Advertising Angst

Anita Fitter: For all of you wanting chickenfeed, or more pointe shoe ramblings, or other stuff- here is the super duper bizarre rant on pointe shoe makers and their odd way of marketing pointe shoes so that they look absolutely hideous and unattractive on a dancer's foot with no arch. So Arrah, shall we just start alphabetically with Bloch?

Arrah: oh alphabet pointey soup! I love it! ok. So Bloch. Ehh... are you sure that the pictures are really to blame?? lol
Anita Fitter: well, sometimes you have to wonder, but some pictures are just atrocious. For instance- that pic of the Alpha
Arrah: Oy. Yeah. Why do they always pick dancers to model their shoes who have fat heels??! I think the shoes they use in their photos are SMU'd to look good on the dancer's particular feet. Because the heels don't necessarily go down that low on most dancers. And the hyper-extended ankle thing just about makes me gag.
Anita Fitter: That wouldn't surprise me in the slightest. And what is up with Bloch not having pictures of all the shoes they sell as a stock option? I mean, don't dancers in Australia want to know what all is available?
Arrah: That info bit on their website has been an aggravation of mine for quite some time. oh and a slight side note: it's intriguing just how similar the Balance European and the new B Morph look in pics. Weird.
Anita Fitter: Not to mention how atrocious the pic is for the standard Balance shoe and all the pictures for the older shoes need updated because the satin doesn't even look like that anymore.
Arrah: Yep. It doesn't.
Anita Fitter: Take a look at this picture for the Suprima
Arrah: I agree. The Suprima is probably one of their most attractive shoes but they don't give it any credit by having the camera so darn far away. Yes, the dancer has nice legs. But the point of advertising a pointe shoe is to be able to see its specs- not how lovely the dancer's legs are!
Arrah: What I really want to know is how on god's green earth they managed to make that heel on the Axiom not look like a wide ice cream cone on that dancer's foot! The heel padding had to be an issue in that photography session.
Anita Fitter: I think the worst has to be Capezio
Arrah: Oh lordy! Capezio used to have such great photography!!!!
Anita Fitter: and now- it’s awful
Arrah: What happened to them?!!
Anita Fitter: I have no idea
Anita Fitter: their new photos, all the shoes look exactly the same. You know its bad when the Pavlowa looks as square as the Contempora.
Arrah: Now, I can live with that format that they adopted a few years ago where they showed a close-up of one shoe. That I can see as being beneficial, but this new thing they have going on just kills me. I swear it's the same darn shoe or the same darn pic they're using for every single shoe!
Anita Fitter: Well, I know for a fact that they are using the same picture for the Plie and the Tendu 1 and 2 models.
Arrah: Those two shoes are rather similar. I can let them get by with that little bit of sneakiness. But their other shoes are so different that I just truly feel like they're cheating the dancers out of information by doing what they are now.
Anita Fitter: well the Plie I and the Plie II are made on a totally different last. I could see if they were using the same pic for the plie I and the tendu I, but they are using one pic for both Plie models
Arrah: If anything, have one pics for the somewhat-tapered and then another pic for the more square versions of those shoes.
Anita Fitter: Not to mention that you can’t even tell when any of their shoes are tapered... it’s sad.
Arrah: It is!
Anita Fitter: Again, they're cheating dancers out of vital information about their shoes.
Anita Fitter: Well overall, Chacott's pictures are nice; you can see the vamp length, the taper of the box, and the profile height. But not once do they take pictures of the shoes actually on a dancer's foot. A dancer likes to see how a shoe wears.
Arrah: True! The arch is very unique in a Chacott shoe.
Arrah: And the major contributor to my advertising nightmares is.... FREED. So help me, if you can find a decent pic of a Freed Classic I will bake you a cake. Any flavor! Your choice! The closest thing to an arch in any of their photos is of the Studio #1. It's disgusting!! They make your feet look awesome and yet the company itself can't manage to take a photograph of their 'world class' pointe shoes for crap! That's it. I volunteer!
Anita Fitter: I just looked at their current website, and ZOMG!
Freed Of London's Pointe Shoe Page
