Published on 12 Jun 2015

 Tamara Rojo, Lead Principle and Artistic Director, English National Ballet speech at the opening of SHOES: PLEASURE AND PAIN.

 3 June 2015 – 31 January 2016. This exhibition will look at the extremes of footwear from around the globe, presenting around 200 pairs of shoes ranging from a sandal decorated in pure gold leaf originating from ancient Egypt to the most elaborate designs by contemporary makers.

The Pointe Shoe Anti-Bunion Stretcher by Tamara Rojo is a device for widening the specific area of the enveloping part of the pointed ballet shoes, to facilitate a more comfortable use of said shoes to the ballerinas who suffer from the lateral deformation of the first segment of the phalangeal metatarsal joint forming a protrusion called hallux abductus valgus (hallux valgus) known as bunion. By stretching the satin canvas, at the wings area of the pointed shoes, the fitting of the ballerina’s foot suffering bunion into the pointe shoe is improved, consequently, it reduces the oppression in the bunion, relieve discomfort and helps her to dance more comfortably.