Abigail McArdle

Relevé

Pointe is a ballet technique that allows dancers to perform choreography on the very tips of their toes. Traditional pointe shoes are expensive, uncomfortable and have very short lifespans. Their inability to be disassembled for recycling means that when one small part wears down the whole shoe ends up in landfill. Relevé’s innovative design incorporates a durable carbon fibre toe box with customisable inserts to increase comfort and longevity. The insole (shank) and ribbons are easily replaceable allowing for quick fixes and avoiding the need for an entirely new shoe. These redesigned components are contained within a satin ‘sock’ that helps the Relevé pointe shoe to maintain the traditional aesthetic while evolving to meet the dancer’s needs