BBO & Samantha - Passion Behind The Brand
Our Managing Director, Samantha Carney, recently sat down with bbodance to talk about her life in dance, what inspires Dansez and why creating beautiful, sustainable dancewear is so important to us.
From growing up as a dancer to leading one of the UK's best loved dancewear brands, Sam shared the experiences that have shaped Dansez and the values that continue to guide everything we do today. We thought we'd share some of the highlights.
If you've ever wondered what makes Dansez different, the answer is simple – we're run by people who genuinely love dance. Sam has been part of the dance world for as long as she can remember. She trained as a dancer, spent time in the commercial dance industry and, fun fact, even modelled for Dansez when she was younger! Today she's leading the business, but her passion for dance is exactly the same.
"I've been incredibly lucky, dance has always been part of my life, so I understand just how important it is for dancers to feel comfortable, confident and able to move freely."
That understanding is at the heart of every Dansez design.
More than just a leotard
Dancewear might look simple, but designing it well takes years of experience. Every seam, every fabric and every cut has to work with the body, allowing dancers to move naturally while feeling supported and looking their best. It's why we spend so much time perfecting our designs and why so many teachers trust Dansez year after year.
Being one of the few dancewear manufacturers still making garments here in the UK also means we can keep a close eye on every stage of production. Every piece is lovingly made in our Kent studio by people who really care about quality.
Doing our bit for the planet
Looking after dancers and looking after the planet go hand in hand. That's why we've chosen to use regenerated ECONYL® performance fabric across much of our collection. Made from rescued waste, including discarded fishing nets and other nylon materials, it gives dancers the same premium performance while helping to reduce waste.
We also believe dancewear should last. Our Free Lifetime Repair Guarantee encourages dancers to repair rather than replace wherever possible, helping garments stay in use for longer and reducing unnecessary waste.
Working together with the dance community
One of the best parts of Sam's role is working alongside dance organisations, teachers and schools to create uniforms that dancers genuinely enjoy wearing. Every partnership starts with conversations, listening carefully to what dancers need before creating garments that are practical, comfortable and made to last.
Sam also works closely with former Birmingham Royal Ballet Principal and Ballet Zürich Principal Brandon Lawrence on his own Dansez collection, combining Sam's design expertise with Brandon's experience as a professional dancer to create pieces that celebrate movement, performance and individuality.
It's this collaborative approach that has led to partnerships with organisations including bbodance, Birmingham Royal Ballets’ Next Gen Associates Programme, ISTD, The Royal Ballet School Affiliate Programme and Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Still excited after all these years
Ask Samantha what she enjoys most and the answer is easy.
"It's seeing dancers wearing something we've created. Whether it's a tiny child putting on their very first leotard or a vocational student preparing for their next audition, knowing we've played a small part in their journey is incredibly special."
As Dansez continues to grow, that passion remains at the centre of everything we do. Beautifully made dancewear. Designed by people who understand dancers. Made with care in Britain and with care for the future of our planet.
A huge thank you to bbodance for inviting Samantha to share her story.
