While the biggest names in dancewear always command the largest trade-show booths, some of the most exciting innovations come from smaller brands. Founded by dancers and dance parents, these three labels caught our attention at February’s Danzainfiera in Florence, Italy, for bringing fresh, game-changing ideas to the dance retail world.
Imperfect Pointes
Founded by former sportswear professional and dance mum Helen Banks in 2020 to create more sustainable dancewear for her daughter, UK-based brand Imperfect Pointes made its Danzainfiera debut this year, unveiling a range of new product developments. Having recently brought all stages of production in-house, the brand used the opportunity to update its celebrated convertible tights, made from recycled nylon fiber. The tights now feature no gusset—perfect for the trend of wearing them over leotards—and are thinner and lighter while still maintaining the appearance of a 50-denier finish.
Beyond hosiery, Imperfect Pointes showcased the We Got Boobs leotard. Featuring a built-in bra shelf, it addresses the stigma around discussing breast support in ballet while providing practical functionality. The brand demonstrated the shelf’s effectiveness with a “jump test” on Instagram.
Looking ahead, Imperfect Pointes is exploring a collaboration with researchers at the Henry Royce Institute and the University of Manchester on ways to recycle tights into dance-relevant products, such as yoga blocks. (Currently, Imperfect Pointes repurposes returned tights of any brand into furniture or industrial items.) The brand’s appetite for sustainable innovation appears to be endless.
Apliéplus
Swiss dance accessory brand Apliéplus is the result of a literal and metaphorical marriage. It was initiated by industrial chemist Georg Astl for his wife, Elena, a dancer who was dealing with severe forefoot pain while dancing.
After conducting his first lab research in 2019, he developed a range of silicone toe pads to enable more comfortable, pain-free pointe work. Following a careful test period, the products were launched in 2024 and introduced internationally at this year’s Danzainfiera.
Called “dancelets” by Astl, the pads are made from biomedical materials—similar to those often used for body implants—and are designed to be both flexible and durable, with varying levels of elasticity and support to suit dancers’ individual needs.
The brand currently offers several variations in pretty pastel shades, including ultra-soft and medium-soft models. The former—its best seller—is particularly suited to dancers with irregular toes, while the latter is popular with more experienced dancers because it still allows for floor responsiveness, appealing to those who want to feel closely connected to the ground. Both options are available with or without additional cushioning. This year, Apliéplus also introduced a “Max Soft” model designed for maximum comfort and shock absorption.
Apliéplus doesn’t cater only to the ballet world. The brand has also developed kneepads designed to protect the tibia, patella, and inner knee—areas particularly vulnerable for contemporary dancers during floor work. Unlike the single-piece pads commonly used in sports, the Apliéplus design features three separate inserts, allowing for greater articulation and freedom of movement. The streamlined fit keeps the kneepads securely in place while remaining discreet enough to hide under costuming, without adding bulk or distorting the line of the body.
Balance by Cherevychko
Dancewear for women often takes center stage. Yet Denys Cherevychko, once a first soloist with the Vienna State Opera and now a freelance guest principal, has made it his mission to expand the options available for male dancers. To do so, he launched his dancewear brand Balance by Cherevychko, teaming up with fashion professionals to develop leggings, tights, and tops that sculpt and support without compressing the male body. The pieces prioritize quality and comfort, and are engineered to absorb heat and sweat, eliminate wrinkles, and minimize distractions while dancing. Silicone strips inside the garments, for example, help keep them from riding up.
Cherevychko appears to have struck a chord: After only a year and a half in operation, Balance has already become the official male-dancewear partner of the Cuban National Ballet. A testimonial on the brand’s website from Paul Marque, an étoile of the Paris Opéra Ballet, also reads: “These are the best tights I’ve ever worn. It’s like I’m wearing nothing.” Perhaps Balance will inspire a new wave of innovation in men’s dancewear?
Emily May is the editor of Dance Retailer News.