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Following her performance at the famous Blackpool Dance Festival in May with partner Eric, we reconnect with Anna to learn about the inspirations that led to her new Chrisanne Clover Ballroom dresses, which she showcased at the event…

 

Congratulations on your results at the Blackpool Dance Festival – how was this years’ experience for you both?   Last year was our first time competing in Professional Ballroom, which made it quite nerve-wracking. However, this year we truly relished our time dancing even more.     Please kindly confirm your results for each dance

 

Foxtrot 4th Waltz 5th Viennese Waltz 6th Tango 7th Quickstep 7th

 

BDD720PP: This electric pink Ballroom dress was made for the team match event, embellished with Swarovski crystals including colours light topaz, metallic sunshine and crystal shimmer

 

 

You had 3 new dresses made for the event – please share your inspirations and ideas behind each dress

 

We had a fantastic colour for the team match; the team leader proposed Electric Pink adorned with gold crystals. This colour combination is truly unique. Electric Pink and gold together really draws the eye. I'm extremely happy with how the designer positioned the crystals – the overall finish of my dress looked so sparkling and elegant.

 

 

BDD702PP: Anna wore this orange and cappuccino Ballroom dress in earlier rounds, embellished with Swarovski crystals including colours orange glow delite, light rose shimmer and tangerine.

 

The orange dress draws inspiration from my apple green dress that I wore for the Internationals last October. I adored that dress so much that I wanted a gown with a similar concept – a vibrant colour adorned with sparkling Swarovski crystals, expertly selected and arranged by the Chrisanne Clover team. The pink hue of the crystals complements the orange beautifully. I felt incredibly confident wearing it, and the orange just glowed and stood out so much under the dancefloor lights.

 

 

BDD697PP: For the final Anna wore this black and sugar pink Ballroom dress, adorned with feather fringe and embellished with Swarovski crystals including colours crystal AB, jet hematite and light rose.

 

For the finale, I wanted something that combines elegance with fashion. In my black and pink dress, I truly felt like a princess!      Did you have a favourite dress and why?

 

Without a doubt, my black and pink dress for the finale was stunning. It appeared even more beautiful than the initial design illustration and made me feel like a princess. I adore the crystal embellishments and the way the dress flows while dancing. Chrisanne Clover truly excels at capturing intricate details.

 

Anna showcases our NEW limited lace collection against her stunning couture collection, wearing left: Elizabeth top with the Isabelle Ballroom skirt. Right: Florence Ballroom dress

 

 

We had the new limited dancewear at the Blackpool Dance Festival stand. What were your favourite pieces from the new collection and why?

 

I wore the Harriet Top along with the Anya Trousers for the conference, and I truly appreciated the overall appearance! The Harriet top, in particular, caught my eye. It boasts a unique style – both fashionable and sophisticated at the same time. The lace detailing is incredibly alluring, which is also the reason I am fond of the Florence dress with its delicate lace back as well.

 

 

Anna wears the Daphne Ballroom Dress from the 2025 Chrisanne Clover Dancewear collection

 

Do you have a favourite dancewear piece from our other collections?

 

My current favourite is probably the Daphne Ballroom Dress from the Chrisanne Clover Dancewear 2025 collection that was launched in January. I love the georgette cape sleeves they make the perfect floats and creates lots of movement when dancing.

 

 

 

 

What are your plans now? I’m preparing for more competitions and looking forward to my next dress Chrisanne Clover will make for me for the Internationals in October!

 

We look forward to seeing Anna and Eric again in the UK in October for the Internationals!

 

SHOP ANNA'S COUTURE COLLECTION HERE >

 

This May, dancers from across the globe gathered to Blackpool to participate in The Open Worlds at the Blackpool Tower and the Blackpool Dance Festival in the Wintergardens.

 

Here we showcase our unique couture worn by our sponsored dancers at these events. Every dress is Made in London at our headquarters by our talented couture team. Each design reflects the unique personality and style of the dancers, with every dress adorned with the finest Swarovski® crystals.

