Famous French brands: Repetto
With the recent resurgence in popularity of that early 2000s staple, the ballet flat, what better time to spotlight the iconic French company that does it best: Repetto. In ballet and fashion, few names hold as much prestige as Repetto – known for its craftsmanship, enduring style and star-studded following.
La marque* was founded in 1947 when Rose Repetto set out to create the perfect ballet shoe for her son, celebrated dancer Roland Petit. Her handmade shoes quickly gained a reputation for their comfort and quality, achieved with a unique “stitch and return” technique that ensures flexibilité* and an unparalleled fit.
Repetto shoes soon shod les pieds* of other renowned dancers, including Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov, with the brand providing ballet shoes for the Opéra National de Paris to this day. However, it wasn’t until a fortuitous pairing that the brand’s reputation truly took off.
In 1956, an ascendant star, Brigitte Bardot, commissioned a pair of ballet flats, the "Cendrillon," for her film And God Created Woman. The shoes became an instant success – and a style signature of B.B.
In the early 2000s, Repetto ballet flats were the footwear du jour, popularised by celebrities like Kate Moss and Amy Winehouse wearing them on repeat. And while Carrie Bradshaw would never be seen without her towering heels, Sarah Jessica Parker regularly embraced Repetto flats as a chic and comfortable alternative off the screen.
Other admirateurs* over the years have included French singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg, who loved the Zizi style designed for dancer Zizi Jeanmaire, and Karl Lagerfeld, who often sent models down the runway in Repetto.
Today, the company produces various footwear styles, ready-to-wear clothing and accessories. However, it’s Rose's chic and comfortable ballet shoes that have earned Repetto an enduring iconic status.
Learn more of l’histoire de Repetto* here.
*The brand | *flexibility | *the feet |*fans | *the story of Repetto