Capezio crafts ruby slippers for NJSO’s Oz-themed gala

The NJSO’s Spring into Music Gala invites attendees to experience the Oz of L. Frank Baum, whose beloved story came to life on screen in  The Wizard of Oz 75 years ago. The gala—to be held this Saturday, April 26, at NJPAC in Newark—culminates with the NJSO POPS performance of Harold Arlen’s full The Wizard of Oz score as the classic film screens above the stage. 

And now, through a unique creation by Capezio, one guest will leave the land of Oz with a dazzling pair of red ruby slippers.

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the film and celebrate the NJSO’s gala, Capezio created a one-of-a-kind pair of ruby slippers with more than 4,000 Swarovski crystals. The Orchestra will display the sparkling shoes during the evening; the ruby slippers will be available for bidding in the gala’s silent auction.

Lisa A. Giacoio, President of Capezio/Ballet Makers Dance Foundation Inc., says: “While we are a New Jersey-based company predominantly tied to the dance community, we honor and support the Arts in all its forms, and we are tickled ‘ruby red’ to provide this one-of-a-kind Capezio keepsake pair of magical slippers. We are proud to support our very own New Jersey Symphony Orchestra on the occasion of their Wizard of Oz-themed spring gala!”

Capezio captures both the allure of The Wizard of Oz’s most famous footwear and the intricate detail that went into its handcrafted ruby slippers, writing:

“It has been 75 years since The Wizard of Oz exploded on the screen in blazing Technicolor, and it continues to capture the heart and soul of all who dare to “fly beyond the rainbow.” Audiences today are still awestruck by that first glimpse of the bright lemon yellows, the emerald greens and, of course, the ruby reds. From the first moment the Ruby Slippers sparkled their way onto the screen in 1939, they became one of the most beloved and iconic props in movie history. They symbolize the promise of freedom, the power of dreams, the possibility of wishes and the magical comfort of home. They are part of our collective consciousness, and they are a constant reminder that no matter how difficult the road ahead may seem, we can stand tall and succeed because we have “had the power all along.”

“Capezio commemorates this milestone 75th anniversary, in conjunction with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, with the creation of a one-of-a-kind, custom-made pair of Official Capezio Ruby Slippers. Capezio Designer Michelle Binienda, in collaboration with Capezio’s New Jersey based SMU (Special Make-Up) division, lovingly hand crafted these enchanting shoes. Lined in kid leather, and with a sumptuous red satin upper, they are encrusted with more than 4,000 twinkling genuine Swarovski crystals. Handmade designer features include: removable Swarovski crystal bows and a painstakingly hand-stitched, kid-leather Yellow Brick Road footbed liner.* The words “completely dazzling” fall short of doing these shoes any justice. Your world will never be black and white again. The thousands of ruby colored, faceted crystals catch and dance with the light in such a way that you truly believe they are magical. They are, quite literally, every woman’s dream shoe, and one of the most coveted movie props of all time—just ask the Wicked Witch of the West.

“Capezio is honored to have had the opportunity to put our own 127 years of theatrical magic into these exquisite slippers. Now, it is your chance to begin your journey down the Yellow Brick Road, because, for the first and only time, these one-of-a-kind Ruby Slippers are available to you. Braid your hair, get your basket and your dog, and start walking towards the glowing green horizon; you don’t even have to drop a house on anyone.”

*Additional accessories include an alternate Capezio kid-leather footbed lining, a satin shoe bag for storage and a small bag of extra ruby crystals in case the flying monkeys steal any.

Learn more about the Spring into Music gala.