Mary Carpenter
Mary Carpenter is a professional pointe shoe fitter, who knows everything you need to know for your next fitting.
- What to look for in a well fitted pointe shoe?
- Answer: "Whatever fits your foot!"
1. Padding is important in fitting.
2. When plié over shoe, the toe should graze tip of shoe, not crunch.
3. En pointe, heel should be align with shank.
4. There should be no growing room, like a cast.
5. Feel supported, make sure shoe stays on heel, when rising en pointe.
6. Teacher and fitter's advice is important.
Foot care: air dry them at night tips up.
- Many variables go into pointe shoe fitting.
- The fitting of the metatarsal is crucial, and tends to be misunderstood by most pointe shoes fitters.
- Different type of feet:
Giselle/Peasant foot: three are the same length, sturdy, not much angle. Strong foot. For point, ideal foot. Best for anti-injury. Broader foot. Needs box shaped shoe, to support foot structure.
Greek: second toe is longer than the first, rest of toes taper down. Need to be careful about second toe, and make sure heel and arch are well supported in shoe. Needs tapered shoe, to support foot structure.
Egyptian: Long first toe, rest of toes taper down.
Pointe shoes should be like a cast. Should hold bones, and not allow any shifting (especially ball of foot).
Pointe shoes consist of satin, burlap, (vegetable) paste, leather. Pointe shoes material is like papier-mâché. Paper-mâché can get broken down by moisture (eg. sweat). Jet Glue/Super Glue, can waterproof shoes, making the shoes last longer.
It is important to rotate pairs of shoes, to preserve health of shoes and feet.
Paper tape is ideal for blisters, and minimizing friction on skin.
Check out her Youtube channel: Dancewithmary NYC