Find out
Who we are
Who are Shades Dancewear?
SHADES dancewear is an inclusive UK brand that allows dancers to retain their identity and embrace their ethnicity from the minute they step into their first dance class. We believe SHADES dancewear will revolutionize the way dancers of all skin tones view themselves, in a space that has yet to fully acknowledge inclusivity.
SHADES dancewear is the first UK dance brand to provide four shades of skin tone in all of their products in all child and adult sizes. We are also the first brand in the globe to offer dance supports in four shades too.
In a space where the market is saturated with dance brands that cater for only the few, SHADES dancewear is for the many.
Support the movement for change and embrace SHADES today, If you would be interested in becoming a SHADES Ambassador, please fill out the form on the Ambassador page.
What we stand for?
Our Philosophy
Shades inspire individuals to be inclusive, reactive, and supportive of one another. Allowing people, businesses, and organisations to understand and appreciate the stories and experiences of one another.
The world is a rainbow full of many colours and all shades should radiate and dance through life. Value and trust are the heartbeat of our vision and a celebration of the diverse world that we live in.
Our Values
Collaboration and Passion
We are dedicated to ensuring that every voice is heard, and every challenge faced will be addressed with empathy and compassion.
Dedication and Compassion
We collaborate with partners and stakeholders, to continually drive the changes with passion and engagement.
Innovation and Inclusion
We are innovative and inclusive, ensuring diversity of thought through motivating mindsets and embracing perspectives.
Laura Grant & Stacey Green
Laura Grant
Hi, I’m Laura Grant, Co-Founder of our amazing not-for-profit TIRED Movement (Trying to Improve Racial Equality in Dance) and Shades Dancewear, the pioneering dance brand bringing skin tone dancewear to ALL dancers no matter what their colour or ethnicity.
As a dancer from the age of 7 and brought up in a diverse community I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by friends of different backgrounds and naively (white privilege!?) believed that everyone was afforded the same opportunities and space as me.
As I became an adult I learned this wasn’t the case and after working in industry for many years I started working in the charity sector campaigning for education, opportunity and access for all.
I am very proud of the work that TIRED Movement is doing and whilst change takes time by building a community we can work together to be the change we want to see.
As the Co-founder I work with the team, our ambassadors, our volunteers and the sector to raise awareness of our work and ensure that all dancers can embrace their ethnicity.
Stacey Green
My name is Stacey Green, the Co-Founder of both the TIRED Movement (Trying to Improve Racial Equality in Dance) and the UK’s new inclusive dancewear brand, Shades Dancewear. I am also the Director of well-established dance school, Freedom Dance & Performance and have over 30yrs teaching experience.
I am currently spearheading the RED (Representation and Equity in Dance) 3-year research project alongside Lead Researcher Dr. Imogen Aujla, working with several vocational colleges including Bird College and Laine Theatre Arts.
Through student and faculty consultation we are currently developing a collaborative framework that can be implemented to ensure racial representation, diversity and inclusivity form part of all aspects of performing arts education.
I regularly deliver talks all over the UK, raising awareness about the importance of racial representation in dance education and have supported and empowered hundreds of students to share their voice
As a dancer, I was used to being the “only one in the room” As a teacher and mentor, I am still frequently the only global majority educator in the room. Through my lived experiences within the dance sector, representation matters to me, and I am determined to continue to drive the changes that are needed and ensure that dance is inclusive for all.
