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History of Ballet Shoes
Introduction
According to Streatfeild (32), ballet is a word in French origin. In essence, Ballet is the form of dance executed for theater audiences. The origin of Ballet can be traced during 1400s in Italy during Renaissance time where people developed a great interest in learning and art specifically dancing. Ballet shoes are light shoes designed for ballet dancing. In most cases, Ballet shoes are made from Soft leather, Satin or canvas, which are flexible thus, enhancing effective movement of dancing. In reality, ballet shoes centre work is dancing and to ensure its maximum flexibility, they should fit closely to the foot. Initially, ballet shoes were used for stylish movements and emphasizing graceful along with the appearance. With time, ballet shoes have undergone change to the extent; there are flexible ballet shoes best for dancing. With this regard, this paper aims to discuss the change of ballet shoes throughout history and briefly explain why it changed over a time.
It is important to note that, the roots of ballet are in the Renaissance Italy. It is assumed that, Catherine deMedici may have brought ballet to France from Italy. It is certain that, the ballet shoes as we know currently were not developed in the past until much later. In essence, the early ballets were initially danced by men with the first shoes being in high heels. In facts, various changes in ballet shoes throughout history have occurred. First, Bussell (11) argue that, in early ballets, the way to differentiate a man and woman ballet was if legs were showing underneath costumes. In facts, ballets were mostly in heels, which to some extent hindered comfort. Nevertheless, this has changed in that, in the mid 17000, a dancer by name Marie Camargo shorten her skirts in addition, removed her high heels to dance effectively. Since then, things changed to the extent, dancers wear soft and simple slippers, which allowed dancers to move freely than before.
Secondly, there are changes in structure particularly in weight. In the past, ballet slippers were weightless to the extent, dancers would be uncomfortable dancing. In 1600s, the ballet shoes were high-heeled with large buckles, which took an important role in ballet dancing. In conjunction with this, the ballet shoes were made with delicate materials such as silk, fine fabrics and leather sole. Earlier on in 1400s, the Italians held their ballet dance and unfortunately, the shoe was not specifically designed for dancing. The ballet version never created the articulate comfort in dancing. Ballet shoes were extremely heavy to suit dancing. However, things have changed in that ballet slippers are weightless to the extent dancers feel as if they are barefoot. In this regard, studies outline that, the main reason why ballet slippers has been transformed to practically weightless is to enhance comfort particularly for dancers (Crawford 1). In addition, materials used in making ballet slippers are more diverse, ranging from leather to satin in addition, having split soles to portray dancers’ toes. Bussell (33) argue that, Pointe shoes have blocks at the end, which aim to support the toes thus, enhance comfort. This development in the ballet supported and solidified dancers. Having ballet enhancing solid dancing; England founded a place where foreign dancers would dance with ballet in 1922.
Thirdly, in 1700 there were many advanced dancing movements to the extent, toe dancing developed. By then, ballet shoes were soft in leather and not flexible. Things have changed in that shoes are constructed differently; flexible leather, thin and the pleats that are precisely stitched to the seeded sole thus, enhancing ease dancing for the dancer hardly feels the shoe when it is the shoe. It is borne in mind; some of the ballet beauty along with mystique originates from elegant satin slippers. The ballet Pointe shoe is relatively recent making it to be highly technical today.
Conclusion
In facts, the ballet shoes originated in France. Ballet was founded in 1400s, in Italy during Renaissance time where people developed a great interest in learning and art specifically dancing. It is assumed that, Catherine deMedici may have brought ballet to France from Italy. There have been changes in the ballet shoes that were not outlined in the past. As discussed in the paper, there were changes in ballets were mostly in heels, which hindered comfort in dancing. Things changed in the mid 1700 where ballet shoes enhanced comfort. Secondly, there were changes in structure particularly in weight. In 1600s, the ballet shoes were high-heeled and heavily, which as a result, could not enhance comfort in dancing. Things have changed in that ballet shoes are light in weight enhancing comfort in dancing. Thirdly, there were changes in construction in that, in 1700s, ballet shoes were soft in leather and not flexible, and with time, the construction has been modified in strong leather that is durable. In addition, the construction was precisely decorated in stitches and seeded sole with an aim of improving beauty. With this in mind, this paper ahs discussed the change of ballet shoes throughout history in addition, explain why this has changed over a time.
Work cited
Bussell, Darcey. Delphie and the Magic Ballet Shoes. New York: HarperCollins Canada, Limited, 2009. Print
Crawford, Nicaela. The history of ballet shoes. Retrieved from: http://www.ehow.com/about_5384595_history-ballet-shoes.html, 1999.
Streatfeild, Noel. Ballet Shoes for Anna. London: HarperCollins Publishers Limited, 2010. Print
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