Bloch is an Australian dancewear brand, founded in Sydney in the 1930s and best known for its pointe shoes and ballet slippers. Today, it covers almost every discipline, from ballet and jazz to tap shoes and dance sneakers. Here is what you need to know to make an informed choice when selecting a Bloch model or an alternative.
A history that began in a Sydney workshop
Jacob Bloch, a shoemaker born in Lithuania, arrived in Sydney in the early 1930s. He set up a small shop in Paddington and made dance shoes to order, one pair at a time. The brand dates its founding to 1932.
Word of mouth spread through touring companies. In 1934, Russian ballerina Olga Spessivtseva, who was touring Australia, ordered custom-made pointe shoes from him. Dancers from the Russian Ballet passing through the country soon became customers. The company remains family-run and is now managed by the third generation. It has expanded internationally and celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2022.
What Bloch makes today
The range is extensive. The main categories are:
- Pointe shoes: the brand's historic core, with several box, shank, and foot shapes.
- Ballet slippers (known as demi-pointes in France): leather or canvas, with full or split soles.
- Jazz, tap, and character shoes.
- Dance sneakers for jazz, hip-hop, Zumba, or musical theatre.
- Dancewear: leotards, tights, and warm-up outfits.
Some well-known models
Ranges evolve, so always check availability and specifications on the official website or with a retailer. Among the models featured by Bloch itself:
Heritage Pointe Shoes
Launched in 2007, according to the brand, they are among its flagship models. Bloch highlights a box with pleating designed to reduce noise, a medium-strength shank, and a cupped heel. A version with a harder shank is also available.
European Balance Pointe Shoes
Another of the brand's bestsellers, built on a curved shape that follows the natural contour of the foot, with a fairly wide platform.
Eurostretch Pointe Shoes
A more recent range whose split outsole is designed to support the arch as the foot moves from flat to pointe.
Performa Ballet Slippers
Stretch canvas slippers that are very flexible and lightweight, and conform to the shape of the foot. They are often worn by dancers who want a clean line without reinforcement.
Boost DRT Sneaker
A dance sneaker with a split sole, arch support, a pivot zone under the forefoot, and heel cushioning. Originally designed for jazz and funk, it is often used for Zumba or musical theatre. The brand specifies that it should not be worn outdoors.
Choosing the right Bloch model
For pointe shoes: never without a fitting
A pointe shoe cannot be chosen from a photo. Box width, platform length, shank strength, foot profile: everything is determined during a fitting, ideally in a specialist shop with a trained staff member and with your teacher's approval. Bloch sizes do not correspond to standard shoe sizes, and the fit varies from one model to another. Our guide to choosing ballet pointe shoes details the criteria.
For ballet slippers and sneakers
The risk is lower, but the size still needs to be checked. For the Boost DRT sneaker, Bloch itself recommends choosing a larger size than your standard shoe size; consult the brand's chart for each model. As a general rule, measure your foot in centimetres and compare it to the manufacturer's size guide rather than your usual shoe size.
Where to buy Bloch in France?
The brand sells online via its European website and is stocked by many physical and online dance shops. For pointe shoes, choose a shop where they will fit you. For ballet slippers and sneakers, buying online is an option if you already know your size in the brand.
Bloch and other brands
| Brand | Origin | Known specialities |
|---|---|---|
| Bloch | Australia (Sydney) | Pointe shoes, ballet slippers, jazz, dance sneakers, clothing |
| Capezio | United States | Ballet slippers, jazz, tap shoes, clothing |
| Werner Kern, Anna Kern | Germany | Ballroom and Latin dance shoes |
| Dansezo | French online shop | Salsa, ballroom, Latin, ballet, jazz, accessible selection |
For more information, our dance shoe brand comparison and our guide to Capezio present the other players in the market.
An alternative for ballet slippers and dance shoes
For pointe shoes, a specialist brand and an in-store fitting remain the best approach. For training ballet slippers, jazz shoes, or sneakers, a more accessible selection may be sufficient, especially for beginners or children who quickly outgrow their shoes. At Dansezo, you will find ballet slippers, demi-pointes, and dance sneakers in European sizes, with free delivery on orders over €50 in mainland France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, and Switzerland. Send the length of your foot in centimetres to contact@dansezo.fr for free sizing advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bloch an Australian brand?
Yes. The company was founded in Sydney by Jacob Bloch, a shoemaker who arrived from Lithuania, and dates its founding to 1932. It has remained family-run and now sells in many countries, including France.
Can you buy Bloch pointe shoes online?
It is possible, but not recommended for a first pair or when changing models. A pointe shoe must be fitted, ideally with a trained person and your teacher's approval. Once the model and size have been confirmed, reordering the same model online is easier.
Do Bloch sizes correspond to my standard shoe sizes?
Not necessarily. Sizes vary depending on the type of shoe and the model, and the brand sometimes recommends choosing a larger size, as with its Boost DRT sneaker. Measure your foot in centimetres and follow the model's size guide.
What is the difference between Heritage and European Balance pointe shoes?
According to Bloch, the Heritage features a quiet box, a medium-strength shank, and a cupped heel. The European Balance is built on a curved shape that follows the contour of the foot, with a fairly wide platform. Only a fitting will tell which one suits your foot.