Neverdancedjustamum

I have 4 Bullet Pointe skirts in the colours Violet, Blue, Mint Green and like a deep wine colour (sorry, I can’t remember the actual colour names). All in pristine excellent condition, all size XXS. £22 each including first class postage or £80 for all 4 including postage already.

My DD started wearing them about 5 years ago when she was 7 and I liked them for their high cut leg line and general fit. Having said that, at the time, one of its unique selling points to me was that they were quite rare and not easily available here in the UK and were sold in limited quantities with the one stockist here. They are also made I believe by the same company that does the Paris Opera Ballet School uniform (for example, you can find one of the Degas styles in the exact style minus the Degas branding for almost £20 less online last time I checked) . Its popularity seemed to have exploded in the last 2-3 years and when I saw them on tiny kids (I’d say age 6/7) they actually looked a tad not age appropriate because the chest area of the two most popular styles sit quite low and coupled with the high leg line and bare legs with socks, on some it looked more “grown up”. Although no one can dispute how it can make legs look longer! My DD was always a bit tall for her age and preferred tights so perhaps I didn’t notice it back then. Back when the lined version wasn’t easily available, my DD also found the stitching slightly itchy on her sensitive skin. So when she outgrew all her Degas a couple of years ago, I had a grand time selling them because as you said , they hold their value well. Having said all that, she absolutely loved them years ago and they were always noticed by teachers for their lovely fit and cut and the uniqueness of the style. I’d still rate the 2 most popular Degas styles as some of the best audition leotards on the market - in my opinion although I’m no expert -(appearance wise and also for the sheer amount of colour choices) but my DD personally finds for example, Grishko leotards much more comfortable.

Great condition. From smoke and pet-free home. £25 including postage

Number 4 now sold

YUMIKO FOR SALE - all size adult XS, all excellent, near brand new condition. From smoke and pet free home. Please read descriptions carefully because I don’t do returns or exchanges. Prices quoted include first class postage already (with proof of postage). Additional £1.50 if you want item sent with a tracking number (first class, signed for). Can do lower combined postage price for multiple purchases. For purchases over £100 I will send the parcel via special delivery. Happy to send further info and photos. 1. YUMIKO Style: Larissa Techni fabric Size: XS Not lined £49 including postage 2. YUMIKO Style: Charlotte Techni fabric Size: XS Not lined £49 including postage 3. YUMIKO Style: Sasha Mesh Size: XS Not lined £65 including postage 4. YUMIKO Style: Alex Techni fabric Size: XS Not lined £48 including postage

I may have to resort to this if I can’t handle her second pair 🙂. I think there’s a dry cleaner in our town who does similar but perhaps not specifically pointe shoes.

I strongly second this. Photography by Ash (Amber) are amazing and very reasonably priced. My DD hates having her photo taken and her nightmare would be photo shoots of any sort (probably best as it saves me money). And yet last year as a birthday treat she agreed to have a shoot with Ash and absolutely loved it because they are lovely and put her at ease. I was very pleased with the photos (Amber will send LOTS for you to choose from and is happy to suggest the ones she thinks are best). For someone who hates photos and shoots, my DD received a lot of offers from summer intensives overseas partly because of them. Ash’s headshots are also divine.

That would be amazing, thank you x

I could barely go through the satin, on her pair the material in general seemed very stiff, managed to a few times (accidentally admittedly), and had a hard time poking it back in. I’m a very inexperienced sewer though so I bet it’s easier than I found it. I’m just pretty useless at sewing and so when I was faced with these Gaynors I was quite shocked. Although this did remind me - what kind of thread do you use? I’m guessing it’s quite close in colour to the satin? The thread I had in my Bunheads Stitch kit is darker and more salmon-y. Thankfully I also have a Russian Pointe kit and the thread in that was much closer in colour.

Thanks so so much for the detailed info above! I really appreciate it. I’ve literally copied and pasted it to my phone notes for me to refer to when the time comes for us to get her second pair (although I’m hoping this won’t be too soon! My fingers are still getting over the trauma of sewing the first pair 🤣)

Alas I don’t have a sewing machine but know people who do so I may have to ask very nicely should it come to that x

Wow! That’s amazing about the free pointe shoes! Especially given the price of Gaynors. Fingers crossed my DD gets on well with them. I think it’s a good sign that she said they’re the ones that felt the best out of all the pointe shoes she’s ever tried (of which there have been MANY).

