Brand Spotlight: Gaynor Minden

Eliza Gaynor Minden was tired of dancers hurting their feet in traditional cardboard-and-paste pointe shoes.  After years of professional dance, Eliza worked to manufacture a safer, healthier pointe shoe made of plastic and foam and encased in higher quality satin.  Special “high tech” pointe shoes that can be customized to no end are Gaynor Minden’s biggest sellers, but the brand also produces leotards, tights, flat shoes, and warm-ups that are meant to appeal to serious dancers.

pronunciation	Gay-nor Mihnd-en
website	dancer.com
styles of dance included	ballet, pointe
types of items	shoes, bodywear, warm-ups, accessories
country of origin	USA
price point	luxury
quality	excellent
availability	Limited in US and abroad.  Full selection only available on dancer.com.  Some items available in local dancewear stores and on discountdance.com
sizing	pointe shoes: choose US street size to 1.5 sizes up depending on whether or not toe pads are worn leotards/bodywear: runs large (long straps, big arm holes) warm-ups: true to size
Jillian’s top pick	bamboo knitwear
Jillian’s item to avoid	none to speak of, but many dancers either love or despise Gaynor pointe shoes.