BUILT LIKE A WORKHORSE, MADE FOR A SHOWPONY
I started dancing in 8" heels in 2009, and over the years, I found myself buying the same pair over and over again. Not because it was my favorite style, but because it was one of the few that actually felt designed for dancing.
The more unique styles often came with compromises: materials that stretched over time, uppers that couldn't keep your foot secure, hardware that got in the way of climbing, or grip features that made floorwork more difficult. Meanwhile, the shoes that danced beautifully rarely offered anything new in terms of style.
I wanted both. So every SHOW PONY style starts with one question: How can this style make dancing feel more effortless? From there, every material, silhouette, and detail is chosen to support how we dance.
My goal has never been to recreate the classics, but to create the shoes I'd always wished existed: unique styles that are built like a workhorse, but made for a showpony.
our story
AKA the grueling part. These shoes are very complicated, expensive, and require specialized personnel & equipment to make. But after a year of searching, we finally found an AMAZING factory who was properly equipped & up for the challenge!
We spent the next few years prototyping various styles, ironing out the kinks, and getting the perfect fit! Winning styles went on to be tested for durability. We meticulously refined the ergonomic footbed for maximum comfort & support. (We seriously can't wait for you to try our plush & springy footbed!)
Our first (released) style was designed to improve the classic clear-upper sandal by maintaining that feeling of stability, but with reinforcement straps which keep the vamp from ripping or overstretching after months of dancing. We switched out PVC for TPU, for its greater tear-strength, and resistance to discoloration & hardening over time.
We decided to develop our own platform molds instead of using the same molds everyone else was using, so that we could have full control over the shape & construction. We honed in on a lightweight platform that not only supports dancers’ pointe with a comfortable slope, but also serves as the shoes' foundation of durability. Our shoes were born!
We custom make many of our materials, which allows precise control over the strength, thickness, color, and effects. Finding the perfect materials for the other elements was a challenge, but after months of searching, we found them!