This February, 75 international brands and 500 buyers from more than 50 countries packed Danzainfiera 2026, the Florence-based trade show marking 20 years at the heart of the European dancewear industry. DRN was on the show floor to report on the season’s top trends and releases. Here’s what we discovered.
Returning to Retail Roots
Several brands at Danzainfiera 2026 emphasized a return to their core products and values. Capezio, for example, told DRN that the company would have a strong focus on ballet this year, reflecting its roots as the brand that produced the first pointe shoes for Anna Pavlova in 1910. The Angelina pointe shoe, so far released in Europe and Brazil, is named after company founder Salvatore Capezio’s wife—also a ballerina—and is a nod to the brand’s heritage. There’s a strong possibility of more nostalgic releases next year, too, aligning with Capezio’s 140th anniversary.
Gaynor Minden also outlined a pointe shoe launch: two new models, scheduled for release this summer in time for back-to-dance season. Both are designed to be closer in fit and feel to the brand’s original productions. The first, Renaissance, takes its name from the Italian period renowned for innovations in art and science, reflecting Gaynor Minden’s commitment to blending ballet tradition with modern materials and approaches. Made from what the brand’s calling “legacy satin” to allow greater freedom of movement, the Renaissance shoe features a sculpted, hourglass last that hugs the midfoot. While this caters to tapered, narrow feet, the second model, Primavera, uses a classic last for dancers seeking a wider fit.
A Plethora of Pointe Shoes
Capezio and Gaynor Minden weren’t the only brands to announce pointe shoe launches at Danzainfiera. Nikolay (known as Grishko in Europe) unveiled the arrival of the Assoluta pointe shoe. Originally scheduled for release last year, the launch was delayed to allow for further testing.
Aiming to dispel the myth that Nikolay shoes are excessively hard, the original Assoluta design featured only soft and medium shanks, all made from traditional leather board rather than polymers. Now, in response to feedback, the re-release includes harder shank options. According to the brand, the Assoluta bears a strong resemblance to its StreamPointe shoes. Built on the same last, it retains the same overall shape, but with a sleeker, more refined fit.
Bloch also shared information about an extensive amount of new shoe models. Its split-soled Eurostretch Arch Enhanced pointe shoe is crafted from stretch satin designed to create a second-skin feel, while the new Bspoke model draws on the most common preferences the brand has observed in its custom orders. The Euro Demi, meanwhile, is designed to mimic the fit and feel of a traditional pointe shoe, without the rigidity of hard paste. This makes it an effective training tool for developing strength, control, and alignment before progressing to full pointe work.
For dancers even earlier in their pre-pointe journeys, Bloch is introducing the Arch Angel, a leather ballet flat designed to support the development of the strength, alignment, and control required. The adult version offers firmer inner-arch support, while the children’s model features a lighter construction to encourage technique development without forcing. Another key feature is Bloch’s patented three-quarter outsole, designed to make achieving demi-relevé easier.
Pretty in Purple
Lilac and lavender appeared to be the shades of the moment at Danzainfiera. From Capezio’s lavender warm-up booties to dance-sneaker brand Fuego’s lavender low-tops, pastel purple is emerging as a color trend retailers may want to watch closely.
Beyond Ballroom
There was a notable increase in the representation of the ballroom dance category at this year’s trade show. Many of the exhibitors were, of course, shoe brands—several of which are exploring ways to expand beyond traditional footwear for ballroom and Latin dancers. Germany’s Diamant and Werner Kern, for example, have both launched their first-ever ranges of dance sneakers.
UK-based International Dance Shoes—famed for supplying the TV show “Strictly Come Dancing”—has taken a different approach with the new Teatro Collection. Aimed at musical theater students as well as West End and Broadway professionals, the shoes are crafted from luxury Italian leather and have already received a stamp of approval from West End productions, including The Devil Wears Prada.
Emily May is the editor of Dance Retailer News.