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Feminine, elegant and unique. Ballet flats are the favorite women shoe style both now and always. For the first time, their classical shape appeared in the beginning of the 19th century, but such a style was worn much earlier.
The Renaissance era of the 16th century – it was the time, when ballet shoes were in fashion and were worn at court by both women and men. Their appearance was slightly different to the canon we are used to: they were of a prolonged form, and the more high-born was the nobleman who wore them, the longer toes had his shoes. In 1533, Ekaterina Medici, the future queen of France, ordered her shoemaker to prepare heeled shoes for her wedding ceremony in order to look higher and more magnificent. From this very time, all noble people began to wear heeled shoes.
The French revolution changed everything. In the beginning of 1800s, shoes underwent some innovations as well.

In days past, heels were considered to be the sign of aristocracy; therefore, heels were removed from shoes, which became much simpler, without any bows and ruffles.
The modern shape of ballet flats was invented by Italian shoemaker with American citizenship Salvatore Capezio.

He refused round-the-ankle straps and slightly changed the shoe shape, which made it simpler and more comfortable.
Going forward, in 1930, Jacob Bloch – Russian-born shoemaker, who immigrated to Australia – makes such shoes for famous ballerinas by hand. These shoes were called pointe-shoes.

Gradually, shoes by Bloch gained extreme popularity and his company up to now has been producing a series of comfortable dancing shoes and clothes under the same-name trademark Bloch.
And finally, in 1947, Rose Repetto – mother of the famous choreographer and dancer Roland Petit – following her son’s request added several alterations to pointe-shoes, which made them more comfortable. This new model of pointe-shoes turned to be extremely successful, and Rose Repetto opened a small manufactory next to Grand Opera in Paris.
In 1949, ballet flats appeared in popular Vogue magazine, which attracted attention and curiosity of vast female audience.

And in year 1950 began the ballet flats boom. They gained international popularity thanks to cinema divas Brigitte Bardot and Audrey Hepburn.
Brigitte stars in “Et Dieu crea la femme” movie, wearing red ballet flats by Repetto.

And everyone was excited when French sex symbol paraded along the red carpet of The Cannes Film Festival, wearing elegant ballet flats.
And the famous Italian designer Ferragamo created a model of ballet flats that attracted attention thanks to such movies, as “Roman Holyday” and “Cinderella in Paris”.

The wife of American President Jaquelin Kennedy also asks her designer to make a personal model of ballet flats for her. Since then, this shoe type has never ceased to be popular.

Trends 2017
Ballet flats of numerous shapes have been seen during haute couture fashion shows of a new season 2017. These attractive and comfortable shoes match any style of clothes. Women feel much more comfortable when wearing these casual shoes during a long working day or while having a lasting walk through the city; therefore, it’s just impossible to refuse them.
Among all the exclusive models, which have been presented by the fashion houses, one couldn’t help but pay attention to the refined ballet flats with rounded toes by Chanel, made in the classical two-color combination that has become the signature of this brand.

Giorgio Armani and Michael Kors have showcased elegant ballet flats with pointed toes;

ballet flats by Brunello Cucinelli and Christian Dior are complemented by a delicate round-the-ankle strap;

ballet flats by the famous fashion house Gucci are notable for rounded toes and Mary Jane-style strap;

designers Barbara Casasola and Valentino have presented classical ballet flats in the 19th century style, resembling ballet pointe-shoes or gym shoes for rhythmic-sportive gymnastics.

Advantage of ballet flats is in their multipurposeness and functionality in combination with various types of clothes. La parisienne style ideally matches both comfortable casual clothes and an elegant suit. Ballet flats are the perfect complement to the romantic style. They suit the office dress-code and one can’t help but wear them in leisure hours as well. Formal and informal, classical and trendy at the same time – this shoe type is a really unique one.