Thread: The first ever high heel dance shoes designed for Belly Dancers!?

Capezio Brazil in partnership with Brazilian dancer Esmeralda (i don't know much about her but it says on her website that she worked in the Middle East many years as a dancer) created the first high heel Dance shoes designed for belly dancers.
Has anyone seeing this?
I don't wear high heels but thought the shoes looked very good!!!

Here is a link, it's in portuguese but I will be happy to answer any questions related to what the page says.
It says that the shoe has thick heel for balance, elastic on the strap and same sole as running shoes for easy turns and back bends (Turkish drops)

Very interesting and I am thinking in ordering one via Capezio Brazil to see how it feels. Very curious :-)
I am very happy Capezio would create something like this.

:: DancEsmeralda - Produtos ::

if you do order them, I'll be very interested to know what they are like!

me too

never danced in heels before, but always like to see people do it

I don't wear high heels, when I have to wear shoes I wear sandals with short 1 inch heels.
But this is great news, I'd love to see a review of it if you get your hands on a pair.

Originally Posted by vivi

....for easy turns and back bends (Turkish drops)

I'd be monumentally impressed to see someone do a Drop in heels! Very. Impressed.

can be done... you just gotta make sure to not stab yourself in the back...

ask me how I know

I have to check this out. Anyone order them yet? Reviews?

Originally Posted by Basha

can be done... you just gotta make sure to not stab yourself in the back...

ask me how I know

How do you know?

That would be the least of my concerns if I tried the Drop - in heels or not! I'm quite sure there'd be a LOT of blood!

Still, my respect ma'am, my respect!

I hope somebody buys them and tells us more, because I am confused as to how a running shoe sole allows for turns.

It's a pity there aren't more pictures, especially of the colors gold and beige - and of somebody actually wearing them!
What good is it if I see her holding only the black shoes (which I would not wear to perform) in her hands...
I am always amazed that people don't realize that I want to SEE what I am buying!

But yes, let us know how they are.

MEISSOUN

Interesting. I'm a ballroom dancer, and I find suede soled shoes best for turns and other dancing. Flexible for great movement, enough slip for turns, but enough grip for footwork. The heel thickness is for balance in my opinion. All good ballroom shoes have a steel shank that supports the wearer.

But perhaps I'm biased. I'd be interested to see them. Too bad I can't read it or see other pics... and how much are they?

I'm NOT a ballroom dancer, though I do dance tango, and I agree. Sueded sole, metal shank... why would I want those clunky things when the entire world of ballroom shoes is available to me, and so much more attractive paired with a bellydance costume?

Ok guys,
let's get to the root of the information before we start to make assumptions or judging the shoes, please?
I watched an interview with Esmeralda, where she explains the shoes better. They are very well built from her description. I made a mistake when I wrote that the shoe sole was made out of running shoes material,it actually IS, not the bottom of the shoes, but the material inside is, so the sole is extremely flexible. You can watch it on the video.

The heel is hollow so the shoes are very, very light weight.
The straps are stretchy and there is a little fabric in the front of the shoe to protect your feet from sliding to the front of the shoe or even out of it. That happens to me a lot when wearing ballroom dance shoes (sandals)

You can see more pics on the link bellow
I think they are chunky but look very good on the video of her dancing. We are not ballroom dancers so we do need our own shoes!
Amar el Binnaz: Dancesmeralda: A pessoa, o projeto, o sapato!

Now this I like better!



MEISSOUN

I don't understand why bellydancers' shoe needs would be different from those of ballroom dancers. Could you please explain what you mean a bit more, Vivi, when you say we need our own shoes? I'm not arguing, just curious, and always looking for shoes that will be kind to my finicky feet.

Originally Posted by vivi

I think they are chunky but look very good on the video of her dancing. We are not ballroom dancers so we do need our own shoes!
Amar el Binnaz: Dancesmeralda: A pessoa, o projeto, o sapato!

Originally Posted by Suzana

I don't understand why bellydancers' shoe needs would be different from those of ballroom dancers. Could you please explain what you mean a bit more, Vivi, when you say we need our own shoes? I'm not arguing, just curious, and always looking for shoes that will be kind to my finicky feet.

agreed- why do we need our own shoe???

Originally Posted by vivi

The heel is hollow so the shoes are very, very light weight.
The straps are stretchy and there is a little fabric in the front of the shoe to protect your feet from sliding to the front of the shoe or even out of it. That happens to me a lot when wearing ballroom dance shoes (sandals)

The sliding happens to me a lot when I'm wearing ballroom sandals, too. I'd love to give these "belly dance heels" a try and see how they feel. It all sounds wonderful in concept, but I have very, very picky, problematic feet. Are they for sale yet? Is there anywhere in São Paulo where I could find them to take a look?