I’ll try with a thimble again. My sewing kit did come with one so I thought I’d give it a go but since it was the first time I’ve ever used one, I was very clumsy and couldn’t quite get into grips with it. I also think I tried too late, I was already about half way through my sewing rage at that stage 😂

I know this is an old post but was the one most related to my question when I did a search. DD is a nightmare to buy pointe shoes for and whenever she goes to get fitted, the most suitable pair is always different! She’s tried Bloch, Grishko, Freeds (which looked horrific on her) and Capezio. During our most recent visit to Dancia and after trying on what seem to be dozens of pairs, the one that suited her the most were, surprisingly, Gaynor Mindens which we’ve never ever considered before. Anyway, my question is: has anyone found an easier way of sewing ribbons and elastics on to these? They’re unlike any of the shoes DD has had before, majority of which have some almost loose thin canvas-y fabric inside to sew on to. The Gaynors she has now has no such fabric, only like a thin fuzzy/felt layer and then the actual material which is very stiff. I’m not good at sewing at the best of times but the whole endeavour took me about double the amount of time to sew Blochs for example. A bigger needle was very hard to push through. I just about managed it with a smaller needle but I always felt like it was about to snap. Felt like giving up many times during the process until I remembered how much the pair cost. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Yes, it got me curious too as I don’t recall any candidates from RBS in recent memory. Can’t really just be their schedules as that’s like assuming other schools don’t have as busy a timetable. And perhaps they aren’t looking to lose students but if I’m remembering correctly, prizes sometime come with job contracts/offers and not just scholarships to schools. The age is also from 15 which means it’s a good way to be seen by upper schools of partner schools especially if not all from WL get RBS US.

Does RBS permit their students to compete in PDL or YAGP? It seems to recruit quite heavily from these competitions but I don’t seem to have seen any of their students participate unless they have a rule not allowing them to do so. I’ve seen candidates from Elmhurst and ENBS in the past, as well as from VBA, APG, TAZ etc.

Looks like 2 of the 3 are privately trained and not in full time vocational school here, and the other based in the US. Some candidates from Elmhurst and ENBS, although not British. Always love watching the candidates from APG. I just did a quick scan but can’t seem to find anyone from Conservatorio Annarella this time around. Two of their recent graduates did brilliantly well and went straight to soloist rank at Bayerisches Staatsballett.

Thanks so much! I will do. Very excited about it all. First time I’m actually on leave from work for WBD.

Probably a silly question but where can I access the livestream? Is there a dedicated World Ballet Day YouTube channel or is it a matter of going to each company’s YouTube channels on their designated time according to the timetable?

I have quite a lot of Yumiko leotards I am selling, mostly size XS, mostly not lined, but all of them in excellent condition, worn once or are brand new before daughter outgrew/didn't suit them anymore. I have included the names of the styles, and you can easily check on the Yumiko website the usual prices for these leotards and realise the prices quoted below are absolute bargains. Size chart also available on the Yumiko website. I have also tried to attach some group photos to give an idea of what they look like (there are too many to do individually but happy to send further details and photos directly). All came from a pet and smoke-free home. I usually post Royal Mail first class with proof of postage (additional £1.50 to quoted price below if you want it sent signed for/trackable). Please read descriptions carefully as I don't do swaps, refunds or exchanges, nor do I take responsibility for late or lost parcels once I have posted it and I have proof of postage/tracking number. Please note I am not a shop, leotards purchased and collected over the last few years, Christmases, birthdays, treats, exam result bonuses, good marks in school bonuses or just surprises from a proud mum 😊 YUMIKO, Style: Larissa, Size: XS, Not lined, £45 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Sofiane, Size: XS, Not lined, £38 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Becky, Size: XS, Not lined, £42 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Sofiane (half sleeve), Size: XS, Not lined, £40 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Becky, Size: XS, Not lined, £43 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Becky, Size: XS, Not lined, £42 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Alex Mesh, Size: XS, Not lined , £42 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Marieke (half sleeve), Size: XS, Not lined, £39 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Masha Mesh (half sleeve), Size: XS, Not lined, £69 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Anna Duo, Size: child 14, Front lined, £39 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Erica, Size: XS, Not lined, £45 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Meagan Mesh, Size: XS, Not lined, £55 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Cora, Size: XS, Not lined, £49 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Anna (3/4 sleeve), Size: XS, Not lined, £45 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Alicia , Size: XS, Not lined, £49 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Masha, Size: XS, Not lined, £65 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Zoe, Size: XS, Not lined, £50 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Kiki, Size: XS, Not lined, £40 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Kiki , Size: XS, Not lined, £40 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Heather , Size: XS, Not lined, £45 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Gina Mesh (3/4 sleeve), Size: XS, £65 including postage

