Object numberM2010/098
DescriptionBallet pointe shoes made by J. Bloch.
Jacob Simon Bloch (Yaakov Shimon) was born in Plungė (Plungyan), a 'shtetl' in Lithuania, in 1898. He was a master shoe and boot-maker who began many years of apprenticeship starting at age 11. He immigrated to Australia in 1930 during the Great Depression. Speaking little English, he began selling special ballet shoes to help dancers move gracefully onto the tips of their toes.
He rented a small shop in Oxford Street, Paddington, where he made dance shoes to order. For the students of Sydney's ballet schools, Bloch made flat ballet slippers, pointe shoes, tap shoes and national character dance shoes—including Russian Cossack boots and Irish and Scottish dance shoes.
When the Ballet Russe came to Australia, Jacob fitted the feet of some of Russia's most famous dancers, and even acted as an interpreter.
Now in the hands of the third generation, the Bloch brand is a preeminent international dance wear company.
Jacob Simon Bloch (Yaakov Shimon) was born in Plungė (Plungyan), a 'shtetl' in Lithuania, in 1898. He was a master shoe and boot-maker who began many years of apprenticeship starting at age 11. He immigrated to Australia in 1930 during the Great Depression. Speaking little English, he began selling special ballet shoes to help dancers move gracefully onto the tips of their toes.
He rented a small shop in Oxford Street, Paddington, where he made dance shoes to order. For the students of Sydney's ballet schools, Bloch made flat ballet slippers, pointe shoes, tap shoes and national character dance shoes—including Russian Cossack boots and Irish and Scottish dance shoes.
When the Ballet Russe came to Australia, Jacob fitted the feet of some of Russia's most famous dancers, and even acted as an interpreter.
Now in the hands of the third generation, the Bloch brand is a preeminent international dance wear company.
Production placeAustralia
SubjectEastern European migration, garment industry, achievers, establishing new life, Jewish businesses, designers (fashion)
Object nameshoes
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Betty Wilkenfeld