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Karl Heinz Martin Ballet Shoes, By Sansha

Index

• Introduction
• Ballet Slippers
• Sara Ballet Slippers
• M001 Stretch Ballet Slippers
• Pointe Shoes
• Eva Pointe Shoes
• Karla Pointe Shoes
• Evita Pointe Shoes
• Karl-Heinz Martion shoes Options
• Maker
• Vamp Length
• Box Width
• Heel Height
• Sole Informations
• Philosophy
• History
• Where to Buy ?
• In Europe
• In America
• In Asia


Do you know Karl-Heinz Martin ?
It is one of the numerous ballet shoes maker worldwide. You may think "yes, and so ? ". What makes Karl-Heinz Martin ballet shoes so different is that ... quite nobody knows them !
Karl-Heinz Martin is one of those so-rare ballet brand which still sells hand made ballet shoes, made by specialized, trained and used hands, not by those far-east countries hands, where the most important part is the number of pairs made per day, not the intrinsequal quality of each pair !

Karl-Heinz Martin only makes ballet shoes, and still they have a very limited collection of ballet shoes.


• 
  Ballet Slippers (so called Training Shoes) :
Karl-Heinz Martin offer 2 slippers models, Sara and M001

• 
  Sara is a split sole ballet slippers, available (as all Karl-Heinz Martin ballet shoes) several width, vamps, vamp cut, ... What is quite important is that this ballet slipper's available in Leather and canvas.
  
  Karl-Heinz Martin Sara Ballet slippers in White.
• 
  M001 Stretch One brings top the ballet dancer an unprecedented dance sensation: So light and supple you will forget you are wearing shoes.
  Thanks to a unique lengthwise stretch canvas, the M001 Stretch-One offers both comfort and performance. As with all Karl-Heinz Martin products, it was designed with total loyalty to the tradition and processes developed by Mr. Karl-Heinz Martin in Germany - combining skilled craftmanship and innovation.
  M001 Stretch One Specifications :
  • Split sole
  • Low cut and high cut
  • Criss-cross elastic at the front
  • Available in black and in white
  • Left and right shoes
  • Enhances the foot arch and line
  • Exclusive comfort
  • State of the art material
  • Customized shoes
  
  
  Karl-Heinz Martin M001 Ballet slippers in black.

• Pointe Shoes :
Karl-Heinz Martin offers 3 different pointe shoes models, Eva, Karla and Evita. All of those 3 models are available the following options :
• Width (from normal to extra wide),
• Vamp (from short to extra long),
• Vamp Cut (either round of V-pointed),
• Sole hardness (from normal to extra hard),
• Inner sole (either "full", 3/4 or 1/2),
• Heel Height,
• Color (white, black or pink)
To allow the dancer to choose the exact shoe she does need.
Karl-Heinz Martin Pointe shoes collection is made of :


• Eva is the "classical" pointe shoe, and also is the top model of Karl-Heinz Martin Klassische Ballettschuhe and has long since become a classic in the ballet scene. As in the past, it is hand-made by experienced specialists following the guidelines of the founder Karl-Heinz Martin. The name of the individual shoemaker is stamped into each of the soles.
  
  Karl-Heinz Martin Eva pointe shoes, in white.

• Karla pointe shoes are an evolution from Eva, with more room inside the box, and a wider platform, to allow more balance to the ballerina while dancing "en pointe".
  
  
  Karl-Heinz Martin Karla pointe shoes, in white.

• Evita pointe shoes ar for the most advanced ballet dancer, featuring full shanks with 3 different strength, to allow the exact needed support.
  
  Karl-Heinz Martin Evita pointe shoes, in white.


The most surprising part in Karl-Heinz Martin's phylosophy is the way pointe shoes selection and design is thought. Not only each pointe shoe, when created, is double (if not triple) checked, it is also available in one of the widest choice of options :

• 
  Who will be the maker of your shoes :
  Karl-Heinz Martin pointe shoes are made by real human, with specific technic and ability to each. A specific maker will have a specific way of sewing, glueing, ... and it is important, both for the beginner and the professionnal ballet dancer, to be sure that she will wear the exact same shoes each time !


• 
  Vamp Length :
  Karl-Heinz Martin Pointe shoes are available in 4 different vamp length, from K (very short vamp) to LL (very long vamp). High arched feet should use the longest vamp, while dancer with lower arch will prefer the very short one. The vamp is very important also to support "too much flexible" feet, as it will ensure the dancer will not go over-pointe.