Arrah: Their site is shweet. Yes. Information galore. But the pics are hateful to the product.
Anita Fitter: In fact, I think the only shoe that shows a definite arch is the demi pointe.
Arrah: Freed, Give us an arch! Show us some beautiful feet in your beautiful shoes!!!!
Anita Fitter: And they are beautiful shoes!
Arrah: SELL THE DAMN SHOES! We already know your reputation! SHOW us just how beautiful they are!
Anita Fitter: OH and the travesty that is Gamba and Repetto- like no advertising. The pictures are beautiful, but you have to order a catalog to see them.
Arrah: GAMBA knows how to use photography to their advantage! I applaud you! My fave Gamba pic is definately that new Stage Pro!
Anita Fitter: It’s a beautiful pic.
Arrah: Makes me wanna get up and dance!
Anita Fitter: And since Gamba and Repetto are joined, the pictures for Repetto are now beautiful too.
Arrah: Beauty rubs off, apparently.
Anita Fitter: Well, since they are now combined into the same company- I'm glad they kept the good photographers.
Arrah: Absolutely!
Arrah: They're pics shoe detail about the shoes. They're precise. And beautiful. Not over the top. But nice.
Anita Fitter: About Grishko, I can only say that their pictures are very pretty. Some show the arch better than others, but otherwise very nice. Do you have any complaints about Grishko?
Arrah: I really can't say that I do. The pics are consistent and informative. It tells all you really need to know about the shoe. Grishko knows their stuff. And they simplify it for dancers so they know exactly what they're getting. I like.
Arrah: Merlet is another pointe maker who gives me nightmares.
Anita Fitter: I think they need some help.
Arrah: What's up with the 'let's leave it on the last' thing?!!! GAHAHAHAHH!
Anita Fitter: That is a very good question... you can't tell a thing about the shoes on the last.
Arrah: Their descriptions suck. They need an interpreter- BAD! Someone who knows pointe shoes and the parts of pointe shoes.
Anita Fitter: Even their new website for the US market- it has no descriptions of the shoes!
Arrah: Oh good grief. If those people could learn how to describe their shoes, they might be dangerous. As it is, all their shoes appear to have the same profile height and mostly the same taper. So.... if you're going to have models that are the same but have different names I feel the need to ask, what the heck is the point? There is none. Dancers get no information from Merlet's pics whatsoever. They'd be fitting themselves blindly by going from the description and pics.
Anita Fitter: I think you've said all that could be said about Merlet- they need some help.
Arrah: So who's our next victim, Anita?
Anita Fitter: Oh Arrah- our fine friends at Prima Soft. Prima Soft's Web Site
Anita Fitter: I'm just going to come out and say it- that picture of the Royale looks like shit.
Arrah: I want to cry when I look at the pics of any and all of Prima Soft’s shoes!
Anita Fitter: And the model for the Vole can even get over onto pointe properly.
Arrah: The Gala's the worst. In some lights I can see people mistaking that shoe for a Baryshnikov!
Anita Fitter: I can totally see that. And you can tell nothing about taper or profile height in any of their pictures.
Arrah: I agree with you on that. The widths of the shoes are frighteningly deceptive when you compare the pics to the actual shoes and their size charts.
Arrah: The Vole pic is the only one that is remotely redeemable. At least it shows a little bit of arch, bearing in mind that they do have two pics of the shoe.
Anita Fitter: Hon- look at the current pictures on Prima Soft's site. They have lost all of the good pictures.
Arrah: Crud. Well, ok. Delete my last nice statement about Prima Soft. lol
Anita Fitter: Ok.
Arrah: I've got a problem with Principal in principal. Sorry. I couldn't resist. Their shoes all look the same!
Anita Fitter: Their pictures definitely aren't the greatest.
Arrah: I dare anyone to see a dancer in either one of their five shoes and try and figure out which model they're in! It just can't be done. I realize that most of the differences are subtle, but geez.... give us a break here.
Anita Fitter: You said it, Arrah.
Arrah: Rommel and Halpe terrify me, Anita. You're going to have to take this one on. I just have no words. None. *hyperventilating*
Anita Fitter: The only thing I can say about Rommel and Halpe is that they ARE the Brazilian makers for Capezio shoes. I think that says it all right there.
