What is your pointe shoe secret? Episode 2: Elizaveta Gogidze
- Ikuko
- Feb 25
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 26
The episode 2 of the What is your pointe shoe secret? interview series features Elizaveta Gogidze, or Liza.
Liza asked me to bespoke-design a leotard a few weeks ago. The end product came out so nice I asked her if I could launch it as a regular custom item on my shop and she kindly agreed. Guess what, the leotard is Liza, which is obviously named after her.
I have a pleasure to take morning classes with her in The Hague, the Netherlands (for me, joining the class is almost an act of self-destruction). She and other professional dancers with the Ukrainian International Ballet kindly accommodate me, so I asked her if I could interview her for this post. And she again kindly accepted!
So, here are her secrets.
Can you tell us about yourself because the world needs to know?
My name is Elizaveta Gogidze…I am a Ukrainian ballerina with Georgian roots.
(First Soloist of the National Opera of Ukraine and principal ballerina of the United Ukrainian Ballet)
What brand of pointe shoes do you wear?
Gaynor Minden
What is your size, width, box, fitting and shank hardness?
Size 8,5, 3 box, narrow model, shank as soft as possible ... pink or purple bag.
The talking point of Gaynor Minden is now they have two models. Do you wear Europa or Lyra?
I still use the last stock of original Gaynor Minden pointe shoes that the National Opera of Ukraine gave me…It’s not comfortable for me to work in GM Europa, and I haven’t tried working in GM Lyra yet…
How long have you been wearing Gaynor? Did you notice any change before and after the covid pandemic?
I have been dancing in Gaynor Minden since my studies at the Kiev State Ballet School…I didn’t notice any changes after Covid…
Can you share a movie clip of how you customise your shoes?
How long does it take for you to finish customising a pair?
It usually takes three - four hours for me …
Do you like soft shanks better or hard shanks better?
Definitely soft shanks
New shoes or old shoes?
I definitely like the old soft pointe shoes... I feel much more comfortable in them than in the new ones. But for some roles old soft pointe shoes are not suitable...
What support or protection do you use, i.e. toe pads, taping, toe spacers etc?
Pointe cushion , toe pads, taping…
Do you use a specific pointe shoe elastic? (It looks Chacott to me)
Yes! I use a specific pointe shoe elastic Chacott instead of ribbons...
Have you tried any other brands?
No, I haven't tried other brands…
Do you use different shoes for different roles?
I dance only in Gaynor Minden... I use the suitable pair for each role... either old or new (if I need the harder pointe shoes)
How long a pair of shoes last?
It depends on the intensity of the work... I can dance in one pair of pointe shoes for several months.
Lastly, what is your ambition this year?
More interesting ballet projects and more new roles!
In addition being a beautiful dancer, Liza is a tiara maker. Have a look at her beautiful creations.
Image and movie clips courtesy of Elizaveta Gogidze
Personal note: I interviewed Liza on 24th February 2025, exactly three years since the war in Ukraine started. We all sincerely hope the war ends soon.
