Interviews with Freed of London’s Longest Running Pointe Shoe Makers – Part 2
Interviews with Freed of London’s Longest Running Pointe Shoe Makers – Part 1
February 20, 2020
Dance Origins: Rumba
March 5, 2020
Are you ready for part two?! We recently paid homage to our trainee pointe shoe makers, so last week we took the time to ask two of our longest running makers in the Freed of London factory a few questions about their time crafting shoes for us. This week we will feature two more of our dedicated makers in part two of Interviews with Freed of London’s Longest Running Pointe Shoe Makers
Mo
1. When did you start working for Freed of London?
In the summer of 2005.
2. What is your maker stamp?
The ‘V’ stamp.
3. Do you have any happy memories that stand out from your time working here? Could you tell us about that?
My favourite memory was when I met my dancers – the ones that wear my pointe shoes.
4. Where were you working before you joined Freed of London?
Before joining Freed of London, I was working in a tube light factory.
5. How do you continue to perfect your craft?
You have to just keep practicing, that’s the only way – practice makes perfect!
6. You have been working closely with the same people for so long – do you feel like you are working with a second family?
Yes it does feel like that, we get along really well and always help one another.
7. Why do you think the future for Freed is exciting?
As long as we continue to do what we know how to do well, we will always have a bright future.
8. Pointe shoe making is a difficult trade to perfect, how long did it take to get to your current level of skill?
It took me about a year to learn the trade at the start, but there is always room for learning.
9. You have been here for a significant amount of time, but would you say you’re still learning new things/lessons?
Yes, you can always get tips from other makers.
10. Why do you think so many dancers choose to predominantly use Freed of London shoes and products?
Because we make great shoes, and that’s the most important thing dancers look for.
11. Can you tell us a bit about the way Freed of London as a company used to be? What do you think has changed the most over the years?
The quality of the product is constantly getting better as we grow with the ballet industry.
Ray
1. When did you start working for Freed of London?
4th April 1989.
2. What is your maker stamp?
The Crown stamp.
3. Do you have any happy memories that stand out from your time working here? Could you tell us about that?
The times I met the dedicated dancers that wear my shoes.
4. Where were you working before you joined Freed of London?
Before working here, I was working in a different type of shoe factory.
5. How do you continue to perfect your craft?
Just like most trades, it takes a lot of time, practice and experience.
6. You have been working closely with the same people for so long – do you feel like you are working with a second family?
Yes, we all get along well.
7. Why do you think the future for Freed is exciting?
Every day we continue to make good shoes, which means the future for Freed will always be exciting.
8. Pointe shoe making is a difficult trade to perfect, how long did it take to get to your current level of skill?
When I first started, it took me about a year to learn, after that it’s just time and experience.
9. You have been here for a significant amount of time, but would you say you’re still learning new things/lessons?
Yes, it doesn’t matter how long you do it, there is always room for learning.
10. Why do you think so many dancers choose to predominantly use Freed of London shoes and products?
Because we make great shoes.
11. Can you tell us a bit about the way Freed of London as a company used to be? What do you think has changed the most over the years?
The quality of the shoes just keeps getting better and better.
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