| At the forefront in innovative new designs, Capezio is deserving of it’s reputation as experts in the field of clothing and shoes for dance, theatre and recreation. The brand has recently opened two new stores – one in London and the other in Amsterdam. This is a sure sign of the brand’s continuing success and desire to provide quality products to an ever wider and more demanding client base. In addition to this, Capezio enhance their reputation by appearing with bespoke stands at major dance shows. Here they can prove their ability to cater for the differing requirements of people who attend.
It is interesting to find that this major company was started off by one young man who chose not to follow in his father’s business as a construction engineer, and became a cobbler instead. Born in Muro Lucano, Italy in the year 1871, Salvatore Capezio discovered at a young age that there was in fact an art and a science in shoemaking that many others did not recognise. He learned to be a cobbler initially, before branching out into the field of actually making shoes. At the age of 17 he opened his first shop in New York and advertised his skills as a “historical and theatrical shoe” maker. As with any product that is of amazing quality whilst using cutting edge new techniques and designs, Capezio’s products were selling extremely well and he needed to expand the business. His family were the first to assist with the manufacture of his products and organization of the company in general. This demonstrated Capezio’s passion and love for his work through the fact he initially only allowed his relatives to assist as he trusted them to maintain his exacting standards and the overall quality of his creations.
Demand continued to grow and many highly respected shops began to stock the products, which were being widely used in Broadway musicals, among other things. With this impressive support from professional actors and dancers still growing, so did the brand’s fame. In 1949, Capezio was on the very cover of Vogue magazine, just three years later in 1952 the Coty award was presented to Capezio, such was the influence of the designs in the field of fashion.
Not only were awards received, but soon the company created it’s own award – The Capezio dance Award, to recognise contribution and dedication to the world of dance. This was started alongside and as a part of The Capezio Foundation, which also served to promote achievement in dance and related arts and activities.
In modern times the brand is still synonymous with exceptional quality and cutting edge designs. The fact they supply renowned performances such as “The Lion King” and “Cats”, as well as both Disneyland and Disneyworld. Many others, such as circuses, dance schools and ice skating performers. With such a history of dedication to perfection and a deep understanding of the target artists and performers - and their needs - customer loyalty is not very much of a surprise. Over a hundred years since Capezio himself set up his initial shop near Broadway, his dream of providing the very best in dancewear lives on.
For further information regarding our range of ballet shoes, please visit our website at http://www.dancedirect.com. |
