Philosophy
Far’s London Ltd was founded with one aim: to provide affordable dancewear that compliments students’ dancing. Far’s London set out to introduce dancewear and shoes that are crucial to healthy and more enjoyable dancing.
The idea behind this company’s forming was when I joined university and started competing at the Universities’ competitions. My fellow students wore outfits that compromised their dancing rather than complimenting it. With that thought in mind I searched the internet and the stands of exhibitors at competitions, both university and open ones, specifically looking for dancewear and accessories affordable by students.
The price level I found was acceptable to, at best, serious competitors. When I put myself in the shoes of a beginner dancer who is only starting to compete, I would rather be aching and dancing in my black leather shoes than investing 60 or more pounds in a pair of dance shoes, much less another 90 for practice wear.
Latin & Ballroom has its basic specialist equipment just like most other sports, without which any experience of it could not be enjoyed to the full extent possible.
Practice wear – tops, skirts, shirts and trousers - is made of stretchy material, which ensures unrestricted movement and comfort while still looking elegant. Ballroom skirts are designed to give you maximum movement without compromising the classiness of ballroom dancing. Latin skirts are designed again for the maximum movement while at the same time not being too revealing. The greatness of skirts is that Latin skirts can go clubbing without looking out of place and Ballroom skirts could easily match with a stunning top to go to a ball.
If you have ever tried to play football without studs on grass you will know that the footwear makes a difference. Dancing without dance shoes will hold you back more than you realise. The matter of shoes may sound trivial, but trust me it is not. If the shoes are not designed for dancing they would do damage to your feet, knees and even back - not to mention make it harder to properly execute even the basic dance steps.
Far’s Hong Kong has been working closely with International Dance Shoes (otherwise just known as International), who had informed us that they have a new range to target beginners and students called DanSport. On the note of that news I was delighted as I thought surely at that sort of price (around £30 a pair of dance shoes) at least those beginners who compete should buy a pair of shoes.
Even though the DanSport range has been around for almost 2 years now, students still find it unnecessary to have a pair of dance shoes, much less one pair for Ballroom and a second pair for Latin.
Each type of dance requires the feet to work differently, and thus the shoes are built differently.
After all, having a pair of dance shoes might make you a little more popular in the social scene: you will feel it much better when you are about to step on your partner’s feet!
In the end, we believe that dancewear and shoes contribute to the enjoyment of dancing - be it Latin & Ballroom or Salsa-, which leads ultimately to a wider appeal in the student community.
Yours,
Fiona