Parts of a ballet (pointe) shoe?

Question:

Parts of a ballet (pointe) shoe?

What is the shank and the vamp of a pointe shoe for ballet? Also, I'm going to start classes this summer and I need help picking shoes. any suggestions?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: The shank is is the narrow supporting spine inside the pointe shoe and the vamp is the part of the shoe that holds it on your foot. For a beginner I would suggest using Sansha's or capizios, after all that's what i started out with. These might take a little bit of time to break in. I've been taking ballet for 12 years and have been on pointe for at least 4.