Arrah: The pic of the Contempora I makes me wonder what the heck is wrong with that dancer's foot!
Anita Fitter: And in the #21, the dancer can't even get over the box.
Arrah: And the pic of their #18 looks like the dancer is bending her KNEES!!
Anita Fitter: I think we can suffice it to say that Rommel and Halpe are scary.
Arrah: #21 looks like that box is way too high profile for her, it looks like she's skiing.
Anita Fitter: And the picture of the Contempora 1 looks like the shank is broken.
Arrah: Well, it's a longish 3/4. The shoes' just not broken in and/or the dancer isn't pointing her foot.
Anita Fitter: Let's hope they change that- it looks awful. They make great shoes, no doubt. But their models for their pics are terrifying.
Anita Fitter: *shakes head* Ok, what about Russian Pointe and the 3 different Polette models that have 2 different box shapes? The Polette Grande and the standard Polette are both square as hell. Russian Pointe's Web Site
Arrah: *laughs* Yeah. That's a mystery that irks me.
Anita Fitter: But the Polette 3/4 looks somewhat tapered but is described as being square, wtf?
Arrah: Advertising at it's most deceptive....
Arrah: It's a SQUARE SHOE! Admit it!
Anita Fitter: Exactly!
Anita Fitter: And the new pictures of the Almaz.. You can't tell a damn thing. The arch looks nice, and you can see the profile is low, but what shape is the box? It could be tapered or it could be somewhat tapered.
Arrah: Yeah. I definitely want more detailed pics of that shoe. Very um.... Gaynor Minden'ish pleats there, Russian Pointe! Or lack thereof. Nice shoe. But HOW is it different? If it's so freaking revolutionary, please tell the poor saps who're going to be paying good money just how. Wouldn't be too darnn much to ask, ya know?
Anita Fitter: I agree totally, Arrah.
Arrah: Now, I like what Sansha's done with their photography the last few years. They've really been pushing the envelope with the angles and details. The Futura had quite a bit to do with that but hey, whatever works. They have great descriptions and 95% of their pics are decent. Sansha's Web Site
Arrah: The Soprano pic needs some help in showing the box shape.
Anita Fitter: I would have to agree, I don't have much bad to say about Sansha. They are relatively inexpensive, and decent marketing- now if only their heels weren't so low.
Arrah: *big sigh* yes. I must wholeheartedly agree. Their pic of the Partinaire leaves a lot to the imagination. Not good. The dancer's turnout is nice! But we need to see more of the shoe.
Anita Fitter: And the recital pic- you can't see the box squareness very well.
Arrah: And the Legende... oy boy. That is a nice shoe. I wish they could find a way to take a better pic of it.
Anita Fitter: I agree, if only they weren't so concerned with that odd sole
Arrah: Schachtner...... Schachtner just needs help. That's all I have to say about that.
Anita Fitter: They can be a decent shoe, if fitted properly, but their picture- you can't see anything at all.
Arrah: I've never seen an advertising pic of their shoe. Not an ACTUAL shoe.
Anita Fitter: I hear ya. I saw that old advertisement that used a FREED shoe.
Arrah: ROFL Yeah. That was great.
Arrah: Fuzi advertizing seems to be probably one of the most honest out of the bunch. You can see where the box hardness ends. You can see the shape of the box and all the really relevant details. I like em. You know what you're getting! The one thing though that does aggravate the hell out of me though is the differences in the models themselves which are NOT included in the descriptions. In order to find out this info you have to visit their European site. Fuzi's European Web Site
Anita Fitter: For a small time there- the shoes really weren't being made so well, but that seems to have changed. It is a shame that most dancewear stores do not carry their product.
Arrah: True. Very true.
Arrah: They're very durable for their price tag!
Arrah: Are we going to talk about the big G?... Come one, Anita! You know you want to! We can't play alphabet pointe without hitting the G spot! And it's a doozy!
Anita Fitter: Ohhhh you know I'll always talk about big G.
Arrah: G's are fun!
Arrah: Except when it's a G plus an M. Then they're going to be problems.
Anita Fitter: I would like to know why every single GM shoe has the exact same arch....
Arrah: I have to say, I am impressed by their model's ability to balance. It's just too bad that the company doesn't really publish pics of a dancer's foot in profile, showing the arch of a foot completely en pointe. They like to show a cutesy little derriere tendu. Gaynor Minden's Web Site
