In the world of competitive ballroom dancing, few partnerships have achieved the level of success, consistency, and elegance demonstrated by Natascha Karabey and Domen Krapez. Their journey combines talent, dedication, and a shared passion for dance that has taken them to the pinnacle of international ballroom competition.

Early Beginnings: A Lifelong Passion for Dance

Domen Krapez: From Slovenia to the World Stage

Domen Krapez grew up in Ljubljana, Slovenia, where his love for dance began at an early age. Inspired by classic Fred Astaire films, he was introduced to dance by his mother, who enrolled him in a local dance studio. By the age of ten, Domen had already decided that dance would be more than a hobby—it would become his life's calling.

His commitment and determination quickly paid off, leading to a distinguished international career as a competitor, performer, and teacher. Throughout his journey, Domen has remained devoted to the artistry and discipline of ballroom dancing, earning recognition as one of the sport's most accomplished professionals.

Natascha Karabey: Ballroom Dancing in Her Blood

For Natascha Karabey, dance was a natural part of life from the beginning. Raised in Bad Homburg, Germany, she grew up surrounded by dance through her parents' renowned dance studio. Her early exposure to ballroom music and movement sparked a fascination that would evolve into a world-class career.

Known for her exceptional work ethic, elegance, sophistication, and technical precision, Natascha began dancing at the age of ten. These qualities, combined with years of dedication, have established her as one of the most respected figures in competitive ballroom dancing.

A Record-Breaking Career

Before partnering with Domen Krapez, Natascha achieved remarkable success alongside her brother, Sascha Karabey. Together, they became one of Germany's most successful amateur ballroom couples, winning numerous national titles and reaching finals in major international competitions, including European and World Championships. Their runner-up finish at the 2005 World Championships remains one of the highlights of her amateur career.

Natascha dominated the German dance rankings throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, earning an impressive collection of national titles. Her achievements helped establish her reputation as one of Germany's most successful ballroom dancers.

The Partnership That Changed Everything

In December 2014, Natascha Karabey and Domen Krapez joined forces, creating a partnership that would soon become one of the strongest in professional ballroom dance.

Competing both nationally and internationally, the pair quickly established themselves among the elite. Their combination of technical excellence, artistic expression, and outstanding chemistry on the dance floor brought rapid success.

From 2015 to 2021, they won the German Professional Standard Dance Championship six consecutive times, with only the pandemic-related cancellation in 2020 interrupting the championship schedule. They also claimed silver medals at the European Professional Championships in 2016 and 2017 before progressing to even greater achievements on the world stage.

Major International Achievements

The accomplishments of Karabey and Krapez are among the most impressive in modern ballroom dancing. Their achievements include:

World Professional Ballroom Champions (2021, 2022)
Blackpool Dance Festival Professional Ballroom Champions (2021)
UK Open Professional Ballroom Champions (2021, 2022)
International Professional Ballroom Champions, London (2021)
European Professional Standard Dance Champions (2021)
World Professional Standard Dance Champions (2021)
World Professional Show Dance Champions (2018)
United Kingdom Dance Championship Professional Standard Champions (2022)
Twelve-time World Championship finalists
These achievements reflect years of discipline, innovation, and consistent performance at the highest level of the sport.

The Dance Behind the Titles

Despite their extensive list of accolades, both dancers remain deeply connected to the joy that first attracted them to ballroom dance.

Their favourite dance is the Slow Foxtrot, a discipline celebrated for its smoothness, elegance, and musicality. They also share a particular affection for the UK Championships, which they consider their favourite competition.

Among their proudest moments, Domen highlights his first competition with Natascha and reaching his first Blackpool final, while Natascha fondly recalls becoming Vice World Amateur Champion in 2005 and winning her first German Championship title in 1999.

Style, Elegance and Stage Presence

A key aspect of Natascha's success is her unmistakable style on the dance floor. As a long-standing ambassador for Chrisanne Clover, she has become known for her stunning ballroom gowns and sophisticated presentation.

One of her most memorable costumes was a fluorescent red dress worn at the UK Championships in 2016. The vibrant colour created a striking visual impact and became one of her favourite competition looks.

Natascha particularly appreciates intricate rhinestone detailing, which she believes gives each dress a distinctive and unique identity. Her preferred fabrics include pleated materials and georgette, valued for their elegance, lightness, and ability to enhance movement during performance.

The Artistry of Chrisanne Clover Dresses

In ballroom dancing, a costume is far more than a dress—it is an extension of the dancer's performance. For Natascha Karabey, her long-standing relationship with Chrisanne Clover, has been an important part of her competitive journey. 

Natascha has often praised Chrisanne Clover for combining exceptional craftsmanship with innovative design. She describes the brand's gowns as being among the finest in the industry, not only for their beauty but also for the quality and attention to detail that goes into every creation. Working alongside the company's designers and dressmakers has enabled her to bring her artistic vision to life while ensuring every gown complements her movement on the dance floor. 

One of the most memorable dresses of her career was a striking fluorescent red gown worn at the UK Championships in 2016. The bold colour created a dramatic visual impact under the ballroom lights and helped her stand out among the world's best competitors. Natascha recalls feeling both confident and glamorous in the dress, demonstrating how costume design can contribute to a dancer's overall presentation and performance. 

Details That Make a Difference

What makes Natascha's Chrisanne Clover dresses unique is the intricate detailing incorporated into each design. She particularly values the carefully crafted rhinestone patterns, which are designed to catch the light from every angle and enhance movement throughout a performance. These embellishments are more than decorative features; they create visual lines and highlights that accentuate body shape, posture, and choreography as the couple moves across the floor. 

The beauty of a championship ballroom gown lies in its ability to create effortless elegance while supporting demanding technical performance. Natascha's dresses often combine classic sophistication with contemporary styling, reflecting her own reputation for refined technique, precision, and grace. 

A Love of Movement and Fabric

Fabric selection is equally important in competitive ballroom fashion, and Natascha has clear favourites. She particularly loves pleated fabrics, which add dimension and fluidity to every movement. As the dancer turns, spins, and glides across the floor, the pleats create dramatic visual effects that amplify the motion and musicality of the performance. 

Another favourite is georgette, a fabric celebrated in ballroom costume design for its lightweight, flowing qualities. Natascha appreciates georgette for its elegance and softness, as well as the way it creates beautiful movement during slower dances such as the Slow Foxtrot. The fabric allows skirts, floats, and sleeves to move effortlessly, adding an ethereal quality that enhances the overall performance. 

Fashion as Performance

For elite dancers such as Natascha Karabey, ballroom fashion is an essential part of storytelling. Every colour choice, crystal placement, fabric selection, and design element contributes to creating a memorable impression on both judges and audiences. Her partnership with Chrisanne Clover demonstrates how world-class dress design can elevate competitive performance, helping transform technically brilliant dancing into an unforgettable visual experience. 

This attention to detail, combined with the extraordinary achievements of both Natascha Karabey and Domen Krapez, has helped establish them as one of the most recognised and admired partnerships in international ballroom dancing.

A Legacy of Excellence

Combined, Natascha Karabey and Domen Krapez have built a legacy that extends beyond championship titles. They exemplify the qualities that define elite ballroom dancing: dedication, artistry, partnership, and continuous pursuit of excellence.

From their childhood beginnings in Germany and Slovenia to becoming World, European, Blackpool, and UK Open champions, their story demonstrates what can be achieved through passion and perseverance. As performers, educators, and ambassadors for the ballroom community, they continue to inspire dancers around the world and set a benchmark for future generations.