POINTE SHOE

Abstract

When dancing en pointe, the wearer's weight is typically supported by their toes. Pointe shoes, including a shank and a toe box, are worn to support the wearer's toes. However, the wearer's weight is mainly supported by their toes when dancing en pointe. A pointe shoe (100) is provided including a two-part fastener (110, 210) for adhering the wearer's heel and/or arch region of their foot to the shank (130) of the pointe shoe. In this way, when dancing en pointe, at least some of the wearer's weight is transferred to the toe box via the two-part fastener and the shank, such that pressure on their toes (320) is reduced.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to United Kingdom patent applications GB 1912416.3 filed on Aug. 29, 2019 and GB 2012701.5 filed on Aug. 14, 2020, each filed in the United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention relates generally to a pointe shoe and a method of preventing a wearer's foot from slipping relative to a pointe shoe when worn en pointe and finds particular, although not exclusive, utility in providing a pointe shoe for use by ballet dancers.

2. Description of the Related Art

Pointe is a dance technique used widely in ballet. To dance “en pointe”, the dancer balances and supports their weight mainly on the end of their big toes. This is difficult to achieve and may cause damage to the dancer's toes. The pressure on the dancer's toes is substantial even when the dancer is static, and can greatly increase when the dancer moves. Pointe shoes are worn to support the dancer's feet and toes when dancing en pointe. Traditionally, a pointe shoe includes a toe box, which is a rigid wedge-shaped container, which tightly constrains the wearer's toes to help prevent them from buckling under the dancer's weight. The toe box includes a platform; which is a planar surface positioned at an extreme toe end of the pointe shoe and provides a solid base on which the dancer balances when dancing en pointe. A pointe shoe may also include a shank, which may be a semi-rigid board, integral with the toe box extending along the insole of the shoe. The shank may have a curvature such that, when en pointe, some of the dancer's weight is transferred via it to the integral toe box. However, even so, it is common for pointe dancers to experience toe damage such as hallux valgus deformities, toe nail injuries, corns, bruises, callouses and blisters. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a pointe shoe which reduces the pressure on the wearer's toes when dancing en pointe.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a pointe shoe comprising an insole, the insole having an upper surface and a first part of a two-part fastener positioned on the upper surface; wherein the first part of the two-part fastener is positioned in a heel and/or arch region of the upper surface of the insole such that, in use, the fastener is adjacent to the heel and/or arch region of a wearer's foot, the first part of the two-part fastener being releasably attachable to a second part of the two-part fastener, the second part of the two-part fastener being adhered to the wearer's foot by means of adhesive, wherein the first and second parts of the two-part fastener are co-operable, in use, to releasably adhere the insole of the pointe shoe to the wearer's heel and/or arch region to thereby prevent the foot slipping down the shoe away from the heel region, when used en point.

In this way, the two-part fastener may be used to releasably adhere the wearer's heel and/or arch region to the insole of the pointe shoe, such that the wearer's foot may not slip relative to the insole. As such, when dancing en pointe, the wearer's foot may not slip down inside the shoe. The wearer's weight may therefore be supported to some extent by the wearer's heel and/or arch region and transmitted via the insole to the integral toe box. Accordingly, the pressure on the ends of the wearer's toes, when dancing en pointe, may be reduced.

The heel and/or arch region of the wearer's foot may be any region of the wearer's foot which is adjacent to the wearer's calcaneus.

The two-part fastener may be employed only in the arch region of the wearer's foot and shoe. In this regard, the arch region may lie anywhere between the heel and the ball of the foot.

The two-part fastener may be arranged partly in the heel region and partly in the arch region of the shoe and wearer's foot.

The insole may be, or may comprise, a shank. The insole and/or shank may be rigid, semi-rigid, or otherwise able to transfer at least some of the weight of the wearer when en pointe to the toe box.

The upper surface of the insole may be the surface of the pointe shoe which, when worn, is in contact with the sole of the wearer's foot.

The two-part fastener may comprise two parts which mutually cooperate to fasten two objects. For instance, the two-part fastener may comprise a hook and loop fastener. Alternatively, it may comprise a fastener including mushroom-shaped stems and/or a magnetic material.

Adhering the insole of the pointe shoe to the wearer's heel and/or arch region may mean that relative movement of the insole and the wearer's heel and/or arch region is prevented or reduced, when compared to the insole and the wearer's foot not being adhered.