 

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This dazzling Buttercream Ballroom dress was designed for the world dance champion Irina Cherepanova which she wore at the Open Worlds, Blackpool. A peplum design feature with a nude stretch net bodice is beautifully embellished by hand with only the best Swarovski crystals including colours light rose, sunshine delite, jonquil and crystal shimmer. Buttercream satin chiffon skirts and floats, ostrich feather boa pom pom floats makes for luxurious texture and movement.

 

 

 

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In previous rounds, Irina wore this striking black and nude Ballroom gown. Adorned with Swarovski crystals in shades like crystal, silver night, jet, and jet hematite. It was complemented by an ostrich feather boa for an opulent touch. 

 

 

 

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For the team match, Irina donned a stunning red Ballroom dress adorned with Swarovski crystals in shades of fire opal, light siam, and scarlet. Luxurious ostrich feather boas elegantly cascade over each arm, adding a dramatic touch.

 

 

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At the Blackpool Dance Festival, Anna donned this stunning black and sugar pink Ballroom dress for the final. The smooth velvet bodice is adorned with Swarovski crystals in shades of jet, crystal ab, jet hematite, light rose, and rose. The satin chiffon skirts are beautifully decorated with ostrich feather fringe, layered over organza underskirts. A sparkling crystallized necklace compliments the look.

 

 

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In previous rounds, Anna donned this beautiful orange satin chiffon and cappuccino Ballroom gown, adorned with Swarovski crystals in shades like crystal AB, orange glow delite, light rose shimmer, and tangerine. The satin chiffon godets lay gracefully over organza underskirts, complemented by embellished stretch net gloves featuring attached orange georgette floats.

 

 

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For the team match Anna wore this dazzling electric pink Ballroom dress embellished with Swarovski crystals including colours light topaz, metallic sunshine and crystal shimmer.

 

 

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Vilhelmina wore this dazzling tropic lime Ballroom dress, adorned with 3 dimensional petals and embellished with Swarovski crystals including colours electric yellow, crystal shimmer, jonquil and metallic sunshine.

 

For more information about the couture featured in this blog contact our couture sales team [email protected]

 

SHOP THE BLACKPOOL COUTURE COLLECTION HERE >

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After triumphing in the Professional Ballroom at The Worlds Blackpool, we reconnect with Irina to find out how her experience at Blackpool was…

 

How was this years experience for you both at the worlds Blackpool?

It was wonderful as ever; returning to the UK, the heart of the Ballroom world, always feels incredible, particularly when visiting such a legendary and historic place like The Blackpool Tower.

 

Bdd714pp Buttercream Irina’s finale buttercream dress was embellished with Swarovski crystals including colours light rose, sunshine delite and crystal shimmer.

 

You wore 3 stunning dresses, please tell me your favourite dress and the design inspirations behind it?

My favourite dress among the three is the buttercream one, although I adore all my Chrisanne Clover dresses.

 

The inspiration for this dress came from a trip to Paris we took in January for a two-day holiday, where we visited Balenciaga. I tried on one of their couture dresses and instantly fell in love with it. It was made of black velvet and featured a hip corset design. The price was astonishing, as you can imagine, so after sharing my thoughts with the designers about what I loved in that dress, they crafted a similar hip line for me. In my opinion, it looks even better than the Balenciaga dress on me.

 

Bdd715pp In earlier rounds Irina wore this black and cappuccino Ballroom dress embellished with Swarovski crystals and adorned with ostrich feather boas

 

 

What was it like dancing in the tower ballroom with its grand history?

The tower ballroom is incredibly stunning; when you gaze at the ceiling and the surroundings, it feels as if you’ve stepped into a fairy tale. It’s truly enchanting, especially in my buttercream dress, which made the experience feel exceptionally special. 

 

BDD671PP

For the team match, Irina wore this red lace Ballroom dress embellished with Swarovski crystals and adorned with ostrich feather boas

 

What are your plans now?

We have just returned from our brief holiday and are beginning to get ready for the Internationals. Naturally, we are looking at a very hectic summer ahead, filled with numerous events, shows, and travels to Asia.

 

 

We look forward to seeing Irina and Stanislav back in the UK in October for the Internationals!

 

SHOP IRINA'S COUTURE COLLECTION HERE >

 

Eric Li Cheng and Anna Zhou started dancing together in 2004 (October) as Junior for China. Currently they are registered as a couple in China and they dance in Professional.

