Ballet En Pointe 128

Royal Leamington Spa: Pointe Shoe Paradise #ballet #enpointe So, ladies, as you know I am *obsessed* with all things ballet, from the pirouettes to the pointe shoes and everything in between. Recently, my pointe shoe journey brought me to the enchanting town of Royal Leamington Spa - which is practically *heaven* for ballet lovers! Let's face it: finding the perfect pointe shoe is a quest! It's all about finding a shoe that's built for your unique foot and provides just the right amount of support. I, like many other ballerinas, had been to a fair share of shoe shops - all leaving me with mixed emotions and feeling far from triumphant! And I am talking *proper* mixed emotions: excitement for the possibility of a new shoe mixed with dread that it wouldn't be right, a slight pang of guilt for adding more pairs to my growing collection and a massive dollop of stress. You know exactly what I mean, if you're a fellow pointe shoe fiend. So, let's cut to the chase, I visited the Royal Leamington Spa Ballet Emporium! I knew there would be something special there - and there was! From the moment I stepped inside, the air crackled with the magic of dance. The aroma of leather - new, perfectly crafted leather - filled the air, instantly sending my mind into a pirouette! I was greeted by a truly lovely ballerina with the most enchanting smile who could obviously tell I had walked in ready to fall in love with my new pointe shoes! The staff is super friendly and incredibly knowledgeable - true ballet connoisseurs - offering the kind of bespoke advice and personalized guidance that’s a rarity! The Quest for Perfection! My quest began by finding out my foot type and which specific features of the shoes were going to work best for me - like shank size, shape of the platform and of course, brand and leather! Did I mention I was a total newbie to all the technical details of my pointe shoe choice? Well I was! The staff made me feel at ease and gave me all the guidance I needed. They patiently discussed the different types of leather used in pointe shoes and gave a very comprehensive lesson in what each of these leather types provided. A ballet history lesson in footwear. It turns out you can get shoes in soft, hard, full and semi-suede. And let's not forget the glorious selection of colour too! It truly made me realise that a pointe shoe is an absolute work of art. A marvel! And for the price tag you'd better expect it to be! The Pointe Shoe Brands and Collections! The shoe choices themselves, oh the shoe choices! From classic, sturdy brands such as Freed of London to the ever-elegant Gaynor Minden, and a wide range of others to boot! Every ballerina’s needs can be satisfied - from traditionalists who crave classic styles to modern-day dancers in search of innovation. I was actually very relieved I didn't just find one pair of shoes that I was in love with, I actually found *three*! What an achievement, for once, there was no need for the dread, guilt and stress. One brand stood out and took my attention - it felt almost impossible not to fall in love with them! Bloch Pointe Shoes were truly a dream! Bloch, which are always known to be a fabulous dance wear brand anyway. And let me tell you these are not just ordinary pointe shoes. These pointe shoes are beautifully crafted, featuring superior quality and innovative design that you could never argue with. They really felt amazing and, to quote one of my very favourite teachers *simply magical.* This is especially true for the Bloc Serenade model - one of their newer styles. If you're not a fan of the traditional box toe Bloch Serenade offers a softer toe profile. Not to mention they feel as comfortable as an everyday shoe. Ballet Emporium’s Additional Services But the delights of Ballet Emporium didn't end there. I loved their incredible, top-notch service and they really go the extra mile when it comes to tailoring your pointe shoe experience! And I don't just mean shoe fittings. For example, I was able to watch my fitting and received advice on stretching, strengthening and shoe maintenance, all to maximise comfort and lifespan. Their *personalisation* feature was an absolute bonus - you get to choose your colour ribbons, satin toe pads, the elastic around your ankle... Basically a full on design and construction consultation! It's worth it! You'd think after a trip like this my shoe quest would be complete - all three pairs purchased and in need of *no further attention.* But not so much, in fact it got even better - my quest took a fabulous twist! As I was heading home (happy and, well, *en pointe*) I discovered a treasure trove hidden away on the top floor - a heavenly haven filled with an absolute plethora of all things ballet wear. Leotards, tights, tutus - everything you can imagine! The Dream Ballet Shop The *ballet shop* is practically a little dancer's paradise! If you want your dance wear in the perfect ballet style colours, here it is - classic shades like blush, black, powder blue and softest pastel pinks. Oh my! But my true dance-loving heart was screaming when I spotted an impressive range of tutus. If you are a big tutu fan, then like me you're likely looking for the very best in the ballet fashion world. From delicate and romantic Romantic tutus, the full, swirling Romantic Tutus with the frilly skirt. The Classical tutus, which I like to call the elegant ones that are very short and have a minimal amount of layering in the skirts are just breathtaking. But the very top prize was the the more modern Contemporary tutus with their sombre yet oh-so-elegant layers. My oh my. As you can imagine this was not a simple browse. I was literally lost in a land of dance! If there's a ballet fashionista in you, I really suggest you go there! I'm sure you'll feel like I did - inspired! It’s an incredible place for buying all your dance wear! Ballet Emporium is everything you would hope it would be and so much more, you've just got to check it out. The staff are simply wonderful - very much on point! A *big* shout out to Ballet Emporium's brilliant team! So, ladies, get ready to immerse yourselves in the ballet wonderland - and if you happen to find yourself in Royal Leamington Spa, be sure to make a pitstop at Ballet Emporium for the best shopping experience. It’s more than just a shop! Until next time, dance on! xx Your ballerina fashionista, Lily. #ballet #enpointe