Anita Fitter: At least their front page is currently showing a movie of different poses.
Arrah: True! I enjoy that!
Anita Fitter: But I think it would be better to place those pictures of the dancers en pointe static somewhere so the dancer can actually see the shoes.
Arrah: I agree.
Anita Fitter: OK... I gotta say it... Leo's has fugly pictures as well as fugly shoes. Leo's Web Site
Arrah: Eugh! Yes!!! The invisible leg/foot thing is getting old. They need to get some new photos pronto.
Anita Fitter: And I never did understand the use of the artist's rendering for the split sole shoe instead of a real picture.
Arrah: Maybe because the pics they tried to take just didn't turn out ... marketable? Heck. I'm lost on that one, too.
Arrah: With the lack of arch the model for the Inspiration 3/4 shoes, I can't quite figure out how she can get over the vamp without cracking the shoe. 'Tis another mystery.
Anita Fitter: OH well... its time to talk about the hideous marketing joke that is So Danca/ Cecilia Kerche. So Danca/ Cecilia Kerche's Web Site
Anita Fitter: I mean, how damn stupid do you have to be to use a different marketing name for certain shoes- then change the name in the middle but still have it connected to So Danca? Talk about confusing as hell.
Arrah: That is a tad bit insane. Dancers appreciate consistency more than anything and if they can't figure what the heck to call the shoe, then how confident can you be that they're not changing other aspects of the shoe? Or why would the bother to do it at all?- a marketing ploy. I say: let the shoes sell themselves! List the specs, give us some good pics, and let the dancers decide if it's right for them!
Anita Fitter: Exactly! Not to mention, take decent pics of the damn shoes- the pics of the new shoe models are just awful.
Arrah: The pic style I like the best and I think show the shoes qualities are what you see for the Pas D'Action and the Nikiya.
Anita Fitter: I would have to agree.
Arrah: The others are just too weirdly angled and confusing to look at. I think that So Danca needs to find one photography style for all their shoes and stick with it for consistency so dancers can compare the shoes in a realistic manner.
Anita Fitter: *shakes head* I couldn't agree more.
Anita Fitter: And stay away from pictures like the Odile- where not a damn thing is shown.
Arrah: Now, Suffolk had a rocky start when it comes to advertising pics. But they've really turned themselves around and in the right direction. Very hands on. They seem to be very concerned with what the dancers think.
Anita Fitter: I would have to agree. Even their new pic of the Apprentice looks nice.
Arrah: Yes!
Anita Fitter: But the all time worst marketing has to be Ushi Nagar, for which no official marketing shots are ever taken.
Arrah: Anita, I just have to say that the few pics that I have seen of his shoes make me cringe in fear.
Arrah: I've heard dancers rave about his shoes- but I wonder if he really can run a business on dancers really not being able to see what his shoes look like.
Anita Fitter: the pictures I've seen, the shoes look quite a bit like the old Eva Martins.
Arrah: Exactly! I can understand if he wants to be specialized and only cater to a few groups of dancers but... yeah! They do, don't they- look like Eva's. A mix of conical and square. In a really weird way.
Anita Fitter: And even the satin color is similar.
Arrah: Yeah, a very strange pink. Maybe the correct description would be broad and rounded?
Anita Fitter: But supposedly you can order anything. So who knows?
Arrah: So maybe the pics we've seen so far are just of a dancer's shoes that are rounded and wide fitting. Anything is possible.
Anita Fitter: *nods* I would have to agree.
Anita Fitter: You know what's really scary, Arrah?
Arrah: What?
Anita Fitter: We have bashed the marketing of just about every single popular pointe maker out there... only very few were we happy with.
Arrah: Um... we'll call this Constructive Criticism.
Arrah: You know what's even scarier? Miguelito's photography reminds me a great deal of Leo's for some reason..... It's got that same feel.
Anita Fitter: Hmm. Miguelito copies GM for shoes and Leo's for marketing- something tells me they aren't the smartest bunch.
Arrah: BUT! We can always head on down to the land of small yippy dogs and tequila and get cheap pointes!
Arrah: See? There is a silver lining to that dark cloud of pointe shoe marketing!
Anita Fitter: And one day, we may just have to do that.