 

Anna Zhou and Eric Li Cheng with Chrisanne Clover Managing Director Ronnie Li at the Blackpool Dance Festival

 

Where did you grow up? When did you start dancing?

 I grew up in China and started to learn Latin dancing at the age of 8. I wanted to discover the beauty of other dances and started to learn Ballroom dancing when I was 9 years old. Ballroom dancing has since become my love and passion

 

 What is your favourite dance?

 I much prefer the faster dances and I particularly love the Tango and Quickstep

 

What is your favourite competition?　

Cimen Open in China is my favourite one. It’s an annual comp in November, always with a grand venue and amazing judge panel.

 

Why are you proud to be a Chrisanne Clover sponsor?

My childhood dream is to wear a Chrisanne Clover dress, and it’s really a dream come true! CHRISANNE CLOVER is the best dancewear company in the world and has always been my most favourite company to go to for dancewear. The Couture dresses are truly outstanding and I am so thankful to be able to represent CHRISANNE CLOVER it is such an honour.

 

 

What is your favourite Chrisanne Clover colour?　

There are LOTS of colours to choose from, and it’s hard to pick a favourite but wearing my sugar pink shaded Ballroom dress at the Blackpool Dance Festival is probably my current favourite :)  Chrisanne Clover has always been the best in using colours. The making of their dresses and embellishment are amazing.

 

What is your favourite piece of Chrisanne Clover Dancewear?

It is very hard to pick one but I would probably say the Anya jumpsuit. It fits so well and the flared palazzo trouser style makes it looks like a Ballroom dress with side splits! It combines elegance with comfort perfectly. Each Chrsianne Clover practicwear piece has a unique design, which I admire.

 

What are your hobbies?

Dancing is both my career and hobby. I also like boxing!

 

What do you do in your spare time to relax?

I love trying different food. I’ve got sweet tooth – a very happy me after having them.

 

Do you have any advice to young dancers reading this?

Believe in yourself, your partner and your teachers, and try very very hard! Just do it, your dream will come true.

 

 

Read more on Anna here >

 

At Chrisanne Clover we are thrilled to welcome to the sponsor family Irina Cherepanova, a professional Ballroom dancer who has had huge competition success with partner Stanislav Zellanin. Here we catch up with Irina as we prepare her fittings for her next Ballroom dress…

 

When did you start dancing?

I started dancing when I was 8 years old and Stas started dancing when he was 6, but for him it was not serious because at 6 it is just fun dancing … from 8 I was already very serious lol ;)

 

How long have you been partners for?

We started dancing together when we were 12 so we have been dancing together for about 20 years

 

What got you into dancing?

Actually, this is a very interesting story because my Mum had a good friend whose son went to dance class and he needed a dance partner, so they asked me to go dancing and be his partner … but after 2 months he stopped dancing lol

 

What is your highest achievements in dance?

I think the biggest achievement is that we still dance together after all these years haha! However if you talk about recent achievements, it’s to become Vice World champions and Vice Champions at Internationals 2022. Another proud moment is this year’s World Super Stars in Tokyo because we did 4 unique shows and my dresses helped me to express myself in the best possible way … as a kid we watched all the world superstars on DVD and now we are there also, it is truly amazing!!

 

 

What is your favourite competition?　

Actually, we both just love to compete so big or small – it doesn’t matter to us as long as we are on the dancefloor.

 

Why are you proud to be a CHRISANNE CLOVER sponsor?

When I was young I used to watch all the videos of the top dancers and be in awe of them wearing such amazing dresses, such as Joanne Bolton. A lot of those beautiful dresses worn were Chrisanne - so to now be dressed by Chrisanne Clover is really such an honour and a privilege.

 

(Our talented dressmaker Emma who is currently making Irina’s dresses actually made Joanne Bolton’s dresses too! )

 

What is your favourite Chrisanne Clover colour?　

At the moment I love the colour spearmint > and cobalt >, to be honest the colours are so bold and bright that all the colours look spectacular – even the colour white > is so vivid it truly looks amazing!

 

What is your favourite piece of Chrisanne Clover Dancewear?