The second part of the two-part fastener may be positionable in a heel and/or arch region of the sole of the wearer's foot. As such, the second part of the two-part fastener may be positionable entirely on the sole of the wearer's foot. The adhesive used to adhere the second part of the two-part fastener to the wearer's foot may be acrylate and/or methacrylate. A medical grade long-term dressing tape, which may, or may not be, hypoallergenic may be used to adhere the second part of the two-part fastener to the wearer's foot.

In this way, the wearer may releasably adhere the dancer's heel and/or arch region to the insole of the pointe shoe by simply putting the shoe on their foot. The bond between the hook portion and the loop portion of the hook and loop fastener may be created when the wearer's shoe is positioned within the pointe shoe. Furthermore, each step the wearer takes whilst wearing the pointe shoe may improve the connection between and/or reattach the hook portion and the loop portion.

The first part of the two-part fastener may be a hook portion of the hook and loop fastener. The second part of the two-part fastener may be a loop portion of the hook and loop fastener. In this way, the wearer may position the loop portion of the hook and loop fastener on their heel and/or arch region and walk, without wearing the pointe shoe, with less discomfort than if she were to position the hook portion of the hook and loop fastener on their heel and/or arch region. Typically, the loop portion has a softer and more comfortable feel than the hook portion. Furthermore, the loop portion may not attach to a textile surface, such as a carpet when worn without the shoe.

The two-part fastener may have a fastening area of between 500 mm² and 3000 mm². The fastening area may be the surface area of the overlap between the first and second parts of the fastener. In this way, the two-part fastener may be capable of supporting a shear force equal to, or greater than, the weight of the wearer such that, when en pointe, two parts of the two-part fastener do not separate.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a foot patch for use with the pointe shoe of the first aspect, the foot patch for attaching to the heel and/or arch region of a wearer, the foot patch comprising the second part of the two-part fastener, wherein the foot patch is attachable, in use, to the sole of the wearer's foot.

In this way, the second part of the two-part fastener may be attachable to the wearer's foot such that the wearer's foot is releasably attachable to a pointe shoe including the first part of the two-part fastener, such as the pointe shoe of the first aspect.

The foot patch may be attachable in the heel and/or arch region of the sole, side(s) and/or rear side of the wearer's foot.

The second part of the two-part fastener may be the foot patch such that it is attachable directly to the wearer's foot. In this regard, adhesive may be positioned between the foot patch and the wearer's foot. The adhesive may be integral with the second part.

Alternatively, the foot patch may comprise a web, with the second part of the two-part fastener attached, or attachable to, the web. The web may also comprise adhesive for adhering it to the wearer's foot. The web may be hypoallergenic tape, for reducing or avoiding any allergic reaction and/or otherwise causing discomfort, when worn. The web may comprise kinesiology tape, or any other known washable and/or reusable adhesive tape.

The second part of the two-part fastener may be attached to the web by stitching.

In this way, the second part of the two-part fastener may be attached to the web in a relatively simple yet strong manner, when compared to other known methods of attaching one object to another. Alternatively, and/or additionally, the second part of the two-part fastener may be attached to the web with adhesive, or other well-known methods. The second part of the two-part fastener may be integral with the web.

The foot patch may comprise two opposed wings. The two opposed wings may be arrangeable to extend up each side of the wearer's foot when attached thereto, in use. One wing may be arrangeable to extend up a left side of the wearer's foot, and the other wing may be arrangeable to extend up a right side of the wearer's foot, when attached thereto. The wings may act to increase the area of the foot attachment part, once applied thereto. In this way, a larger force is required to remove the foot attachment part from the wearer's foot. The foot patch may be subject to shear forces in several directions when the wearer is dancing en pointe. The wings may act to help overcome these shear forces such that the foot attachment part may not move relative to the wearer's foot.

A first of the two wings may be configured to extend away from a first edge of the second part of the two-part fastener. A second of the two wings may be configured to extend away from a second edge of the second part of the two-part fastener. The second edge of the two-part fastener may be opposite to the first edge of the two-part fastener. The second part of the two-part fastener may be stitched to the web via two lines of stitching. A first of the two lines of stitching may run substantially parallel to the first edge of the second part of the two-part fastener. A second of the two lines of stitching may run substantially parallel to the second edge of the second part of the two-part fastener. The first of the two lines of stitching may be adjacent to the first edge of the second part of the two-part fastener. The second of the two lines of stitching may be adjacent to the second edge of the second part of the two-part fastener. Providing two lines of stitching as described above has been found to provide a relatively strong connection between the second part of the two-part fastener and the foot attachment patch. Alternatively, the second part of the two-part fastener may be stitched to the web via one line of stitching, or more than two lines of stitching. The lines of stitching may be arranged to cross, such as two lines arranged as an ‘X’. The two lines of stitching may run substantially perpendicular to the first and second edges of the two-part fastener.

