by Cassi Bryn Michalik
We know, they look suspiciously like those totally embellishment-free jazz shoes many of us used to sport in junior high, but Dior Homme's Hedi Slimane has brought about a cool revival of the old alabaster design, causing a unisex footwear frenzy all over the streets of Paris. While legendary French ballet-shoe-maker Repetto Paris turns out a slightly less pricey version—as does tried-and-true Capezio and, for fall, United Bamboo—Slimane's Dior Homme version of these white calf-skin lace-ups is our current favorite, especially with the contrasting black ties. Worn stark white, fresh out of the box or lovingly scuffed and tattered, it seems that with these dance-school classics on your feet, you're just one step closer to the '80s. Literally. Paired with a summer suit, denim, or a simple pair of black tights, this Spring/Summer purchase promises a refreshing switch from basic sandals or those ho-hum trainers.
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Clockwise, from top left: Dance shoes by Dior Homme, Capezio, United Bamboo, and Repetto.
Dior Homme is available at Dior Homme stores (www.diorhomme.com); Capezio is available at Capezio Dance Theater stores (www.capeziodance.com); United Bamboo is available at Opening Ceremony in New York (35 Howard Street, 212-219-2688) and at Satine in Los Angeles (8117 West 3rd Street, 323-655-2142, www.satineboutique.com); Repetto Paris is available at Repetto in Paris (22, Rue de la Paix, 75002 Paris, +33 1 44 71 83 20) and at Steven Alan in New York (103 Franklin Street, 212-343-0692, www.stevenalan.com/).
Capezio footwear has been around since the Statue of Liberty came to town, but leave it to Hedi Slimane to cause a frenzy in France with his new simple white "dance" shoes—for guys and girls.