She’s on it, although purely by chance because of school! Two languages that might potentially help 🙂 Luckily she’s keen on learning languages so likes doing it for fun too x

This is absolutely true and a fantastic point. My DD at the moment is not interested in going full time but at the moment still dances quite a lot of hours as she does love it even if she’s not preparing for anything as such. At the same time and while I know it’s unlikely and almost impossible, I’d like to keep her opportunities open should she change her mind 4 years down the line. Selfishly, a little part of me wishes she would as there are fantastic schools overseas for someone age 15/16. Depending on whether it’s right for the child and if they really want it, I think studying overseas opens up a whole world of opportunities (and fees I’ve seen in Europe are cheaper!) and I’d love for her to explore this having studied overseas myself (although not for dance). At 15/16 she can make an informed decision on her own and we will just be there to support her. At the moment, what she wants to be and where she wants to be changes from week to week but she does have the next few years to figure it out slowly.

I don’t think it would matter if you just ticked MA. But to be honest, I think most (if not all) tick both when the form is right in front of them even if they’re one of the rare few whose DC isn’t wanting to get a WL place. Interestingly, my DD told me that as far as she can tell, all the DCs in her MA class were either JAs or were at WL finals (mostly both).

Yes, that is true. But I do think that if your child is one of those lucky ones who get in, and the child starts to perhaps show signs of not thriving, how soon after this would: - the child admit to this without feeling guilty that he or she is giving up, especially since these DCs would have been told how fortunate, special, talented and privileged they are to be in that school? - the parent/s notice it if the DC tried to put on a brave face. - the parent thinks it’s time to leave as things are beyond the usual feeling homesick, settling in issues etc It’s true that all the bullying, eating and mental health issues also exist in normal schools but how many children (with the exception maybe of those who are primed to go to top ranked private or specialist schools) have been prepared to spend the next 5 years of their lives working towards a single goal almost? Most of these kids, and I believe that increasingly this is becoming to be the case, have had a lot of time and money invested in them to get to that stage where they get a full time offer. I would say these kids are more likely to think twice about admitting to struggling when they know full well that mum and dad has spent a lot of money on lessons, classes, privates, associates, petrol and a lot of time waiting for them and taking them places. Of course I could be wrong and this is only my opinion but I think leaving (for example) WL would take a lot more thinking and family decision than someone who’s moving from one comprehensive secondary school to another.

I remember going through a lot of these threads when my DD was in years 5/6 as I knew this question would come up and the possibility of her wanting to go “full time” at 11 was likely because a lot of peers at dance school were very intense and focused with a single goal in mind. Thankfully my DD was never that committed to going full time, and perhaps strangely, was never really interested in going to what I believe is the top school of choice for most at age 11. However, my point is that in speaking to a LOT of parents in the last few years, despite knowing full well of these concerns and being aware of threads such as this, if given the offer to a certain school, I’d say 99% would accept regardless of whether they think their child will cope. Even those who I spoke to who voiced concerns about 11 being too young to go away seem to forget this when they get the golden ticket, especially to a certain school where they know most people would think it nuts to turn down a full time offer from. Even when they read threads like this, I don’t think it will change their decision and they probably believe their child won’t go through the same and will get “used to it”. I know a lot of parents who are aware of these stories and many more but I also know these same parents won’t turn down an offer given the chance. They will then revert from “11 is too young to go away” to “it’s character building” or “it’s good for them to know the dance world is tough early on” or “it’s the opportunity of a lifetime”. As someone quite removed from this, I actually don’t know what’s right or wrong but I guess for some it works and their child thrives (or would seem to). Bottom line is that I have to admit I don’t envy those who have to make this decision soon.