Gaynor Minden: Redefining Pointe Shoes Since 1993

Gaynor Minden began in 1993 in New York City, after outgrowing John and Eliza Minden’s small Manhattan apartment. With just one part-time employee and one groundbreaking product — Eliza’s patented pointe shoe, developed over eight years — we introduced the first successful modernization of ballet’s most iconic footwear.

Today, we’re a global brand found in hundreds of dance-specialty stores across the U.S. and through distributors in over 85 countries. More than 200 professional companies — including American Ballet Theatre, The Royal Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, The Bolshoi, The Mariinsky, and San Francisco Ballet — dance in Gaynor Mindens. While still family-owned, we now have offices on three continents, united by our commitment to innovation and tradition.

Our range has grown from a single stiff-shank model to a wide variety of fitting options: ultra-flexible shanks and boxes, narrow-heeled styles for a sleek fit, longer sizes, built-in suede tips for durability, and multiple skin-tone satins alongside classic pink. Dancers can also customize through special orders.

In 2020, production moved from the U.S. to our new family-run factory in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Using the same American-made, high-tech internal components, every pair is handmade by skilled shoemakers using time-honored methods — with our signature flexible shanks, boxes, and Poron® Performance Cushioning.

Our journey hasn’t been without controversy. In a tradition-loving art form, change can be met with skepticism. We were dubbed “Cheater Shoes,” accused of being part of a CIA plot, and even portrayed as the villain on social media. But with the encouragement of forward-thinking dancers and teachers, we’ve continued refining our shoes — proving that innovation and respect for tradition can coexist beautifully.

At Gaynor Minden, we believe ballet’s timeless artistry deserves equipment that supports today’s athletes in pointe shoes built for performance, protection, and longevity.