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Russian Ballet Shoes Grace The Stage

Published March 2nd, 2020 - 07:26 GMT

Sergei Murza produces the shoes in the Moscow workshop of Grishko, a company born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union and now is one of the world’s top makers of ballet pointe shoes.

Grishko is a rare success story for Russian artisanship, its shoes sold around the globe and grace the stages of the world’s top ballet venues.

Nearly 80 percent of its production is for export, with the US  and Japan being the top buyers.

Today he employs more than 500 people at workshops in Moscow, the Czech Republic and Macedonia. In Russia, a pair of Grishko pointes sells for the equivalent of 30 euros (US$33), but in western Europe its about as twice as much.

Grishko’s master shoemakers work in silence as they produce 32,000 to 37,000 pairs of pointes per month, using only natural materials.

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Dancer Alexandra Kirshina rehearses on pointes made at Grishko company especially for her in Moscow on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP

Dancer Alexandra Kirshina rehearses on pointes made at Grishko company especially for her in Moscow on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP

Dancer Alexandra Kirshina rehearses on pointes made at Grishko company especially for her in Moscow on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP

Dancer Alexandra Kirshina rehearses on pointes made at Grishko company especially for her in Moscow on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP

Dancer Alexandra Kirshina rehearses on pointes made at Grishko company especially for her in Moscow on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP

Dancer Alexandra Kirshina rehearses on pointes made at Grishko company especially for her in Moscow on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP

Dancer Alexandra Kirshina rehearses on pointes made at Grishko company especially for her in Moscow on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP

Dancer Alexandra Kirshina rehearses on pointes made at Grishko company especially for her in Moscow on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP

A picture taken at Grishko company shows pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP

A picture taken at Grishko company shows pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP

An employee of Grishko company produces pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP

An employee of Grishko company produces pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP

An employee of Grishko company produces pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP

An employee of Grishko company produces pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP

An employees of Grishko company produces pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP

An employees of Grishko company produces pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP

An employees of Grishko company produces pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP

An employees of Grishko company produces pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP

A picture taken at Grishko company shows pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP

A picture taken at Grishko company shows pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP

Dancer Alexandra Kirshina rehearses on pointes made at Grishko company especially for her in Moscow on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
Dancer Alexandra Kirshina rehearses on pointes made at Grishko company especially for her in Moscow on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
Dancer Alexandra Kirshina rehearses on pointes made at Grishko company especially for her in Moscow on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
Dancer Alexandra Kirshina rehearses on pointes made at Grishko company especially for her in Moscow on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
A picture taken at Grishko company shows pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
An employee of Grishko company produces pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
An employee of Grishko company produces pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
An employees of Grishko company produces pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
An employees of Grishko company produces pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
A picture taken at Grishko company shows pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
Dancer Alexandra Kirshina rehearses on pointes made at Grishko company especially for her in Moscow on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
Dancer Alexandra Kirshina rehearses on pointes made at Grishko company especially for her in Moscow on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
Dancer Alexandra Kirshina rehearses on pointes made at Grishko company especially for her in Moscow on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
Dancer Alexandra Kirshina rehearses on pointes made at Grishko company especially for her in Moscow on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
Dancer Alexandra Kirshina rehearses on pointes made at Grishko company especially for her in Moscow on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
Dancer Alexandra Kirshina rehearses on pointes made at Grishko company especially for her in Moscow on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
Dancer Alexandra Kirshina rehearses on pointes made at Grishko company especially for her in Moscow on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
Dancer Alexandra Kirshina rehearses on pointes made at Grishko company especially for her in Moscow on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
A picture taken at Grishko company shows pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
A picture taken at Grishko company shows pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
An employee of Grishko company produces pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
An employee of Grishko company produces pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
An employee of Grishko company produces pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
An employee of Grishko company produces pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
An employees of Grishko company produces pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
An employees of Grishko company produces pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
An employees of Grishko company produces pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
An employees of Grishko company produces pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
A picture taken at Grishko company shows pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
A picture taken at Grishko company shows pointe shoes in the company's Moscow workshop on February 25, 2020. Born in the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Grishko family business has emerged among the top makers in the world of dance shoes, notably classic ballet pointe shoes, worn on the world's great stages. Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
Tags:RussiaballetDancing shoes

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