My name is Leanne Stojmenov. I started my professional career at the West Australian Ballet and after two years took up the opportunity to join The Australian Ballet. After many years of hard work, I was promoted to the rank of Principal Artist where I was honoured to lead this wonderful company for eight years. Needless to say, I have been through MANY pairs of pointe shoes and with MANY pointe shoes comes a lot of experience! I have learned the intricacies of fine-tuning the tools of my trade. Towards the end of my training as a student, I was going through five pairs of shoes a week! I wish I had Hard. Pointe during this time!

What I love most about Hard. Pointe is the ritual and art of caring for pointe shoes. It is an extension of the application, passion, detail and determination required in this art form. I feel there are gimmicks and 'shortcuts' to help dancers but in reality, there are none. You cannot hide as a ballerina. The work and care is evident and this extends to how you prepare your shoes. The detail, the care and nuance of creating an exceptional tool is up to the individual. 

As a professional, I went through many pairs of trial shoes as I was fortunate to work with my pointe shoe manufacturers. A standard stock shoe was adapted to cater to the shape of my foot but, after 30 plus trials, I decided to use a standard stock shoe. This way I could create exactly what I wanted. 

I took the greatest of care when preparing my pointe shoes, from sewing my ribbons and elastic, to the way they were cut and hardened. Excellence is built on routine and repetition and the preparation of my shoes in my own particular way was the ritual that contributed to me being the best that I could be.

Ritual and preparation for excellence is the ethos of  Hard. Pointe.