Each wing may have a curved perimeter opposite from the portion adjacent the two-part fastener. Accordingly, each wing may not have a corner. It has been found that corners may be susceptible to peeling off a wearer's foot.

Each wing may extend from the second part of the two-part fastener by between 20 mm and 40 mm. Other dimensions are contemplated. In this way, the wings may be configured to be contained fully within a pointe shoe, when worn, so that they are not visible outside the shoe. The first wing may extend from the second part of the two-part fastener by a greater distance than the second wing extends from the second part of the two-part fastener. The foot patch may comprise a third wing configured to extend away from a third edge of the two-part fastener. The foot patch may comprise a fourth wing configured to extend away from a fourth edge of the two-part fastener. The fourth edge may be opposite to the third edge.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a pointe shoe system including the pointe shoe of the first aspect and the foot patch of the second aspect.

In this way, the wearer may wear the pointe shoe of the first aspect and the foot patch of the second aspect so as to reduce the pressure on the ends of their toes when en pointe.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method of preventing a wearer's foot from slipping relative to a pointe shoe when en pointe, the method comprising the steps of: providing a pointe shoe having an insole; providing one of a first or second part of a two-part fastener; and attaching the one of the first or second part of the two-part fastener to an upper surface of the insole.

In this way, a typical pointe shoe may be adapted for use with the foot patch of the second aspect.

The method may further comprise the step of trimming the one of the first or second part of the two-part fastener such that a section of its perimeter substantially corresponds to a section of a perimeter of the upper surface of the insole, before attaching it to the upper surface of the insole of the pointe shoe.

In this way, the size and shape of the first or second part of the two-part fastener may match the heel and/or arch region of the pointe shoe.

The method may further comprise the step of removing at least a portion of a lining material from the upper surface of the insole of the pointe shoe, before attaching the one of the first or second part of the two-part fastener to the upper surface of the insole of the pointe shoe.

In this way, the first or second part of the two-part fastener may be attached directly to the upper surface of the insole.

The method may further comprise the step of providing a foot patch comprising the other of the first or second part of the two-part fastener. The method may further comprise the step of attaching the foot patch to the heel and/or arch region of the wearer's foot. The method may further comprise the step of releasably attaching the first and second parts of the two-part fastener together to thereby retain the location of the wearer's heel and/or arch region relative to the insole of the pointe shoe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a pointe shoe including a portion of hook material;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a first foot patch including a portion of loop material;

FIG. 3 is a view of the pointe shoe of FIG. 1 including a wearer's foot; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an alternative foot patch including a portion of loop material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will be described with respect to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. Each drawing may not include all of the features of the invention and therefore should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other sequences than described or illustrated herein. Likewise, method steps described or claimed in a particular sequence may be understood to operate in a different sequence.

Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

It is to be noticed that the term “comprising”, used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression “a device comprising means A and B” should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “an aspect” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or aspect is included in at least one embodiment or aspect of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in an aspect” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or aspect, but may refer to different embodiments or aspects. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics of any one embodiment or aspect of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner with any other particular feature, structure or characteristic of another embodiment or aspect of the invention, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments or aspects.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Moreover, the description of any individual drawing or aspect should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form yet further embodiments, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

In the discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

The use of the term “at least one” may mean only one in certain circumstances. The use of the term “any” may mean “all” and/or “each” in certain circumstances.