• 
  Box Width
  Available in 4 different width (from D - the narrowest - to G - the widest), Karl-Heinz Martin pointe shoes will let all ballerina decide how stable they need their pointe shoes to be. The foot does not adapt to the pointe shoe anymore, the pointe shoes does adapt to the foot ... What a change !!


• 
  Heel Height
  Karl-Heinz Martin pointe shoes are available in 4 different heels height, from "down-down" (the lowest heel) to "high" (the highest).
  Very ofter neglected, the heel is one of the most vital part of the foot health, as its height will define where the "back pressure" is put on the foot. Such choice is very rare in "not tailor made" pointe shoes and therefore must be insisted on.


Sole Informations

As most of ballet shoes Makers, Karl-Heinz Martin pointe shoes have all their "informations" written on them, under the outsole.


• 1 - Dancer's name (you do not need anymore to mark your shoes :-])
• 2 - Shoe Maker's mark
• 3 - Vamp Cut
• 4 - Size
• 5 - Shoes Width
• 6 - Vamp Height
• 7 - Heel Height
• 8 - Production Number (Serial Number of the shoes)

 



Philosophy

One thing is quite significant of Karl-Heinz Martin's philosophy in ballet shoes .... They do not call ballet slippers ballet slippers but training shoes. At first, we thought it was a translation issue (remember KHM is a german company) but we do not think so. Ballet slippers are made to make the ballerina grow, to train and developp her skills and ability to dance. Pointe shoes should also be called in a different way, maybe "Performance shoes" or "Ballerina shoes", as they often mean that the ballet dancer has achieved a level of perfection and excellence that will let her be able to pointe dance.



Now, a bit of History about karl-Heinz Martin


As Karl-Heinz Martin started to manufacture ballet shoes in 1964, he only had one vision: to offer dancers the best possible basis for a perfect performance.
The word performance should not only stand for the artistic act itself but also for an outstanding accomplishment. He created the pointe shoe "Eva", which conquered the market within a very short time and is still danced with by the professional dancers of great ballet and opera houses all over the world.

In 2004 and 2005, the company "Karl-Heinz Martin Klassische Ballettschuhe GmbH" was taken over by Michaela Martin, the daughter of the founder, following his principals. With this background, she further enhanced the representation of the company and stated her mission as follows:

We are highly qualified manufacturers of ballet shoes for ambitious dancers - from beginners, advanced dancers to professionals. Our products meet the highest demands on quality, functionality, ergonomics and aesthetics.
With their unique material, made exclusively of natural products, the Karl-Heinz Martin Ballet pointe shoes offer dancers the greatest possible comfort. We prepare our products according to requirements and create thereby the basis for optimal freedom of movement.
A further special requirement applies to our young dancers, at the beginning of their careers or those who are already advanced. The excellent fit, the exact production of the toe section, the biological methods of manufacture are appreciated by our young dancers where it is most important - in the health of their feet and legs."

Latest news:
In 2006, Mrs Martin transferred the manufacturing and distribution to Sansha Europa which will continue the manufacturing tradition in the heart of Europe, in Hungary, near the Balaton lake. Sansha is one of the top manufacturers of dancewear and dance shoes.

Mr Franck Raoul-Duval, CEO of Sansha, is proud to carry on the heritage of traditional European pointe-shoe making.

 



Karl-Heinz Martin Ballet shoes Manufacturing

It goes without saying that apart from the high standard of quality the production is independent of third party manufacturers. Therefore, all Karl-Heinz Martin-products are manufactured in their own workshop in Hungary by highly qualified specialists. At the factory's location in Siófok ballet shoes are created which are danced with in Los Angeles and Seoul as well as in Cape Town and Munich.
All of Karl-Heinz Martin pointe shoes are made with a simple modo, By hand and heart.

     



Where to buy Karl-Heinz Martin Ballet shoes ?

