Anna Pavlova, one of the most influential ballerinas of all time, is commonly known as the “mother” of modern pointe shoes.
The slender build of her feet made her more susceptible to injuries when dancing on her toes, so she altered her ballet shoes with toughened leather soles and a hard, inside “box” to protect her toes.
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
Historically speaking, ballet used to be a guy thing until women were given the right to perform on stage. Nowadays, it is often perceived as a more feminine dance, and women ballerinas are more common than men.
However, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo is a combination of then and now, with an all-male cast that dresses up as women for female parts and performs famous ballet works with impeccable technique as well as humor.
Ballet Slippers Used to Have Heels
Ballet slippers as we know them are nothing like what they used to be. Originally, ballet dancers used to dance in heeled shoes, which allowed for a much smaller range of movement.
Things changed in the middle of the 18th century when French dancer Marie Camargo started dancing in flat slippers, which allowed her to leap and jump in a way the more traditional shoes couldn't.
Ballerinas Don't Dance on Just Any Floor
The floor in a ballet studio and on stage where ballet shows are held is very special. It has to be a little softer and bouncier to ensure maximum results while not harming the dancers' feet or shoes. To that end, it is built with lightweight wood, sometimes as a sub-floor over a standard pre-existing floor.
This kind of floor needs to be maintained regularly. Maintenance includes immediate cleaning of any kind of spills and regular cleaning with a microfiber mop.
The First Tutu
Nowadays, tutus and ballet are almost synonymous. There are loads of cuts, colors, materials, and designs to choose from. But we owe all of this to a man named Eugene Lami.
In 1832, Lami designed the very first tutu. It was worn by ballerina Marie Taglioni, for a ballet titled "La Sylphide". This sheer, light skirt was made to make her look romantically ethereal, which paved the way to modern ballet costumes.