Enter the world of the exclusive Spicer Ballet Slipper Collection for the very first time.
This beautiful 50 page visual compilation documents a selection of pointe shoes and pointe shoe makers from around the globe.
The Spicer Ballet Slipper Collection contains over 250 rare, vintage and discontinued pointe shoe models.
This book captures a selected array of toe shoes featuring iconic ballet shoes made by Merlet, Enrico Salvio, Frederick Freed, Carlo Freddi and many others.
Covering all corners of the world from Saint Petersburg to Sydney, the Spicer Ballet Collection offers a unique insight into the enigmatic world of Ballet.
Get to know famed pointe shoemakers like never before including mini biographies on Luigi Gamba, Ushi Nagar and Monsieur Dimitri Angelakov.
Your adventure into the magical world of pointe shoes begins with the Spicer Ballet Slipper compilation.
Readers will also encounter rare ballet memorabilia, photos, dance paraphernalia as well as a brief description on the technical assembly of the exquisite pointe shoes themselves.
“Shoemaking is a demanding craft, but pointe shoemaking? Pure magic! In London, at the “Gamba Nursery,” I was captivated by the unique art of ballet shoe construction. Despite years of making street shoes, I had never tackled a pointe shoe. My mentor revealed that a pointe shoe isn’t just footwear; it’s a miracle! Inspired, I began to collect vintage pointe shoes to learn their intricate designs. Even after 50 years, retired pointe shoe makers still marvel at their creation. This book celebrates the miraculous pink satin pointe shoe.”
Mark Sidney Spicer
Mark Sidney Spicer commenced a traineeship with Julius Marlow Pty Ltd at Preston, Melbourne in 1993 specialising in footwear design and construction with an emphasis on derby, court and oxford shoes. Following his apprenticeship in the Melbourne shoe and boot trade Mark travelled to London and trained as a soft block maker and pointe shoe maker at Gamba Dance Ltd. Based at the Wembley Stonebridge manufacturing plant Mark made the Delco model soft ballet slippers and the Gamba 97 pointe shoe models. In the late 1990's Mark began collecting old, discontinued and vintage ballet shoes from England, eventually branching out to include pointe shoes from around the world. This booklet captures a small segment of his ballet slipper and pointe shoe collection.
About the collector
A sneak peek into the collection
