Capezio

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Capezio is a trademarked name used by a privately held United States company, Ballet Makers, Inc., which specializes in dance apparel and dance shoes, including ballet pointe shoes.

The company markets dance accessories worldwide, focusing mainly on the USA and Europe.

Contents

[edit] History

Ballet Makers, Inc., of Totowa, New Jersey, was founded in 1887 by Salvatore Capezio.

The head of Capezio from the 1950s through the 1980s was Ben Sommers, who "became like a son to [Salvatore] Capezio", though he was not a family member.[1] Sommers branched into high fashion, and the company eventually won the coveted Coty Award in 1952 for its contributions to the industry, including its mainstream ballet flats.[1][2]

However, after that time the company faced financial difficulties. In 1980, Alfred Terlizzi, grandnephew of founder Salvatore Capezio, said in Dance magazine that "in 1966, the company was broke; Capezio, the whole corporate structure."[1] At that time, Sommers made the decision to sell the Capezio name to the U.S. Shoe Corporation. Ballet Makers, Inc., the company created in the wake of the sale of the Capezio name, currently licenses the use of this name on its dance products. [3]

[edit] Salvatore Capezio

Salvatore Capezio was born on April 13, 1871, in Muro Lucano, Italy. In 1887, he opened his shop near the old Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. The sign above his door read "The Theatrical & Historical Shoemaker".

He began his business by repairing theatrical shoes for the Met. On the day he created an emergency pair of shoes for Jean de Reszke, Salvatore quickly made the transition from cobbler to shoemaker. He discovered dance shoes - pointe shoes in particular - to be a challenging balance between delicate construction and complex engineering.

Soon, the shop became a meeting place for dancers who would stop by to discuss their needs and pick up a pair of his shoes. One dancer in particular, Angelina Passone, a graduate of La Scala, lingered over the discussion of her shoes and later became his wife.

As his popularity grew, dancers from around the world made it a point to visit. In fact, Anna Pavlova purchased Capezio pointe shoes for herself and her entire company during her first tour of the United States in 1910. Her generous praise of his work ensured Salvatore's success.

Eventually, he entrusted his superior shoe-making techniques to his family. They joined him in the business, and Capezio's exceptional reputation continues to spread.

[edit] Recent history

By the 1930s Capezio products were dancing across Broadway in the Ziegfeld Follies and in dozens of other musicals. In 1941, Claire McCardell showed the Capezio long-sole ballet shoe with her fashion collection.

At this point, Lord & Taylor, Neiman Marcus and other major stores started selling Capezio footwear. And in 1952, Capezio received the Coty Award, fashion's highest accolade.

An eye for innovative products and the camaraderie he shared with dancers were the key to the company's success. In this spirit, the Capezio Dance Award was established in 1952. It was created to honor those who make a long standing, significant contribution to dance in America. The Capezio Ballet Makers Dance Foundation was established in 1953 to promote and recognize on-going achievements in dance.

[edit] Capezio today

Capezio's recognition, however, extends well beyond awards. Plenty of the world's greatest performers have recognized Capezio as the only way to dance - Anna Pavlova, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Sammy Davis, Jr., Charles "Honi" Coles, Alicia Alonso, Bob Fosse, Mick Jager, Liza Minnelli, Gregory Hines, Tommy Tone, Ann Reinking, Debbie Allen, Ben Vereen, Charo, Merrill Ashley, Ashley Tuttle, Rob Marshall, Fatima, Savion Glover, Brian Friedman, Madonna, Will Ferrell, Nicole Kidman and Gwen Stefani.

Although the business is radically different today, third and fourth generation family members resolutely continue Salvatore's legacy of craft, innovation and commitment.

In the midst of computerization and robotics, Capezio Special Make-Up Department is still hand crafting footwear for an eclectic mix of performances. Capezio products have been featured in film and television productions such as MTV Made, Center Stage, The Company, Chicago, The Cotton Club, A Chorus Line, Cabaret and All That Jazz. Maddy Gladman Sales and marketing manger does a lot towards the company e.t.c Maddy Gladman also promotes moveit stands. Capezio's customer base also includes ice skaters. This growing market led directly to the creation of Capezio Skatewear in 1998 and the selection of Olympic gold medalists Tara Lipinski, Sarah Hughes and Michael Weiss as Capezio's spokespersons.

That same year, Capezio Dancesport was created to outfit the growing population of ballroom dancers. Capezio's dedication to providing dancers with technologically advanced, quality tools for their art continues to inspire innovations like the Dansneaker, the Dansleeker, the split-sole and the stretch-insert.

Capezio Professional Outfitters works with Broadway designers to create custom made theatrical and dance shoes.

"Special Make-up Theatrical Shoes. In the grand tradition of our founder, Salvatore Capezio, we continue to create hand-crafted historical and theatrical shoes for an eclectic mix of performers. We have graced the feet of countless casts, including those of Broadway's: The Color Purple, The Lion King, 42nd Street, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia, Chicago, Movin' Out, The Producers, My Fair Lady and many, many more. Capezio footwear is worn by the Radio City Rockettes and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus - even Disney.

Countless production companies have relied on Capezio/Ballet Makers Inc's quality, service dependability to ensure their success. We are proud to lead the industry in Special Make-Up (SMU) theatrical shoes. Special Make-Up shoes are designed and crafted precisely to the customer's specifications. All of our in-stock shoes can be altered to meet custom requirements. We also offer to copy a sample shoe or illustration the customer provides."

"Special make-up pointe shoes. A Special Make-Up (SMU) is a shoe that is precisely made to conform to the dancer's anatomy and performance style. It is the ultimate achievement in the art of crafting pointe shoes. The SMU is truly an extenstion of the dancer's body and his or her artistic expression. Capezio cobblers have been supplying the world's greatest dancers with custom made shoes since 1887. We are proud to make SMU pointe shoes for the leading ballerinas worldwide. Our shoes can be altered and dancers may request modifications to virtually every part of the shoe. Developing an SMU may take several fittings, and the dancer assumes financial responsibility for the process. Capezio recommends first experimenting with an in-stock shoe. Capezio shoes are handcrafted and natural variations are expected. While Capezio/Ballet Makers, Inc makes every attempt to fulfill each dancer's request, slight variations of up to 1/8" may result and are considered accurate."

Capezio Professional Outfitters is located at the Capezio Flagship Store at 1650 Broadway, 2nd Floor, New York City.

Capezio's Professional shoe line seen in professional productions:

  • Elan Pointe Shoe
  • Sylphide Pointe Shoe
  • Odette Pointe Shoe
  • Prelude Pointe Shoe
  • Glisse Pointe Shoe

All shoes can be made in any custom color.

[edit] Important dates

  • Anna Pavlova purchased Capezio pointe shoes for herself and her principal company members during her first concert tour of the United States in 1910.
  • In 1949 Capezio was featured on a cover of Vogue.
  • Capezio received the Coty Award, fashion's highest accolade, in 1952.

[edit] Capezio Dance Award Honorees

[edit] Famous supporters of Capezio

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Capezio/Ballet Makers, Inc.
  2. ^ Capezio Company History
  3. ^ FTC.gov, Nine West Group, Inc.

[edit] External links

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