Tel:- 07811 689577

Fitting pointe shoes is  a professional and specialist skill, which requires industry knowledge, patience and persistance. Here at Direct Dancewear we believe that we strive to these goals and have over 10 years of experience, supplying pointe shoes to dancers across Scotland. We are continually commited to developing our skills and keeping up with the latest changes in pointe shoe manufacturing. Over the years, we have attended seminars with Grishko®, Freeds® and Gaynor Minden®.

Pointe shoes have become an integral part of ballet training and performance. Just as each dancer has a unique pair of feet, each dancer should have the opportunity to find their unique pair of shoes. Pointe shoes are the dancer’s tools of the trade and the correct shoes will help you avoid injury and enable you to give your best possible performance.  As every pair is different, it is vitally important that students have their shoes professionally fitted before purchasing. We feel that in partnership with you, we have a duty of care to ensure that students are fitted with safely fitting shoes.

We take the time with every client to ensure every customer goes away with the a shoe that supports the needs of the dancer.

Direct Dancewear is a mobile pointe shoe fitting service throughout Glasgow Ayrshire Edinburgh The Lothian’s and Fife.  We have been fitting pointe shoes for over 10 years and have had experience with all kinds of dancers. Past clients have included students from; Dance School of Scotland, Scottish Ballet Associates, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Scottish Dance Theatre to name but a few.

Direct Dancewear:

·      Come to your classes at a suitable time for your school

·      Bring a variety of brands, sizes and widths of pointe shoes

·      Supply and advice on padding and preparation to begin pointe work

·      Allow students to try all makes and styles of pointe shoes in a  comfortable environment with the

dance teacher present.                 

·      Work in partnership with the teacher to ensure that you are satisfied with every fitting

·      Provide a patient and personal customer service experience

·      Provide an information sheet on pointe shoes for students

As feet grow in strength and ability, we can find the correct shoes for every stage of the developing dancer and advise on all the different options available. Direct Dancewear is committed to finding the right make and size of pointe shoes for you, regardless of the amount of time required to do this.

Product List- Pointe Shoes

 

 

Serrenade BL139:

A wide platform shoe for balancing en pointe. Long vamp and firm shank.

Vamp	Long/ high U shape
Shank	Medium or Strong
Sizes Available (UK street size)	1- 8
Widths Available	Narrow- extra wide (B-E)

 

Grishko 2007              

U-shaped medium vamp shoe, high heel height and assists in the transition from three-quarter pointe onto pointe.

Vamp	U shape
Shank	Medium or Strong
Sizes Available (UK street size)	1-8
Widths Available	X Narrow- Wide (x-xxxxx)

 

Grishko Triumph

LATEST style from Grishko. Lightwieght with wider platform, assists in the transition from three-quarter pointe to pointe. Anti-slip sole, low heel height, supportive wings and U shape vamp. 

Vamp	U shape
Shank	Medium or Strong
Sizes Available (UK street size)	1-8
Widths Available	X Narrow- Wide (x-xxxxx)

 

Freed Classic

The most popular pointe shoe in the world- hand made in England.

Vamp	Low/ square
Shank	Light, Medium or Strong
Sizes Available (UK street size)	1-8
Widths Available	Medium- Wide (0-xxx)

 

Freed Classic Pro

Newest model with elastic drawstring. V vamp and reinforced box.

Vamp	Low/ square
Shank	Medium or Strong
Sizes Available (UK street size)	1-8
Widths Available	Medium- Wide (0-xxx)

 

 

Other brands/ models are available upon request. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information.

 

 

Product List- Soft Pointes

 

Statement

Freed Classic

Vamp shape	Low/ square
Sizes Available (UK street size)	1-8
Widths Available	Medium- Wide (0-xxx)

 

 

Statement

Grishko exam demi

Vamp shape	V. high
Sizes Available (UK street size)	1-8
Widths Available	X narrow- Wide (x-xxxxxx)

 

 

Statement

Bloch BL135

Vamp shape	U low
Sizes Available (UK street size)	2-8
Widths Available	Medium- Wide (B-C)

 

 

 

Pointe Shoe Accessories

·         Pointe shoe ribbon

·         Pointe shoe ribbon with elastic

·         Toe pads with gel

·         Suede toe caps

·         Darning thread

·         Curved needles

·         Crochet toe pads

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Further Information

What to expect:

Prior to the fitting, please ensure your students have their toe nails short. We would also be grateful to hear your view on padding prior to the fitting.  It would be helpful for the girls to wear ballet tights and comfy trousers/ leggings to the fitting.

The fitter will assess the shape and strength of the foot to find a shoe that will provide the best support. The students will be asked to do a demi plié in second to check the length of the shoe, and will place one-foot en pointe to check for a snug fit. We will ensure the shoes aren’t twisting on the foot, to ensure a straight alignment.

For replacement pointe shoes please ask students to bring along their current pair of pointe shoes

 

Taking care of your pointe shoes

Pointe shoes should be hung up and dried somewhere warm i.e a radiator or airing cupboard to dry after they have been used. Feet can really sweat, maybe losing up to ½ pint in an hour, this will lessen the life of a pointe shoe making the box soft and weak. If you do long pointe classes, change your shoes often. Drying out your shoes will strengthen them once again. Before you hang them up to dry, place the shoes back on yout feet to reshape them. A pointe shoe can take up to 24 hours to thoroughly dry out. If you dance pointe everyday you should have more than one pair and alternate wearing them. This will lengthen the life of your shoes. Working in broken shoes can sometimes cause a hairline fracture of the foot.

Never keep your shoes in the plastic bag they came in once danced in. This can cause the shoes to sweat and they will be unable to breathe, causing the shoes to rot and smell. If possible try and carry them in a cotton breathable bag.

 

 

 

 

 

 

All prices are available upon request. If you require any further information, or are interested in a fitting please do not hesitate to contact us on 07811 689577