The Repetto Ballet Shoes The Repetto Ballet Shoes The ballet shoe that put world fashion to its feet
The Repetto brand is a success story "à la française". Since its creation, this family business has become an international company. The famous ballet shoe benefits from a prestigious aura everywhere in the world that goes beyond the dance sector.
Rise and fall of a family business
The origin of the ballet shoe comes from Rose Repetto: mother of the dance genius Roland Petit, she created in 1947 a revolutionary ballet shoe to protect the delicate feet of her son.
The brand widens its range: praised by stars such as Brigitte Bardot or Serge Gainsbourg, the brand became the supplier of celebrities from all around the world. But the brand quickly declines after the death of the founder in the 80's.
From ballet shoe to world luxury brand
The arrival of the self-made man Jean-Marc Gaucher in 1999 puts Repetto back on the front scene. The goal of this aficionado of running is to change the ballet shoe in a luxury brand of worldly ambitions.
He immediately offers a partnership to Japanese stylist Issey Miyake. Repetto will then attain a double objective: beyond the restrictive world of classical ballet, the brand wins credibility in the fashion industry. Most of all, the brand conquers the Asian market.
As a result, the most fashionable Hollywood celebrities and supermodels adopt Repetto and the brand comes back under the spotlights.
A French success story
Despite this success, the small company that became a multinational has not forgotten its origins. The famous ballet shoe is still manufactured in the village of Saint-Médard-d'Excideuil (Périgord region) by relying on a decades-long know-how: the ballet shoes are manufactured with the "sewn-back" technique, developed by Rose Repetto. The soles are sewn backwards and then turned back.
Today, Repetto has 60 retail shops in the world. The brand has launched its first collection of ready-made clothes and its own perfume. The insane bet of Jean-Marc Gaucher seems to be won: on its tiptoes, Repetto keeps walking around the world.