Freed of London - Components

Components

The last is the mould on which a shoe is constructed. The “box” supports the toe and allows for the dancer to stand en pointe. When the shoe’s box “dies”, i.e. gets soft, that pair of shoes has reached the end of its career. For some professional dancers, pointe shoes only last a performance or two. How long the shoe lasts depends on the strength and shape of the dancer’s foot, the choreography they are dancing, and the strength of the shoe. The platform is the flat part of the box right on which the dancer balances. A crooked or lumpy platform can ruin a performance or class. The smoothness of a platform is key when choosing a maker. The “vamp” refers to the length of the pointe shoe upper, measured from the platform to the drawstring. Normally, longer toes call for a longer vamp. Also, if a dancer has very flexible arches, a long vamp can supply extra support. The “throat” is the shape in which the upper is fashioned, usually either v-cut or round. The drawstring is located within the binding on the throat of the shoe. When specially ordering shoes from a maker, the dancer can request either an elastic or lace drawstring. The pleats are located on the underside of the box where the fabric is folded into the sole. The crown is the vertical height between the vamp and the sole. The pointe shoe is supposed to fit very snug, so if the crown is too tall one’s feet could sink right down into the box. The stay is the fabric that covers the seam on the heel of the shoe. The shank is the backbone of the shoe. Different shanks vary in strength based on what the dancer needs. Freed pointe shoes are known by their signature peach colored satin. A common shoe for the average dancer.