Capezio is the trading name of Capezio Ballet Makers Inc, a specialist manufacturer of dance shoes, apparel and accessories.
Ballet Makers, Inc., of Totowa, New Jersey

Totowa, New Jersey

Totowa is a borough in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the borough population was 9,892.Totowa was formed as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 15, 1898, from portions of the now-defunct Manchester Township and Wayne...

, was founded in 1887 by Salvatore Capezio.

The head of Capezio from the 1950s through the 1980s was Ben Sommers, who "became like a son to [Salvatore] Capezio", though he was not a family member. Sommers branched into high fashion, and the company eventually won the coveted Coty Award in 1952 for its contributions to the industry, including its mainstream ballet flats.

However, after that time the company faced financial difficulties.