BTW thanks for introducing me to a wonderful dancer, I loved her performance video. I'm also glad to have been introduced to that blog, the author has some wonderful insights in writing and other great interviews on youtube (too bad about the background noise though, I wish they would speak more loudly in relation to the music that's playing).

Originally Posted by meissoun

Now this I like better!



MEISSOUN

are these the shoes? am confused now...

The SLIDING through issue....

It's all a matter of style. Everyone's feet are different, and where one style my toes escape out the side, someone else's don't. And a shoe that's good for me because my feet are wide, someone's narrow feet will slide too far forward, or a shoe good for one person, I won't even be able to get my foot in... the ones in the pic above... NEVER would fit my foot. There are TONS of styles of ballroom shoes for various feet, you just have to know what YOU need from a shoe.

I understand that the heel on these are hollow. That's fine for weight of the shoe,(of course I don't think ballroom shoes weigh very much) but it doesn't seem very stable to me and for my needs, and certainly not if one ever needs to put faith in their heel. But if you are ALWAYS going to keep the weight to the front of the foot, then.....

I'm curious... what needs does a bellydancer have that a ballroom dancer doesn't?

Anyway, I'm not saying they aren't good shoes for some people, or that they don't have a place in the market or some people's closets... they may be just what she and some others need, but it's just not for me.

Originally Posted by salsabelly

I understand that the heel on these are hollow. That's fine for weight of the shoe,(of course I don't think ballroom shoes weigh very much) but it doesn't seem very stable to me and for my needs, and certainly not if one ever needs to put faith in their heel. But if you are ALWAYS going to keep the weight to the front of the foot, then.....

Why do you think it would be less stable? Last I heard hollow shapes were stronger then solid ones or is there something else you are referring to?

Originally Posted by Ariadne_Eleni

Why do you think it would be less stable? Last I heard hollow shapes were stronger then solid ones or is there something else you are referring to?

I'm not saying for simple standing, but when putting weight on the edges of the heel, like when you walk, you roll from the back of the shoe to the front... I don't know what the heel is made of - I don't speak the language, so..

BUT I think really, it's less about the actual heel, and more about how it's connected to the sole of the shoe that would concern me. The steel shank in the ballroom shoe goes from the heel into the shoe, so even standing on the back of the heels, they will hold one's weight, unlike a regular fashion heel. (If they don't, they are defective and should be sent back)

Ah, so it's the structure that concerns you. Got it. Thanks. :)

Originally Posted by Ariadne_Eleni

Why do you think it would be less stable? Last I heard hollow shapes were stronger then solid ones or is there something else you are referring to?

umm... I'd love to see where you saw that because all the buidlings we build- all reinforced steel and masonry- is grouted or filled with concrete and mechanically consolidated to keep all air voids out.

I do realize steel columns are hollow- but I think the hollow/solid has much more to do with the construction material rather than the structure itself.

Originally Posted by Basha

umm... I'd love to see where you saw that

I was taught that in public school years ago.

But you are right, I went and looked it up and the same shape that is hollow will have 90% of the strength of the same sized solid shape with significantly reduced weight. So it's a trade off.

You made me curious though so I looked up why they avoid air voids in construction and the reason I found wasn't the structural strength but creating fire barriers and the issue of "impact penetration".

My statement about "we deserve our own shoes" comes from the simple fact that I find it neat to have Belly Dance shoes other than Hermes sandals in the Market. As I mentioned before I never wore shoes to dance and this idea seamed great. I don't know why some people have to make such a hype about the issue.
Those are simply dancing shoes made by belly dancers for belly dancers. Some people will wear it some won't. Period. I was just sharing the information. If I get a hold of a pair of those shoes I will absolutely give it a try and will let you all know :-)

Maybe is time to call Esmeralda to write here :-)

Ballet dancers have their own shoes, ballroom dancers have theirs, jazz dancers have theirs, so the idea of shoes made specific for belly dancers is very refreshing to me. That's all.

I like the look of the gold/silver and the nude. It looks like they'd be about $75 isn't a bad price for those if they are durable and functional. I may have to point them out to my SO before xmas this year.

Originally Posted by zorba

I'd be monumentally impressed to see someone do a Drop in heels! Very. Impressed.

Drop in heels? Here 'tis (at 6:44)

The heels are very beautiful. Personally I love wearing high heels very much. Dancing footwear are a major component of dance. They also ensure the safety of the feet and above all they make dancing a fun thing to do. so that it is necessary to be careful while choosing high heels shoes.

Is there any information in English? I tried to use the American flag link on the website but it's broken...