Strong yet flexible: dancer Roberto Bolle on his collaboration with Tod’s
The Tod’s ambassador and world-famous principal dancer reveals the tricks of the ballet trade, and how he takes care of his greatest asset
When people ask me what it takes to be a professional dancer, it can be very difficult for me to answer. You have to have talent, but you also have to have passion. You have to be strong, but also very flexible. You have to have a presence on stage. It’s embodying elegance and charisma, because in the end it isn't just about being a good dancer, you have to be a star. You have to sacrifice yourself and your body for your work. I am very lucky that I haven't had any physical problems so far.
To look after myself, I do daily massages and get regular professional therapy, but it’s also important that I relax my feet outside of work. With Tod’s shoes, I feel like I’m wearing a sneaker, but with an elegant and innovative design, so they're the kind of shoes you can wear to a formal event too. The soft leather means I can really feel the difference when walking around after my day at work, but they still provide the strength and support that I need – they are very light, making them a good option for a long evening off stage.
ROBERTO BOLLE is a principal dancer at the world renowned La Scala Ballet Theatre in Milan and will be Guest Principal Dancer with the Royal Ballet in April, performing on the 11 and 16 April in Manon at London’s Royal Opera House. He is the face (with model Kendall Jenner) of Tod’s spring/summer 2018 campaign; tods.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The best homes of the year
Feature Featuring a grand turret entrance in New York and built-in glass elevator in Arizona
By The Week Staff Published
-
Nordstrom family, investor to take retail chain private
Speed Read The business will be acquired by members of the family and El Puerto de Liverpool, a Mexican real estate company
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden commutes most federal death sentences
Speed Read The president downgraded the punishment of 37 of 40 prisoners on death row to life in prison without parole
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sport on TV guide: Christmas 2022 and New Year listings
Speed Read Enjoy a feast of sporting action with football, darts, rugby union, racing, NFL and NBA
By Mike Starling Published
-
House of the Dragon: what to expect from the Game of Thrones prequel
Speed Read Ten-part series, set 200 years before GoT, will show the incestuous decline of Targaryen
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
One in 20 young Americans identify as trans or non-binary
Speed Read New research suggests that 44% of US adults know someone who is transgender
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Turner Prize 2022: a ‘vintage’ shortlist?
Speed Read All four artists look towards ‘growth, revival and reinvention’ in their work
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
What’s on TV this Christmas? The best holiday television
Speed Read From films and documentaries to musicals for all the family
By The Week Staff Published
-
Coco vision: up close to Chanel opticals
Speed Read Parisian luxury house adds opticals to digital offering
By The Week Staff Published
-
Abba returns: how the Swedish supergroup and their ‘Abba-tars’ are taking a chance on a reunion
Speed Read From next May, digital avatars of the foursome will be performing concerts in east London
By The Week Staff Published
-
‘Turning down her smut setting’: how Nigella Lawson is cleaning up her recipes
Speed Read Last week, the TV cook announced she was axing the word ‘slut’ from her recipe for Slut Red Raspberries in Chardonnay Jelly
By The Week Staff Published