About Supadance
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.
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 and construction, 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 further — selecting satin for its ability to be easily dyed and its elegant appearance under competition lighting. He paired this with a suede sole for controlled movement on the dance floor, and a slim heel positioned centrally beneath the dancer’s centre of balance, offering stability while allowing freedom of movement. From those first custom pairs, a legacy was born.
His son, Barry Free, joined him in the workshop at age 15, later training at London’s prestigious Cordwainers College, where he refined his craft and deepened his knowledge of shoe design. Together, Mick and Barry built Supadance into a specialist manufacturer for competitive dancers — creating shoes that offer the perfect balance of performance, comfort, and elegance.
Supadance is still family-owned and proudly operates from a modern factory in Debden, just outside of London, alongside a flagship retail store in Buckhurst Hill, Essex. 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.
Our shoes are worn by the world’s top competitors — and seen at the most prestigious dance events across the globe, including the Blackpool Dance Festival — and have been endorsed by legends such as Bill and Bobbie Irvine, who co-developed our court shoe Style 1003, as well as Walter Laird and Lorraine Rohdin. As Bobbie Irvine once recalled, “The perfection of their ballroom dance shoes comes from technical knowledge gained by working with all leading professional dancers.”
Supadance has also been featured in global TV hits and Hollywood blockbusters — from Strictly Come Dancing to Barbie, where we custom-made shoes for Margot Robbie and her fellow actresses, and Shall We Dance, with Jennifer Lopez, Richard Gere, and Susan Sarandon all dancing in Supadance.
Today, Supadance exports to dancers across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, with over 100 international dealers and a growing market in China. At major competitions, our booths often attract such demand that they require security.
From a small East End workshop to one of the world’s leading dance shoe brands, Supadance continues to honour its roots with every step. 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.
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.
Supadance: About Supadance:
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.
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 and construction, was approached by local dancers who asked if he could modify their shoes for the dance floor. He added suede soles — and the results were transformative. From those first custom pairs, a legacy was born.
His son, Barry Free, joined him in the workshop at age 15, later training at London’s prestigious Cordwainers College, where he refined his craft and deepened his knowledge of shoe design. Together, Mick and Barry built Supadance into a specialist manufacturer for competitive dancers — creating shoes that offer the perfect balance of performance, comfort, and elegance.
Supadance is still family-owned and proudly operates from a modern factory in Debden, just outside of London, alongside a flagship retail store in Buckhurst Hill, Essex. 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.
Our shoes are worn at the world’s top competitions — including the Blackpool Dance Festival — and have been endorsed by legends like Bill and Bobbie Irvine, who co-developed our court shoe Style 1003, as well as Walter Laird and Lorraine Rohdin. As Bobbie Irvine once recalled, “The perfection of their ballroom dance shoes comes from technical knowledge gained by working with all leading professional dancers.”
Supadance has also been featured in global TV hits and Hollywood blockbusters — from Strictly Come Dancing to Barbie, where we custom-made shoes for Margot Robbie and her fellow actresses, and Shall We Dance, with Jennifer Lopez, Richard Gere, and Susan Sarandon all dancing in Supadance.
Today, Supadance exports to dancers across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, with over 100 international dealers and a growing market in China. At major competitions, our booths often attract such demand that they require security.
From a small East End workshop to one of the world’s leading dance shoe brands, Supadance continues to honour its roots with every step. 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.
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.