Anna Kern is a line of dance shoes presented by the German manufacturer Werner Kern, based in Hanau, with the label "Designed in Italy". It is aimed mainly at Latin, salsa, and bachata dancers, with a bold style: nude or bronze satin, gold and silver leathers, brocade, with heels from 1 to 8 cm. Here is how the range is structured and how to choose a model, without confusing it with the main Werner Kern line.
Anna Kern, a line from the house of Werner Kern
You sometimes read that Anna Kern is an independent brand or a separate family business. In fact, Anna Kern shoes are featured in the catalog of the company Werner Kern Tanzschuhe GmbH, in Hanau, in a dedicated section titled "Anna Kern, Designed in Italy". Werner Kern is also a German manufacturer of dance shoes, whose production is indicated as "Made in Italy" in this same catalog.
The first name therefore does not refer to a second company: it is a collection name, with its own visual identity. If you are looking for the history and the full range of the manufacturer, our Werner Kern brand guide details it.
The Anna Kern style
The catalog presents Anna Kern as a feminine and modern collection, designed for salsa, bachata, and Latin dances. The manufacturer highlights a youthful design, shiny brocades, lots of gold and silver, and a slim heel, with leather uppers and linings.
Concretely, the range includes:
- strappy sandals in nude satin or bronze, the most discreet shades on the leg;
- models in gold, silver, or "antique" nappa leather, more visible on the dance floor;
- versions in black or beige suede, more understated;
- glitter finishes ("sparkle") and brocade and nappa combinations for evenings.
Each model has a first name (Adele, Desiree, Monique, Soleil...).
The range by heel height
Height is the first selection criterion. The manufacturer's catalog offers the Anna Kern line from 1 cm to 8 cm, with a large majority of 5 and 6 cm models.
| Height | What you find in the range | For whom |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3.5 cm | Very low models, some with split soles | Practical, long sessions, fragile feet |
| 5 cm | Wide choice of suede, nappa, and brocade sandals | Regular dancers, first evenings |
| 6 cm | The most represented height, all materials | Salsa and bachata, intermediate level |
| 7.5 to 8 cm | More arched models, including some with back zippers | Dancers comfortable in high heels |
The "back zip" models close with a zipper at the heel rather than a buckle, a detail that speeds up dressing. The split sole references ("split sole") facilitate toe points.
The SUNY sneaker
The line also includes a dance sneaker, the SUNY, offered for women and men. The manufacturer describes it in lightweight and breathable mesh, with a two-part PU sole and a flat heel, for training in salsa, bachata, kizomba, or rueda. It is a practice shoe, not an evening model.
Anna Kern or Werner Kern: what difference?
Both are found in the same catalog, but they are not aimed at the same use. The Werner Kern line covers all dances (standard, Latin, men, wedding, sneakers) with comfort and width options on certain models. Anna Kern focuses on the Latin and salsa dancer who wants a shinier look. The price differences vary by retailer: compare model by model rather than relying on a general rule. The detail is in our Werner Kern or Anna Kern comparison.
How to choose an Anna Kern model
- Start with your level. If you are starting with heels, a 5 cm height is easier to hold than a 7.5 or 8 cm.
- Look at the material. Satin and soft nappa are made for the foot; a brocade or a glitter upper is often less flexible at first.
- Check the sizing system. Dance shoe manufacturers often use English sizes: always convert from the length of your foot in centimeters.
- Try on at the end of the day, when the foot is slightly swollen, like at the end of a dance evening.
These models are found with specialized dance retailers and on the manufacturer's website. Preferably buy from a seller who clearly indicates the reference, the heel height, and the return conditions.
An affordable alternative: the Dansezo selection
The Dansezo models are a proprietary selection, not Anna Kern shoes. If you are looking for the same spirit (Latin satin sandals, shiny finishes), our selection offers models at more affordable prices, in European sizes. See our women's salsa shoes, our women's Latin dance shoes or, for evenings, our glitter dance shoes.
Delivery is free from €50 purchase in metropolitan France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, and Switzerland. Returns are possible within 30 days if the pair has not been worn outside, and an automatic 10% discount applies from 2 pairs of shoes. For the size, send the length of your foot to contact@dansezo.fr: the advice is free.
Frequently asked questions
Are Anna Kern and Werner Kern the same brand?
Anna Kern appears as a line in the Werner Kern Tanzschuhe GmbH catalog, in Hanau, with the label "Designed in Italy". It is therefore not a separate company but a collection with its own identity, oriented towards Latin and salsa. The two lines do not target exactly the same dancers.
What dances are Anna Kern shoes made for?
The manufacturer presents them mainly for salsa, bachata, and Latin dances. The SUNY sneaker from the same line is aimed at training in salsa, bachata, kizomba, and rueda. For standard ballroom dance, the main Werner Kern line offers more suitable models.
What heel heights does Anna Kern offer?
According to the manufacturer's catalog, the range goes from 1 cm to 8 cm, with many 5 and 6 cm models. The 7.5 and 8 cm heels are more arched and better suited to dancers already comfortable in high heels.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Anna Kern shoes?
Yes, several specialized boutiques offer Latin sandals in satin or glitter at more affordable prices. This is the case of the Dansezo selection, delivered free from €50 purchase in metropolitan France. Compare the heel height, the material, and the suede sole rather than the brand alone.