shares her thoughts on Gaynor Minden verse Freed, why she rotates between different shank strengths, and the joy she felt when she saw her name stamped on the bottom of her shoes for the first time.
This week, master pointe shoe fitter Josephine Lee of the California-based ThePointeShop answers another of your pointe shoe questions: "How come my pointe shoes fit perfectly at the fitting and don't anymore at home?" Lee explains the ways that your feet change throughout the day and the year, and the importance of trying your shoes on under different conditions.
Working with dancers in the pre-professional division at Ballet West Academy, master pointe shoe fitter Josephine Lee of the California-based The Pointe Shop shares all of her best tips for fitting dancers with long, tapered toes.
Working with dancers in the pre-professional division at Ballet West Academy, master pointe shoe fitter Josephine Lee of the California-based The Pointe Shop shares all of her best tips for fitting dancers with short toes and short feet.
This week, master pointe shoe fitter Josephine Lee of the California-based The Pointe Shop answers another of your pointe shoe questions: "I personally don't have very flexible feet. I started pointe a year ago, so I was wondering if you could talk about fitting for inflexible/beginner feet?" Lee explains the importance of ankle verse foot flexibility, and tips on what to do if you're not getting all the way over the platform of your shoes.
