Exotic Pole & Pleasers

Pleaser is one of the largest brands for pole dance/exotic pole, strippers and dancers. Pleaser Heels are therefore indispensable in the film Hustlers:





But what makes Pleasers so popular with Exotic pole, dancers and strippers? The most common answer is: comfort. Even though they may not seem like the most comfortable choice; these sexy heels are without doubt designed with dancing and standing throughout the long evening hours and nights in mind.

What makes Pleasers so particularly suitable for exotic pole and pole dancing? Here's a little lesson on Pleasers. In this example we chose to use the 'classic stripper heel'; but everything mentioned below also applies to the other styles in the Pleaser Platform Collection (such as ankle boots, mid-calf boots, knee boots, over the knee boots, pumps and mules) (Source: polepedia, experiences from poledancers and @Tiff_finney)

The Anatomy of Pleaser Heeled Sandals:



Curved Front (Curved Outsole)
This is a very important part of the anatomy of the heels. The curved outsole allows you to pivot, pirouette, diamond roll, rock forward and stand on tiptoe with ease.

Don't worry if you feel the heel pivots are too stiff for this, or if you get stuck in movements that are easy to do without heels! This part of the heel is the part you want to stand on to get those moves back. If it doesn't work, you're probably using the bottom of the sole; the large, flat area underneath the platform. If you want to do these moves, make sure your toes are pointing down/forward, and you'll find it's easier to rock slightly on this curved part of the outsole. It's a small adjustment, but it makes a big difference! For real dragging/sliding: use the upper part of the front; it is smoother, making it easier to make sliding movements. This is a bit more risky when you're standing on very high platform shoes, so make sure you train your ankles properly to make these movements to avoid ankle injuries.

Raised insole/slightly overhanging toe edge (Curved Insole)
Because the insole protrudes slightly over the edge of the platform, you prevent your toes from touching the floor and being crushed when doing floorwork, sweeps, slides and other movements where you use the front of the heels.

The slightly raised insole helps protect your toes during floorwork, where there your feet will most likely be pushed slightly forward in the sandal. Examples of moves where this can happen include kips, sweeps, toe drags, slides, and rolls. Another benefit is that it helps keep the toes in place with minimal effort. Overhanging toes are of course not desirable and will definitely cause painful toes!

Angled platform sole (Angled Toe Box)
The angled toe box (slanted nose), also known as the platform, is an incredibly useful tool that helps you slide backwards or rock to the ground, among other things. You'll notice that if you try a few movements with your toes pointing forward, the angle of the nose interacts with the ridge near your toes to create a seamless line that glides easily across the floor. It's nice to think that such a simple adjustment as the angle of the platform makes life on the dance floor so much easier, besides the fact that a straight nose looks rather awkward and square.

To avoid confusion, it is important to take note that with normal shoes, the "toe box" is the closed area that goes around the toes. However, Pleasers are not normal shoes (although they certainly won't look out of place on a night out) the toe box on Pleasers is the raised platform on which the front of your foot rests; best known as the platform.

Padded insole (Padded lining)
The padded insole provides the ultimate comfortable experience from Pleasers. The padded insole softens your feet and provides support for long hours of wearing and using the heels. It also helps to have the heels connect (countour) well to your feet because they mold to your feet and this provides support to the entire leg, so that they will tire less quickly/ help avoid fatigue. This, in combination with the arch support offered by the padded insole, is why Pleasers are considered more comfortable than 'normal' heels. Pleaser has also developed special gel insoles for even more support in the important areas of the feet.

Angled Heel
The sloping heel helps support the back of your feet, which is resting directly above the heel. This ensures optimal balance and this support helps to reduce any fatigue or cramps you might experience with normal heels.

Pole dancing in normal heels is not only hard on your feet, but also on your calves, knees and hip joints. Pleasers are designed to avoid these problems so that there is no long-term discomfort or injury.

Another way the slanted heel can help you in pole dancing is that they are easy and comfortable to grab onto when doing a move that focuses on flexibility. Where you normally may not be able to bend back far enough to grab your feet, the heel gives you a few centimeters more to work with and therefore a greater chance that you will manage to grab the heel.

Fun fact!
The part on the inside of the heel is called the "Breast", and many pole dancers choose to apply a different color to it or decorate it with glitter or crystals for a nice contrasting effect of color or shimmer.

One-Piece Platform Sole (One-Piece Shank)
The one-piece platform sole helps to give your feet optimal arch support. Where normal heels will bend and move with your feet while dancing, this (made of hard plastic) platform sole supports your feet so that you can easily dive to the floor in one movement and get back up again without fear that the sole will not be able to handle it.

This one-piece shank is the backbone of the Pleaser heels that allows us to sexy-sumo-squat to the ground with those beautiful pointed toes, diamond-legs around the pole and come to a stand - all without our toes touching the ground.

It is important to remember - if you decide to shop heels other than Pleaser shoes - that you always look for a one-piece shank. In addition to the fact that a two-part platform has an (ugly) crease(fold), it is also likely to break very quickly. And the last thing you want is for your sole to break under the weight of your feet!

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Because pole dancing as a sport has increased in popularity in recent years, Pleaser heels are seen outside the strip clubs and Exotic pole dancing world more and more. Originally the stripper heels are transparent (lucite) like the Treasure 708 in the picture above. Pleaser also has a Specialty Collection with 'typical' exotic/stripper heels; think of lots of glitter and crystals, see-throughs in the platform bottom, filled platform bottoms, lights in the platforms or heels and platforms with a special shape.

Because there are of course also men, transgenders, drag queens and crossdressers, but also women with a larger size who like to wear these heels, many Pleaser styles can be found in a wide range of sizes. Usually from size 35 up to size 45.

Today Stripper Heels/Exotic Pole Shoes are seen in all colors, shapes, materials and effects and vary in heel height; 14 cm (5½") to 25.4 cm (10") and platform height; 3.8 cm (1½") to 16 cm (6⅓"). In addition to sandals (ankle strap sandals); ankle boots, mid-calf boots, knee boots and over-the-knee boots are also popular; especially the latter are widely used in patent leather in the pole dance world because they provide extra grip in the pole.

In addition to popularity in the exotic pole world, Pleaser is also a beloved brand for many artists such as Lady Gaga, Cara Delevingne, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Kylie Jenner, Katy Perry en Melanie Martinez.

Do you have a specific question about a certain model/style, or do you just want to come visit us and try on heels in our showroom; don't hesitate to send us an email with your question or to make an appointment!

Info@kinky-shoes.nl