Our Story

I’m Jessica, the dancer behind the brand.

Glissade was born from a belief in moving your body with joy, dancing through life, and creating beautiful, intentional things to wear that make you want to do just that.

Practically speaking, I found myself hunting for dresses that I could both move in while dancing tango, and that could also transition to real life—and finding myself coming up short.

And so Glissade [glee-SAHD] was born.

Just before the pandemic, I hauled out my old sewing machine and began experimenting with designs. And as everything shut down, I found myself with lots more time to design and refine a core group of jersey dresses and skirts that can navigate both dancing, and real life—gracefully, comfortably, and flexibly.

Our dresses and separates are perfect for tango, swing, salsa, ballroom, or any social dance. But I’ve designed them all with an eye to transition into real life—brunch outings, errands, work from home, picnics, dinner dates, and almost anything in between. Many dancewear brands tend to have a “dance only” aesthetic to me, and I wanted to create something unique that lived in both worlds.

Each piece is named after a dance step, style, or reference, all inspired by the movement, ease, and grace of dancing. Everything is intended to bring a refined aesthetic together with effortless, wearable versatility.

Each piece is designed and made to order for you here in San Diego, California. We also give 5% of profits to support organizations on the ground here in our community that help children, animals, and the environment.