Gaynor Minden & Miguelito

Arah: Alrighty! So, Gaynor Minden and Miguelito. What do they have in common? One pointe shoe!
Anita Fitter: well, they both look very unusual- have a distinct modern look.

Arrah: Plastic! Modern... plastic!
Anita Fitter: absolutely- they both are completely plastic and both have a shank and box that are one piece.

Arrah: They even have the same super low profile tip to the platform and the super shiny elastic binding. Both have outersoles that are VERY short.
Anita Fitter: and both outersoles are that pale grey, not to mention that shark skin looking satin.
Arrah: EUGH. That is some hideous satin. The pic of Miguelito's professional shoe doesn't have a very good angle so we can see the pleats, but my bet is that they don't have pleats at all. I'll bet they’re completely flat.
Anita Fitter: *nods* and I believe that they both have padding on the platform.
Arrah: Hell, even the arch (or lack there of) looks the same!
Arrah: Same heel padding? And on the platform?
Anita Fitter: yup. Since GM has been around since... 93', I suspect that Miguelito decided to make a knock off
Arrah: Cheaper, of course. In Mexico.
Anita Fitter: *nods* yup
Arrah: I wonder if Miguelito's box is harder?
Anita Fitter: I don't know, but from the picture, it looks like the same issue of the box not being long enough is the same as the GM.
Arrah: At least the dancer they used in the photo didn't have a 'wingy' foot type. That would have shown the shoe's flaws right away, though. So, in one aspect- good for them! They know how to take decent photos of their shoes! In another aspect- wouldn't it be nice to be able to see how far up the box hardness goes? That info can be pretty important to dancers.
Anita Fitter: absolutely, but pointe makers’ marketing practices is a whole other entry
Arrah: Well, we're going to have to make an entry on that issue very very soon then!
Anita Fitter: but... what I want to know is- why GM has never settled on their shoe- I mean- they change things like every 3 years
Arrah: Let's make a list of what they changed.

Anita Fitter: the outer sole was originally brown and slightly pebbled. I remember that the hard shank used to be black- now its that bizarre dark ocean blue. The boxing near to the drawstring used to be harder- but they softened it- supposedly to make it feel more like an athletic shoe.
Arrah: and again I say ewww!
Anita Fitter: yup
Arrah: Why not just dance with a cotton sock with the tip dipped in starch, for cryin outloud?!!
Anita Fitter: which is essentially the original pointe shoe. And I've noticed a lack of quality control- they say that their shanks do not break- and I've seen it happen
Arrah: True. But dancers have much better options than that now. And I've broken their HARD shank! And I'm a 110 lbs weakling! Can we agree that literally, the only way to wear a GM is to not have an arch to begin with?
Anita Fitter: I think that is a very good thing to say- GM only makes the arch of a person who has no arch look nice.
Anita Fitter: And the foam padding inside the shoe- what's up with the way it rolls around and comes undone?
Arrah: Yeah?! Every time I've seen that stuff it's shifted over all lopsided and you end up having to rip it out.
Arrah: If the GM works for you- great. But if you're a dancer with even a moderate arch, beware of what can possibly happen with that shoe! oh and btw, I just check with Miguelito and the Criselle student shoe is $33 and the pro shoe is $35. So essentially, if you wanna pay less than an arm and a leg for a pair of GM’s head on over to Mexico! Same darn shoe! But Miguelito says that the shank is "Soft." So what exactly do they mean by that? A GM Hard? Or a Pianisimo? Somewhere in between?
Anita Fitter: And what about the way they are fitted- They want everyone with a wide foot to wear the #4 box, everyone with a medium foot to wear the #3 box, and everyone with a narrow foot to wear the #2 box. Haven’t these people ever heard the term "toe configuration"
