Body Wrappers TotalStretch Canvas Low Profile Dance/Jazz Shoes
Product Type: Ballet Flats / Jazz Shoes / Hybrid
Brand: Body Wrappers/Angelo Luzio
Style Name: “Billy”
Style Number(s): 402A
MSRP: $39.00*
Colors Available: Black, Jazzy Tan
Sizes Available:
Adult 4-11.5 Medium (including half sizes)
Manufacturer Description:
STYLE: 402A
totalStretch® Canvas
• comfortable machine washable
• antimicrobial control stretch moisture wicking
• one-seam arch construction
• arched anatomical last hugs the foot in pointe
• hugging anatomically fit heel
• ”spin-ready” suede sole
• high no-pressure toe area
Manufacturer Website: http://bodywrappers.com/details.php?id=1523
Kat’s Thoughts:
This shoe has since been moved to closeout/discontinue status since I wrote this review – however I’ve seen an uptick in traffic on my other blog where I first wrote this – looking for information on this shoe. I have copied and pasted the review from there. My original review was written and published on Nov 8, 2013.
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So this is a totally different shoe than what we’ve seen yet. Yes–at first glance, it’s a ballet shoe with a heel. BUT that’s where it ends.
This unique shoe was designed and inspired by amazingly talented Billy Bell (Artistic Director of the Lunge Dance Collective). Seriously–that man has more talent in his pinky than I do in my whole arm! Anyways–enough about that… let’s talk about his shoe.
The Billy was specifically designed by Luigi Luzio for contemporary and jazz dancers. At first glance, the most identifiable unqiue trait is that there is only one seam on the shoe–and it’s ON THE BOTTOM! (*collective gasp!*). What does this mean? No side seam to interrupt the line of the foot and with low sides and a high heel–your feet will be shown off to their best! That single seam also hugs your arch like a dream! Even feet with no arches have arches in this shoe! *happy sigh*
The next question that probably pops into your head is “wait–low cut sides… how does the shoe stay ON?!”. Easy–the low cut sides are paired with a beautifully sculpted high heel back and an elasticized casing around the foot. The shoe also features a slightly longer vamp (but not absurdly long) to help protect the toes during slides, drags, turns, and floor work. Proportionally, the vamp is beautifully matched to the low sides and the higher heel back. The vamp is also cut so that minimal pressure is put on the metatarsals from the shoe.
This shoe is built specifically to a right and left foot so that you get a perfect and appropriate fit for each food. Luigi even hand-sculpted the lasts that these shoes were built on! Talk about attention to detail!!
Let’s talk about the bottom of the shoe quick–the suede sole means that this shoe comes “spin-ready” and is perfect for turning, sliding, and spinning. There is also a padded rubber heel to help cushion those sometimes painful (and loud) landings. Finally–this shoe has a tapered suede insole that helps to keep feet free from the friction caused by your feet sliding within the shoe.
So it’s also machine washable (hey! no more stinky shoes!!!), and the canvas has antimicrobial and moisture wicking properties. This shoe comes in black and jazzy tan (matches the jazzy tan tights) and comes in adult sizes only from 4 to 11.5.
Body Wrappers did two YouTube videos of this shoe. You can see Billy talking about it here and actually dancing in it (and putting it through it’s paces) here.
Sizing Info: If memory serves – men fit same as street. Ladies 1.5-2 sizes down (like their 246 and 247 shoes). But I don’t remember exactly – so there may be some play here.
Material/Content: TotalStretch Canvas
Intro Date: I think it was around 2012/2013…
Discontinue Date: ~2017/2018
*A note about prices – while the MSRP is listed – it is just that. Please remember that your local dance store also has to cover shipping costs, lights, rent, other utilities, and oh yeah – HUMANS! When you go into a local dance store – please realize that you are possibly paying a premium for their expertise, knowledge, and having (most) products there on hand. That’s not cheap. Please don’t go “window shopping” there only to save a few bucks. Especially on products under $100, it’s really not worth it. Support your local store. Please. When you do, you validate why we have physical stores and why we, as store owners, dedicate ourselves to providing you with products and knowledge we can stand behind.
The Dance Stuff Diva 