These flat-bottomed predecessors of the modern pointe shoe were secured to the feet by ribbons and incorporated pleats under the toes to enable dancers to leap, execute turns, and fully extend their feet. The first dancers to rise up on their toes did so...

The dance of ballet was first introduced to the world in the fifteenth century Italian Renaissance courts. Years later, a wealthy Italian woman, Catherine de Medici, who was also married to King Henry II of France was a huge fan of the art form.

Feet are a big deal in ballet. Students and professionals alike obsess over how their feet look, feel, and function. Who can forget the cliche image of delicate pink pointe shoes tip-toeing across the floor? Beautiful ballet feet have a reputation, but th...

Women began to dance ballet in 1681. At that time, the standard women's ballet shoe had heels.

Performance of the beautiful ballerina Elena Gibson

Maria Khoreva, Vaganova Ballet Academy student

Backstage at the Bolshoi: A New HBO Film Peers Into the Dark World of Russian Ballet

Air France Commercial ( making of )

Choose between your favorite Russian ballerinas from this list.