Karl-Heinz Martin-shoes are available in assorted specialist shops :


• In Europe
• Pauls & Co.
  Streitzeuggasse 6
  50667 Koln
  Phone: 0221 2573797
  Fax: 0221 2573954
  E-Mail: info@paulsballett.de
  Internet : http://www.paulsballett.de/
  Country: Germany
  
• Schlamberger P&J
  Novo Polje c.X/13
  1260 Ljubljana
  Phone: +386 1 5491100
  Fax: +386 1 5491105
  E-Mail: info@schlamberger.si
  Internet : http://www.lapisholds.com/
  Country: Slovenia
  
• Modern Line
  Neustadt 26
  D - 35037 Marburg
  Phone: 06421 - 61299
  Oder: 06421 - 620988
  Fax: 60421 - 61299
  E-Mail: info@modern-line-tanzbedarf.de
  Internet: http://www.modern-line-tanzbedarf.de
  Country: Germany
  
• American Dancewear
  Werkstrasse 5
  24955 Harrislee
  Phone: 0461 7702552
  Fax: 0461 7002067
  E-Mail: sales@american-dancewear.de
  Internet: http://www.american-dancewear.de/
  Country: Germany
  
• Ballett Shop Bern
  Munstergasse 48
  3011 Bern
  Phone: 0041 31 311 30 40
  Fax: 0041 31 311 30 89
  E-Mail: info@ballettshopsuisse.ch
  Internet : http://www.ballettshopsuisse.ch/
  Country: Switzerland
  
• Dance World
  Kapuzinergasse 24
  86150 Augsburg
  Phone: 0821 513917
  Fax: 0821 513937
  E-Mail: DanceCenterNo1@t-online.de
  Internet : http://come.to/DanceCenter
  Country: Germany
  
• Duet BVBA
  Willem Lepelstraat 28
  2000 Antwerpen
  Phone: 0032324 87705
  Fax: 0032324 87705
  E-Mail: info@duetballet.com
  Country: Belgium
  
• Girgin Ltd. STI
  Lamartin Cad. Fulya Apt. 22/3
  80090 Istanbul
  Phone: 0090 0212 2505538
  Fax: 0090 0212 2507513
  Country: Turkey
  
• MAX
  Krugenofen 36
  52066 Aachen
  Phone: 0241 600060
  Fax: 0241 6000666
  E-Mail: info@max-ballettbekleidung.de
  Internet : http://www.max-ballettbekleidung.de/
  Country: Germany
  
• Pro Danse
  Alte Schanhauser Strasse 16
  10119 Berlin
  Phone: 030 24722096
  Fax: 030 24722098
  E-Mail: info@prodanse.de
  Internet : http://www.prodanse.de/
  Country: Germany
  
• D.T.C. - Dance Trading Company s.r.l.
  76, Via Orzinuovi
  25125 Brescia
  Phone: 0039 030 353 38 23
  Fax: 0039 030 354 73 23
  E-Mail: info@coppelia.com
  Internet : http://www.coppelia.com/
  Country: Italy
  
• Ballettboutique Arabesque
  Schrannengasse 10
  5020 Salzburg
  Name: Eva Gabauer
  Phone: +43 662 887485
  Fax: +43 662 887485
  E-Mail: office@ballettboutique.at
  Country: Austria
  
• Gabriele Lutz
  Olgastrasse 34
  70178 Stuttgart
  Phone: 0711 606300
  Fax: 0711 6407504
  E-Mail: info@gabriele-lutz.de
  Internet : http://www.gabriele-lutz.de/
  Country: Germany
  

• In America
• Attitude Dancewear
  9621 Westview Dr,
  Coral Springs, Florida 33076
  Phone: 001 954 755 5722
  Fax: 001 954 341 2713
  E-Mail: crangel@attitudedancewear.com
  Internet : http://www.attitudedancewear.com/
  Country: USA
  
• Dancer's pointe
  2821 Penn Avenue
  15222 Pittsburgh
  Phone: 001 412 3918833
  Fax: 0014123918899
  E-Mail: jcambell@pittsburghballet.org
  Country: USA
  

• In Asia
• Tomon Co. Ltd.
  1-48-7 Minami Ohtsuka, Toshima-Ku
  Tokyo
  Phone: 0081 3 3945 5670
  Fax: 0081 3 395 5720
  E-Mail: tomonpoint@rapid.ocn.ne.jp
  Country: Japan
  
• Julie Co.Ltd.
  2-23-10, Koenji-minami, Suginami ku
  Tokyo,136
  Phone: 0081 03 33153100
  Fax: 0081 03 33143769
  E-Mail: info@sylvia.co.jp
  Internet : http://www.sylvia.co.jp/
  Country: Japan