Arrah: I doubt they'd answer that question.
Anita Fitter: honestly, it’s hard to tell.
Arrah: If you wanna be technical about it, GM really has three different models and several different widths. It's not that difficult to understand! I think that the fitters were just not trained properly.
Anita Fitter: well, it’s not just that- because the #2 box will not fit on a person with a wide foot and tapered toes- without a compressible foot
Arrah: Exactly!
Anita Fitter: the width measurement- as told to me by a GM exec- is for the heel area only and then the larger the size- the less options there are.
Arrah: WHAt?!
Arrah: The heel area?!
Anita Fitter: you got it! If I didn't have a compressible foot- then I wouldn’t be able to wear them at all.
Arrah: You have a wider foot and the only way you DON'T wear the #3 box is because your foot squishes so much.
Anita Fitter: yes, the heel area
Arrah: In their pics on the site, they show the boxes and the heels getting wider. ok, so... deception?
Anita Fitter: they told me point blank that the width has nothing to do with the box- the boxes are all a standard size and width
Arrah: So what really is the TRUTH here?
Anita Fitter: that Eliza Minden didn’t know how to fit pointe shoes when she designed the shoe and now they are fudging it
Arrah: And she has a pancake flat arch.
Anita Fitter: you got it
Arrah: *sigh*
Anita Fitter: and probably a square toe configuration- and knew nothing about what a tapered or somewhat tapered foot needs.
Arrah: Case in point that just because a DANCER makes a shoe doesn't necessarily make it decent! Principal Pointes are an exception.... I might add.
Anita Fitter: and what type of dancer was she anyway? She never ever danced anywhere. Just in her teens. She could have been at a little recital school for all we know.
Arrah: A... dare we say it? Dolly.... Dolly... come on now! Say it!
Anita Fitter: Dolly Dingle!!!!
Arrah: (ROFL) *snort*
Anita Fitter: well- it’s true, let the truth bite her in the ass
Arrah: or on the toes. The same way her shoes ouch the toes of many out there.
Arrah: Oh and there's a dancer on Blochworld.com who mentioned that she just tried the GM and wondered why it bruised her toenails so badly. The unfortunate answer everyone gave her was the obvious one: the platform is made out of PLASTIC! Plastic doesn't cushion the way linen and glue does. Plastic doesn't conform to a foot for suitable balance and support. I tell ya what- let me go stick my foot in a freaking plastic soda can and call it a GM! I'll pirouette, yes. But I'll break my face.
Anita Fitter: but then there is the whole- Schachtner has a plasticated box- but it does not do to the toes what a GM does- Why? because the GM has no support at all. Chances are, the girl was fitted by her shoe width rather than by the taper of her toes and she’s crashing down into the box of the GM's
Arrah: Not necessarily. I crash down after a while, once the box flattens out. I was fitted for the proper width and box. I put little silicone strips in the inner platform but it still didn't help. And Schachtners are in a class by themselves!
Anita Fitter: well, the box design leaves a lot to be desired anyway. The whole box is pretty flexible. The point of the box of a pointe shoe is to provide support for the dancer- you can’t have complete flexibility and still have decent support
Arrah: The shoe itself is just crap.
Anita Fitter: even runners have to have shanks in their shoes
Arrah: Exactly! The lack of frontal support on the box just makes the entire shoe mush.
Anita Fitter: and when the shank does break- the entire shoe collapses onto itself- providing a breeding ground for broken ankles.
Arrah: Even if you find the perfect shank for your foot you have to deal with the fact that if you have hyper extended ankles then you're definitely going to run the risk of falling forward out of the box.
Anita Fitter: well, I think that it is safe to say- that overall- no matter if Miguelito ripped them off or not- GMs Suck!
Arrah: Oui. Exeunt!