The principles of the invention will now be described by a detailed description of at least one drawing relating to exemplary features. It is clear that other arrangements can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the underlying concept or technical teaching, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a pointe shoe 100 including a wedge-shaped toe box 120, into which the wearer's toes are placed, when worn. The pointe shoe 100 also includes a pre-arched shank 130 integral with the toe box 120. Other types of shank are contemplated. The shank 130 extends from the toe region to the heel region of the shoe. A portion of hook material 110 (of the type for connecting to a portion of loop material) is shown arranged in the heel and arch region of the shoe 100 and attached to the shank 130. It is to be understood that the portion 110 may extend only in the heel region, or only in the arch region, or in both regions. If the latter, then the portion 110 may extend across both heel and arch regions but across each region less than shown. When en pointe, the wearer of the pointe shoe 100 balances on the end 140 of the toe box 120. The pointe shoe 100 also includes a leather sole 150 attached to the shank 130. The sole 150 improves traction between the pointe shoe 100 and a floor surface. The sole 150 may be roughened by the user to increase traction between the sole 150 and the floor surface. Other components of the pointe shoe 100, such as the side quarters, binding and drawstring are not shown for clarity.

The portion of hook material 110 is adhered to the shank 130, with adhesive, in a heel and/or arch region of the shank 130. The portion of hook material 110 has a perimeter shape which substantially corresponds to the perimeter shape of the heel and/or arch region of the shank 130.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a foot patch 200 including a portion of loop material 210 for use with the pointe shoe 100 of FIG. 1. The foot patch 200 comprises a piece of hypoallergenic tape 220, onto which the portion of loop material 210 is sewn via two parallel lines of stitching 230, 240. The two lines of stitching 230, 240 extend across a width, shown as top to bottom in FIG. 2, of the foot patch 200. The side of the tape 220 opposed to the side to which the portion of loop material 210 is sewn is self-adhesive. A removable backing paper is provided to cover the self-adhesive surface until the foot patch 200 is to be attached to a wearer's foot. The tape 220 is larger than the portion of loop material 210 in a length direction, shown as left to right in FIG. 2, and the portion of loop material 210 is positioned on the tape 220 such that the tape 220 projects out either side of the portion of loop material 210, providing two wings 250, 260. Each wing 250, 260 extends away from the portion of loop material 210 by approximately 40 mm. When the foot patch 200 is worn, the wings 250, 260 attach to the sides of the wearer's heel and/or arch region and possibly upwards towards their ankle/top of their foot. A first 230 of the two lines of stitching is positioned adjacent to a first 250 of the two wings. A second 240 of the two lines of stitching is positioned adjacent to a second 260 of the two wings. Other stitching arrangements are contemplated.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the foot patch 200 of FIG. 2 positioned in the arch region only of a wearer's foot 300 within the pointe shoe 100 of FIG. 1.

To wear the pointe shoe 100, the wearer places their foot 300 into the pointe shoe 100 such that the sole 310 of their foot 300 is supported by the shank 130. The wearer's toes 320 are enclosed by the toe box 120. The foot patch 200 is shown attached to the wearer's sole 310 in the arch region, slightly in front of the heel 299, such that the portion of loop material 210 (the upper of the two broken lines shown in FIG. 3) is positioned in an arch region of the sole 310 of the wearer's foot 300. The first wing 250 is attached to the side of the wearer's foot. The pointe shoe 100 is sized such that the portion of hook material 110 (the lower of the two broken lines shown in FIG. 3) aligns with the portion of loop material 210 when the pointe shoe 100 is worn. The portion of hook material 110 is attached to the portion of loop material 210 such that sliding of the wearer's foot 300 relative to the shank 130 is prevented. Accordingly, when the wearer dances en pointe, such that they are balanced on the platform 140, their weight is transferred to the floor via their or arch region, the foot patch 200, the portions of hook 110 and loop 210 material, the shank 130 and the toe box 120. This reduces or eliminates the weight of the dancer being borne by their toes when dancing en pointe, leading to a reduction in pain and injury.

The portion of hook 110 material and the portion of loop material 210 may have the same length and width.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an alternative foot patch 400 including a portion of loop material 410 and four wings 450, 460, 470, 480, for use with the pointe shoe 100 of FIG. 1. Other numbers of wings are contemplated. It will be understood that the greater the number of wings provided, the greater the area of contact between the wearer's foot and the foot patch may be formed; leading to improved adherence. The foot patch 400 comprises a cross-shaped piece of hypoallergenic tape 420, onto which the portion of loop material 410 is sewn via two parallel lines of stitching 430, 440. The two lines of stitching 430, 440 extend across a width of the portion of loop material 410. The side of the tape 420 opposed to the side to which the portion of loop material 410 is sewn is self-adhesive. A removable backing paper is provided to cover the self-adhesive surface until the foot patch 400 is to be attached to a wearer's foot. The tape 420 is larger than the portion of loop material 410 in a length direction, shown as left to right in FIG. 4, and also in a height direction, shown as top to bottom in FIG. 4. The portion of loop material 410 is positioned substantially centrally on the tape 420 such that the tape 420 projects out of the four sides of the substantially square portion of loop material 410, providing the four wings 450, 460, 470, 480. Each wing 450, 460, 470, 480 extends away from the portion of loop material 410 by approximately 40 mm. When the foot patch 400 is worn, two wings 450, 460 are attached to the sides of the wearer's foot: one wing 470 attached to the wearer's sole, and the other wing 480 attached to the rear of the wearer's heel. A first 430 of the two lines of stitching is positioned adjacent to a first 450 of the two wings. A second 440 of the two lines of stitching is positioned adjacent to a second 460 of the two wings. Other stitching arrangements are contemplated.

