| Dance has been a socially important activity for | | | | Jacob Bloch was a great lover of ballet dance, and |
| hundreds, maybe thousands of years. It is a form of | | | | when he moved to Australia in 1931 he was keen to |
| entertainment, a form of exercise and a form of | | | | follow his interest and attended many dance studios. |
| social interaction. Today, dance is popular with people | | | | The story goes that Bloch spotted a young lady |
| of all ages, and endless variety allows both novices | | | | having difficulty with her shoes when going on pointe, |
| and professional dancers to enjoy it either as a | | | | and promised to make a superior pair which would |
| pastime or as an occupation. | | | | allow her to fulfil her potential. The shoes he made |
| Parents and schools are under increasing pressure to | | | | were successful, and word spread quickly through |
| teach youngsters fun ways of staying fit and | | | | the dance community. |
| healthy, and dance is an obvious choice - it is | | | | Soon famous dancers from all corners of the globe |
| considered fashionable and fun, and is something a lot | | | | were requesting specially tailored shoes and Bloch |
| of celebrity role models excel in. Of course it is not | | | | was happy to oblige. His unwavering commitment to |
| only children and young people who can benefit from | | | | producing the very best for his clients demonstrated |
| learning a dance style; it can help adults of all | | | | his perfectionism and appreciation of the art that is |
| generations to keep supple and mobile. | | | | dance. Today his grandson, David Wilkenfeld Bloch, is |
| One thing that all new dancers have in common is | | | | the managing director of the international company |
| the need for suitable attire. With dance, the kind of | | | | and he shares his ancestor's passion. The |
| clothing you wear will depend on the kind of dance | | | | understanding of dancers has been key to the |
| you are performing - ballet and tap, for example, | | | | ongoing success of the brand - those who want to |
| have different clothing needs. Luckily there are | | | | perform best need shoes and garments which allow |
| numerous manufacturers of good quality dancewear - | | | | them to do so, but also look stunning. |
| Bloch, Capezio and Pineapple are just three of these. | | | | So generations of dancers can be expected to enjoy |
| As an individual, the kind of dance clothing and | | | | and appreciate the craftsmanship and thought which |
| footwear you choose will vary according to personal | | | | goes into each Bloch design, and will be inspired by |
| taste and dance style. Bloch supply outfits for all | | | | the story of one man's ambition to make the very |
| kinds of dancers - men, women and children. Their | | | | best dance apparel. It is worth remembering that just |
| selection of leotards, tights and accessories are ideal | | | | because a brand has history it is not necessarily |
| for dances from ballet to hip hop, and their range of | | | | stuck in the past - Bloch keep abreast of modern |
| footwear caters for all sorts. When choosing good | | | | technologies and techniques and integrate them into |
| quality dance clothing, it is important to know a bit | | | | their styles in order to provide the very best for |
| about the background of the company producing it. | | | | their customers. |