A family business passionate about perfecting every step
Hand-Crafting Dance Shoes Since 1960
Supadance International Ltd is a British manufacturer of ballroom and Latin American dance shoes — trusted by world champions, rising stars, and iconic performers for over 60 years.
From a Small East End Workshop
Founded in 1960 by Michael 'Mick' Free in Hackney, East London, Supadance began as the Supa Shoe Repair Service. Mick, a humble shoemaker with an exceptional eye for quality, was approached by local dancers who asked if he could modify their shoes for the dance floor.
After consulting with leading Latin and Ballroom champions, Mick refined the design — selecting satin for its elegance under competition lighting, pairing it with a suede sole for controlled movement and a slim heel positioned centrally beneath the dancer's centre of balance. From those first custom pairs, a legacy was born.
His son, Barry Free, joined him at age 15, later training at London's prestigious Cordwainers College. Together, they built Supadance into a specialist manufacturer creating shoes that offer the perfect balance of performance, comfort, and elegance.
Available Worldwide
Trusted by dancers worldwide, with over 100 international dealers across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Featured in Film & TV
Worn on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, and custom-made for Margot Robbie in Barbie and Jennifer Lopez in Shall We Dance.
Champion-Endorsed
Co-developed with legends like Bill & Bobbie Irvine, Walter Laird, and Lorraine Rohdin. Seen at the Blackpool Dance Festival.
Proudly Made in Britain
What makes us different is that we are proudly made in Britain. Supadance is still family-owned and operates from a modern factory in Debden, just outside London. Our flagship retail store is currently located in Buckhurst Hill, Essex, and will be moving to our Debden premises at the end of the month.
Many components — from leather and satin to the sole and strap — are still cut and assembled on-site by our long-standing craftspeople, some of whom have been with the company for over 30 years.
We are now in our third generation — with Barry and his wife Mariola Free, a former Latin dance professional, leading the company forward while keeping our commitment to quality, tradition, and innovation at the heart of everything we do.
60+
Years of Heritage
100+
International Dealers
30+
Years Avg Staff Tenure
3rd
Generation Family-Run
From Blackpool to Hollywood
Our shoes are worn by the world's top competitors at the most prestigious dance events, including the Blackpool Dance Festival, and endorsed by legends such as Bill and Bobbie Irvine, who co-developed our court shoe Style 1003.
Supadance has been featured in global TV hits and Hollywood blockbusters — from Strictly Come Dancing to Barbie, where we custom-made shoes for Margot Robbie, and Shall We Dance with Jennifer Lopez, Richard Gere, and Susan Sarandon.
"The perfection of their ballroom dance shoes comes from technical knowledge gained by working with all leading professional dancers."
Thank you for being part of our journey. From a small East End workshop to the world's top dance floors — and even the silver screens of Hollywood — Supadance continues to honour its roots with every step.