Made in China. If you are a consumer anywhere in the world, you have seen this label on thousands of different products. For many consumers, this label may mean that the product they buy will be priced lower than a regional item of the same type.
For others, the name implies sweatshops, cheap labor, shoddy labor, and greedy retailers. Most of us have something in our homes or in our cupboards made in China.
The country of China produces almost any type of merchandise you can imagine; including dance shoes for all genres of performing arts. One of those performing arts is ballet.
The most important accessory for a professional ballet dancer is her pointe shoes. Because pointe shoes wear out quickly, the cheaper models are incredibly tempting to try.
Pointe shoes are expensive for a reason
The skills of a professional pointe shoe cobbler cost money. It’s typically a generational skill that requires decades of experience to perfect. The best pointe shoes come from manufacturers who use shoe racks that take pride at your job.
Lasts or shapes are expensive as are labor costs. Pointe shoes made in the traditional way by sticking and turning by hand require critical attention to detail. Successful manufacturers understand what a ballerina needs and wants from their shoes in terms of support, ease of adaptation, beautiful lines, and comfort.
How cheap is too cheap when it comes to pointe shoe construction?
Few manufacturers are going to share where they source their materials. Many use satin from one country, thread from another, leather from another, etc. If a pair of dance shoes only costs ten dollars when comparable products cost ten times as much, you have to worry about the quality of the materials used.
The pros and cons of China’s inexpensive pointe shoes
The professionals:
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Good for craft and decorating projects.
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An option for collectors or curious.
The cons:
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A generic shape is not practical for all types of feet that dancers have.
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The cheap prices are passed on to the consumer due to the cheap materials used and the low cost labor.
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A dancer will never really save money; shoes will wear out quickly.
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Shoes will not have adequate support.
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Aesthetics can be a nightmare with off-brand pointe shoes.
Professional footwear options span a small range of brands
Professional theaters spend thousands upon thousands of dollars each year supplying shoes for their corp members. However, you will never see a top-tier academy skimp on expensive brands or buy cheaper no-name versions from China.
It is usually the opposite. They make sure their lead dancers, soloists and corps members have the best quality shoes for dancing. This includes custom made shoes for a perfect fit. The shoes are chosen from some elite brands that are known around the world for their quality, support, aesthetics, and custom design features.
A professional dancer can become very picky about her shoemaker. The impeccable fit is number one for an art as physical as toe work. Having shoes specifically designed for the unique shape of your foot by the same manufacturer ensures consistency of fit and function.
The odds of a mass-produced low-cost shoe gaining popularity with dancers
This article is certainly not intended to criticize authentic Chinese pointe shoe brands that are produced by reputable companies known for their quality dancewear.
The inexpensive models found online through global markets and sold without a brand are buyer beware products. They are not affiliated with professional schools, ballet training academies or dance theaters.
Cheap and discounted pointe shoes of questionable origin are never recommended by the ballet elite. They can be tested by students on a budget, but never an option for a professional.
With the advent of the Internet and global competition for business, China has tried to fill the dancewear market with low-cost ballet shoe alternatives. However, professional ballet training demands high construction standards when it comes to pointe shoe design. Quality products cost money.
If high-quality pointe shoes only last for one ballerina performance, a cheap alternative will never take their place.