Claims

1. A pointe shoe comprising an insole, the insole having an upper surface and a first part of a two-part fastener positioned on the upper surface; wherein the first part of the two-part fastener is positioned in a heel and/or arch region of the upper surface of the insole such that, in use, the fastener is adjacent to the heel and/or arch of a wearer's foot, the first part of the two-part fastener being releasably attachable to a second part of the two-part fastener, the second part of the two-part fastener being adhered to the wearer's foot by means of adhesive, wherein the first and second parts of the two-part fastener are co-operable, in use, to releasably adhere the insole of the pointe shoe to the wearer's heel and/or arch region, to thereby prevent the foot slipping down the shoe away from the heel region, when used en point.

2. The pointe shoe of claim 1, wherein the two-part fastener is a hook and loop fastener.

3. The pointe shoe of claim 2, wherein the first part of the two-part fastener is a hook portion of the hook and loop fastener, and the second part of the two-part fastener is a loop portion of the hook and loop fastener.

4. The pointe shoe of claim 1, wherein the two-part fastener has a fastening area of at least 1500 mm2.

5. A foot patch for use with the pointe shoe of claim 1, the foot patch for attaching to the heel and/or arch region of a wearer, the foot patch comprising the second part of the two-part fastener, wherein the foot patch is attachable, in use, to the sole of the wearer's foot.

6. The foot patch of claim 5, comprising a web.

7. The foot patch of claim 6, wherein the web comprises hypoallergenic tape.

8. The foot patch of claim 6, wherein the second part of the two-part fastener is attachable to the web.

9. The foot patch of claim 8, wherein the second part of the two-part fastener is stitched to the web.

10. The foot patch of claim 9, wherein the foot patch comprises two opposed wings arrangeable to extend up each side of the wearer's foot when attached thereto, in use.

11. The foot patch of claim 10, wherein a first of the two wings is configured to extend away from a first edge of the second part of the two-part fastener, and a second of the two wings is configured to extend away from a second edge of the second part of the two-part fastener, wherein the second edge of the two-part fastener is opposite to the first edge of the two-part fastener, and the second part of the two-part fastener is stitched to the web via two lines of stitching, wherein a first of the two lines of stitching runs substantially parallel to the first edge of the second part of the two-part fastener, and a second of the two lines of stitching runs substantially parallel to the second edge of the second part of the two-part fastener.

12. The foot patch of claim 10, wherein each wing has a curved perimeter.

13. The foot patch of claim 11, wherein each wing extends from the second part of the two-part fastener by between 20 mm and 40 mm.

14. A pointe shoe system including the pointe shoe of claim 1 and the foot patch of claim 5.

15. A method of preventing a wearer's foot from slipping relative to a pointe shoe when en pointe, the method comprising the steps of: providing a pointe shoe having an insole;providing one of a first or second part of a two-part fastener; andattaching the one of the first or second part of the two-part fastener to an upper surface of the insole.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of trimming the one of the first or second part of the two-part fastener such that a section of its perimeter substantially corresponds to a section of a perimeter of the upper surface of the insole, before attaching it to the upper surface of the insole of the pointe shoe.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of removing at least a portion of a lining material from the upper surface of the insole of the pointe shoe, before attaching the one of the first or second part of the two-part fastener to the upper surface of the insole of the pointe shoe.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of: providing a foot patch comprising the other of the first or second part of the two-part fastener;attaching the foot patch to the heel and/or arch region of the wearer's foot; andreleasably attaching the first and second parts of the two-part fastener together to thereby retain the location of the wearer's heel and/or arch region relative to the insole of the pointe shoe.