Schachtner and Prima Soft- A Match Made in Hell?

Arrah: The topic of this evening's rant concerns two pointe makers. Schachtner and Prima Soft. Now, Schachter makes several different variations of the same shoe. Schachtners: stinks like a wet dog and cat poo. Prima Soft's Gala: smells... decent. What do these two pointe shoes have in common? They're the SAME DAMN SHOE! Schachtner's made in Germany and Gala is made... where exactly, Anita?
Arrah: Germany?
Anita Fitter: As far as I was told, the Gala was made in Brazil.
Anita Fitter: But that is a whole other issue.
Arrah: Ah yeah! Their Brazilian vacation plans...
Arrah: And while we're THERE, we might as well bring some secret pointe shoe plans with us while we bask in suntan oil!
Arrah: Schachtner started in what? The early 1970's?
Anita Fitter: uh huh.
Arrah: And Prima Soft started when?
Anita Fitter: The company started with tights in the early 1990's, i believe.
Arrah: Gee. For two pointes that feel identical, I don't get the feeling there's an awful lot of financial gain here from Schachtner's designs and Prima Soft's sales.
Anita Fitter: Somehow- I think that someone from Prima Soft decided to copy Schachtner in the making of that shoe.
Arrah: Somehow my feet think you're right, Anita.
Anita Fitter: What is interesting is that no other Prima Soft Brazilian style shoe is made like the Gala/Schachtner copy.
Arrah: I've had both on my feet and they feel exactly the same. The Prima Soft is just cut in a wider width.
Anita Fitter: I've had them both as well- I believe the paste used in the box is a bit different, but the standard Schachtner shank and the medium and hard Gala shanks feel almost exactly identical.
Arrah: I agree with you. The Prima Soft's boxes break down whereas the Schachtners... don't.
Anita Fitter: *nods* and Prima Soft's don't have that awful stench.
Arrah: No inner lining in either shoe, so you're sewing through only one layer of fabric. When you're attaching the ribbons, it becomes a big pain in the rear.
Arrah: What is up with that?! And how in the world did Prima Soft manage to fix it?
Anita Fitter: And Schachtner has a cotton drawstring, Gala has an elastic drawstring.
Arrah: If I'm going to give a pat on the back to Prima Soft for anything, it's that they got rid of the shoe stench.
Anita Fitter: It is cotton backed satin.
Arrah: And it's a pain to sew through for people who like to attach their ribbons in a certain way!
Anita Fitter: And Schachtner's are cotton backed as well, but it has a texture closer to loose potato sack weave.
Arrah: So how do you think Prima Soft managed to market such a shoe, when it is so blatantly a copy of a European shoe that had been in production for over 20 years by that point?
Arrah: Is it that no one cares?
Anita Fitter: Basically, because no one pays any attention. And Schachtner is a more obscure brand in the US, and only professionals really wear them.
Arrah: But wouldn't the professionals say anything?
Anita Fitter: The pro's I've come in contact with, many of them still do not know how to fit their own feet. They wear the shoes the company has a contract with.
Arrah: Why? Because the Gala was in production for X amount of years before they took notice of it because they were so in love with the shoes they were presently wearing?
Arrah: *shakes head*
Anita Fitter: Because prima soft's marketing is crap.
Anita Fitter: It has only been in the last... 5 years that they have stepped it up.
Arrah: Based upon the lack-o-arch, yes. I have to agree that their marketing is crap.
Arrah: God help us.
Arrah: Wonder what shoe they plan on ripping off next?
Anita Fitter: Well, they do have that new En l'air shoe, but since I haven't seen it yet, it's hard to tell.
Arrah: I wonder if Schachtner would respond to this concern and if so, how?
Arrah: I mean, would they holler or just ignore it as a 'part of the pointe shoe business"?
Arrah: And how would Prima Soft react?
Anita Fitter: Well, since Prima Soft copied them, but made changes- they pretty much can get by with it.
Anita Fitter: And then there is that whole patent difference between Austrian and American laws.
Anita Fitter: etc.
Arrah: Gee, "I changed the drawstring! It's my design! I swear!" hehe..
Anita Fitter: And dont forget the lack of stench.
Arrah: So, you change the country of origin and it's ok. That's nice. For Prima Soft. Not for Schachtner.
Anita Fitter: Exactly.
Anita Fitter: And other companies do it too.
Arrah: The lack of stench has to do with whatever material they used for an insole. It's not high tech. I think it's just regular paste board. But the graduated steel shank piece is the same.
Anita Fitter: I think the stink has something to do with the glue in the box as well... if you get them wet- they smell like wet dog butt.
Arrah: Yes, other companies do it. But that doesn't make it right! It's one thing for say Capezio, to have Angelo Luzio make their pointes for distribution in the Canadian market and it's something else entirely when Angelo Luzio just up and says one day, "Hey! I feel like making the Contempora and sticking an Angelo Luzio sticker on it!" Right?
Anita Fitter: I agree.
Anita Fitter: I wasn't saying it's right, just that it happens.
Arrah: Yeah, it's the box as well. I've seen a deconstructed Schachtner and the box and shank are connected. Wouldn't surprise me if they use the same glue under the shank as in the box for strength.
Arrah: I know what you were saying. I was just making a point.
Anita Fitter: I would imagine that they do.
Arrah: Well, if you had your choice, which would you chose and why?
Anita Fitter: I would choose Schachtner, because they last longer- the box not breaking down, and if you spray febreze in them, the stench can be controlled.
Arrah: Me too. And the boxes are narrower and have a lot more combinations available to dancers who have differently shaped feet and needs.

Prima Soft's "Silhouette"

