Capezio is an American brand of dance shoes and clothing, founded in 1887 in the New York workshop of a young Italian shoemaker, Salvatore Capezio. Today, it covers almost every discipline: classical dance, jazz, tap, contemporary, and ballroom dance. Its strength lies in the breadth of its range, from children's dance shoes to stage models.
The beginnings: a shoemaker facing the Metropolitan Opera
Salvatore Capezio was born in 1871 in Muro Lucano, in southern Italy. In 1887, he opened a small shoe repair shop in New York near the old Metropolitan Opera House. His clientele naturally came from the neighboring theater: he repaired the stage shoes of performers, then began making them. According to the brand's history, he became the official shoemaker of the Metropolitan Opera in 1892.
The dates that made the brand
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1887 | Opening of the workshop near the Metropolitan Opera, New York |
| 1892 | Capezio becomes the official shoemaker of the Metropolitan Opera |
| 1910 | Anna Pavlova buys Capezio pointe shoes for herself and her company |
| 1923 | Capezio shoes are used in the Ziegfeld Follies on Broadway |
| 1940 | Death of Salvatore Capezio, Ben Sommers takes over |
| 1941 | Designer Claire McCardell incorporates Capezio models into a fashion collection |
| 1952 | Creation of the Capezio Dance Award |
| 1953 | Creation of the Capezio Foundation |
Anna Pavlova, the spotlight
During her first tour of the United States in 1910, Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova bought Capezio pointe shoes for herself and her entire company. The brand claims that a model named "The Pavlova" was later created in her honor. This association with one of the most famous dancers of her time did a great deal to build Capezio's reputation.
From the stage to fashion
In the 1940s, American designer Claire McCardell paired Capezio shoes with her collections. The dance shoe thus began to leave the studios and become a fashion shoe. Capezio graced the cover of Vogue in 1949, proving that the brand now also belonged to the world of fashion.
The Sommers family and support for dance
After the founder's death in 1940, Ben Sommers ran the company until his passing in 1985. During his tenure, the Capezio Dance Award, which recognizes figures in the dance world, and the Capezio Foundation, which supports non-profit organizations, were created. The company's current headquarters is in Totowa, New Jersey.
What Capezio offers today
Classical dance
Canvas or leather dance shoes, full-sole or split-sole demi-pointe shoes, and pointe shoes. The Daisy model (reference 205) is a pink leather dance shoe for beginners, with a full sole and a daisy-print lining. It is available in several widths. To compare the different dance shoes, our selection of classical dance shoes and demi-pointe shoes provides an overview of the available styles.
Tap shoes
Capezio makes tap shoes equipped with its Tele Tone plate system, mounted on the toe and heel. A tap shoe is chosen for its sound as much as for its comfort. To get started, check out our guide on how to choose tap shoes and our collection of tap shoes.
Jazz, contemporary, and lyrical
The brand offers jazz shoes, dance sneakers, and half-soles called FootUndeez. The latter cover only the forefoot and leave the toes and heel free: they protect the pivot area while maintaining a barefoot feel, and are designed for contemporary, lyrical, and modern dance.
Ballroom and Latin dance
Capezio also has a ballroom and Latin line for women, featuring satin sandals with flared heels of approximately 5 to 7.5 cm and suede soles. The brand states that several widths and heel heights are available depending on the model.
Strengths and points to consider
- Breadth of range: the same brand can equip a child in an introductory class, a jazz student, and a tap dancer.
- History: over 130 years of existence and a long-standing connection with ballet and Broadway.
- American sizes: the brand uses the United States sizing system, and each product family may have its own size chart. Do not rely on a generic conversion: measure the length of your foot in centimeters and refer to the chart for the specific model.
- Models vary greatly in construction depending on the range: compare the product details (material, sole type, width) rather than thinking in terms of brand.
Capezio compared to other brands
Capezio plays on versatility, while other manufacturers focus on a single discipline. In classical dance, it is often compared to Bloch, founded in Sydney in 1932, featured in our guide on the Bloch brand. In ballroom dance, German manufacturers such as Werner Kern or Diamant are more specialized. Our comparison of dance shoe brands places them side by side.
Dansezo does not sell the Capezio brand. Our "Dansezo Selection" offers an affordable alternative in European sizes, with free size advice by email at contact@dansezo.fr.
Frequently asked questions
Is Capezio an American or Italian brand?
Capezio is an American brand, founded in New York in 1887. Its founder, Salvatore Capezio, was an Italian-born shoemaker who settled in the United States. The company's headquarters is now located in Totowa, New Jersey.
How do I choose my size in Capezio?
Capezio uses American sizes, and each product family may have its own size chart. Measure the length of your foot in centimeters at the end of the day, and compare it to the chart for the chosen model rather than a general conversion.
Does Capezio make ballroom dance shoes?
Yes, the brand offers a ballroom and Latin line, including satin sandals with flared heels and suede soles. However, it is still best known for classical dance, jazz, and tap.
What are Capezio FootUndeez?
They are half-soles that cover only the forefoot, leaving the toes and heel free. They protect the skin during pivots while maintaining a barefoot feel, and are primarily used in contemporary and lyrical dance.