Yahoo Messenger discussion on Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Anita Fitter: let’s see- somewhat tapered, long vamp, medium height profile. complete ripoff of a rusbal. Made from the same glue.
Arrah: Sounds like half of the pointe shoes out there today. The specs, I mean.
Anita Fitter: true
Anita Fitter: but, the drawstring casing is the same as rusbal
Arrah: Same roundness and appearance as a Rusbal…
Anita Fitter: that weird nylon ribbed stuff
Arrah: Weird!
Arrah: Soft, though…
Anita Fitter: they smell exactly the same- definite horse hide composite
Arrah: Sews pretty easily.
Anita Fitter: slippery outersole
Arrah: as hell!
Anita Fitter: *nods*
Arrah: the prices for rosin must be nice over there.
Anita Fitter: i bet!
Anita Fitter: of course they do wet down the old floors- but I believe that the Maryinsky finally updated their flooring
Anita Fitter: the rusbal and the silhouette have the same “ring” when hit on the floor
Arrah: So, do we agree that the Silhouette is your basic, medium Russian pointe shoe?
Anita Fitter: pretty much
Arrah: You mean the same ‘clunk?’ lol
Anita Fitter: exactly!
Arrah: Like a brick hitting the floor.
Arrah: They’d be nice to tap dance with. No taps needed.
Anita Fitter: very true…
Arrah: What can we equate the Silhouette with?
Anita Fitter: lets see- it is almost exactly like a rusbal
Arrah: Grishko?
Anita Fitter: it is similar to a russian pointe brio
Arrah: Because of the higher profile, no doubt.
Anita Fitter: similar to a cross between a grishko fouette and a vaganova
Arrah: I agree.
Anita Fitter: on its platform, it looks similar to a wide winokur
Arrah: It does have the same curve to the outer metatarsal, too.
Anita Fitter: *nods* and let’s not forget the standard russian high heel
Arrah: The box hardness stops at the same point.
Arrah: Yep!
Arrah: But what the heck did they do to the heel width?!!
Anita Fitter: pretty much wingless, but with a long box paste
Anita Fitter: I honestly don’t know. its like they somehow have it cut naturally gappy
Arrah: Why is Prima Soft so inept at making a shoe that actually stays on the foot without a mile of elastic?!
Anita Fitter: i don’t know… even their drawstring styles have the same problem
Arrah: I was just about to say that.
Anita Fitter: we think alike
Arrah: That is a common thread that seems to be in all their shoes. They’re just cut like BOATS!
Anita Fitter: they are… and feel big
Anita Fitter: even when too short
Arrah: They’re sizing system is wacked.
Arrah: Their 1-X feels like a Freed 2-X. Can we agree?
Anita Fitter: yes. dont forget the strange sizing on the russian models compared to the brazilian models
Arrah: And they say not to wear padding with Prima Softs?!
Anita Fitter: and to not crack the shank
Arrah: Oy. That’s a headache in itself.
Anita Fitter: true
Arrah: Ok. So let’s get this straight. You’re not supposed to bend the shank with your hands. But if you don’t, then the arch of the shoe isn’t supportive where it needs to be. Prima Soft states that their shoes have a Perfect Placement box that helps the dancer NOT to ‘knuckle.” So…. what are you supposed to do- crash down on the tip of your toes?! I’m sure that feels nice.
Anita Fitter: and crashing causes knuckling…
Arrah: Basically, you’re not supposed to HAVE an arch in a Prima Soft pointe!
Anita Fitter: apparently so
Anita Fitter: which kind of … well… makes pointe in ballet…pointless
Anita Fitter: whats the use of pointe without a beautiful line
Arrah: or pointeless. Because you’ll not HAVE a pointe at all with all the hours you’ll spend with an orthopedic.
Anita Fitter: not to mention achilles tendonitis if you don't crack the shank
Arrah: Does Prima Soft have a grudge against showing the arch?
Anita Fitter: maybe they are designed to make dolly dinkle students not feel bad with their bent knees and lack-o-arch
Arrah: From their photography, it certainly seems so.
Arrah: If you have to bend your knees to stay en pointe- get off pointe!
Anita Fitter: i agree- i dont understand these schools that think it’s ok to put a kid en pointe with one class a week
Anita Fitter: but we digress
Arrah: true.
Arrah: So, it smells like a Russian pointe. It looks like a Russian pointe. Is it a Russian Pointe?
Arrah: The Silhouette, I mean.
Arrah: Same cobblers?
Anita Fitter: no it smells like a rusbal
Anita Fitter: looks like a rusbal
Anita Fitter: only difference is the outersole
Arrah: I wonder what Rusbal would say. If they can be found!
Anita Fitter: they are simply in the theatre district inSt Petersburg- shouldn't be that hard to find.

An Introduction

Anita Fitter and Arrah Besk are American dancers who have been in the world of ballet since their teens and have tried every pointe shoe brand and model under the sun. With so much hands(er… foot) on experience, it’s no wonder opinions were formed and this blog was born.

Our goal? To debunk myths, lies, advertising campaigns, and to wake up the pointe makers from their slumber to realize that DANCERS ARE NOT STUPID! There are so many schemes and underhanded shenanigans that go on behind the scenes in the world of pointe making that we believe it is the very reason dancers are so uneducated and confused about their footwear. When a dancer puts their career and delicate feet in the care of the pointe makers, such deceit can prove disastrous, both to the wallet and the body.

We hope you enjoy reading The Unofficial Pointe. You can email Anita and Arrah at theunpointe@aim.com for questions and suggestions on future discussions on the blog.