Emma trousers >  they are very comfortable to dance in especially practicing for a showdance as sometimes you can get your foot stuck in the trousers, but with the cuffs it makes it very comfortable and convenient.

 

If you didn’t dance what do you think your career would be?

Dance lol! I don’t know maybe something related to the theatre or history …

 

What are your hobbies?

To be honest I don’t have a hobby as such but if I have the time it would probably be to go to see a show or a museum.

 

 

What do you do in your spare time to relax?

We love to travel and explore what the cities have to offer, recently we went to Paris and spent a lot of time checking out the museums Orsay and Louvre, we also enjoyed watching various shows but the most impressive was the opera at the Palais Garnier.

 

Do you have any advice to young dancers reading this?

Believe in yourself and never give up … Keep going and enjoy the process

 

You can watch Irina and Stansilav dance here >

 

Our new Sponsored Gold dancer Anna Zhou graced the dancefloor at the Blackpool Dance Festival looking stunning in her Chrisanne Clover Sugar Pink shaded Ballroom dress embellished with Swarovski® crystals; Reviving her partnership with Eric Li Cheng with fantastic results!

6th Waltz

6th Foxtrot

7th Quickstep

9th Tango

9th Viennese Waltz

 

 

Anna is was lovely to see you back on the dancefloor with Eric – how long has it been since you were at the Blackpool Dance Festival together?

It was 6 years ago!

 

 

Last time you were at the Blackpool Dance Festival  you were dancing in Amateur – did it feel much different dancing in professional?

I felt it was even more enjoyable and challenging dancing in the professional, it was so great to be back at the Wintergardens :)

 

 

How long had you and Eric danced together before previously?

Before Eric danced with Liss End after I had my baby we had danced together for 13 years

 

 

Does it feel any different dancing with Eric again or does it feel like no time has passed?

I feel that for both of us our dancing and thinking is more mature now. As a “new partnership”we dance in a better level of harmony

 

Both you and Eric have children now how has that changed the dynamics to your partnership?

There are no obvious changes. I am still perusing my dream :)

 

 

How was the Blackpool Dance Festival competition for you? What were your highlights?

It was an honour to be back dancing in the Wintergardens at such an iconic venue. My highlight has to be when the chairman announced our number into the final round of the first dance~ Slow waltz. We were so happy and overjoyed!

 

 

You showcased your return in a Chrisanne Clover Sugar Pink shaded dress – how was the dress for you?

This dress made me feel I like I was the most glamorous lady dancer on the dancefloor. Being dressed in a Chrisanne Clover dress allowed me to feel more confident as a competitor.

 

BDD602PP

Anna wore this sugar pink shaded Ballroom dress beautifully embellished with Swarovski® crystals in colours crystal, crystal AB, Light Rose and Rose. Sugar pink to white georgette godets rests over shaded satin chiffon and sugar pink organza underskirts. Accessorized with shaded georgette floats floating from right shoulder to wrists.

 

 

You placed 6th in the waltz and foxtrot – which dance do you think is your favourite?

I would have to say it is actually the Tango, I just love how dramatic it is to dance and perform

 

 

What are yours and Erics plans for the future with your newly revived partnership?

Haha lots of plans … but all confidential ;)

 

 

It’s amazing after 6 long years, life brings us back together and We step onto the dance floor together again, stronger and better.

This time, We made 3 dances into the Pro ballroom final of the 98th Blackpool dance festival!

Anna, you’re simply awesome! @anna.zhou0624

Grateful to my family, teachers, friends and sponsors! Without your trust and support, I wouldn‘t have made it so far.

Thanks!

Eric ❤️

 

 

Follow Anna’s journey on Instagram here >

You can follow Eric’s journey on Instagram here >

A huge congratulations to our sponsored gold dancer Olga Elsbury and Mark Elsbury for winning the WDO Professional Ballroom Showdance World Championships 2023 …

‘To become a professional world champion has always been a dream for us from when we were both kids, so to have achieved this really is a dream come true and one that would not have possible without the support of Chrisanne Clover!’ Olga Elsbury

 

 

 

Congratulations to our New sponsored gold dancer Irina Cherepanova with partner Stanislav Zelianin for placing 2nd at the UK Open this January   We want to express our deep gratitude to the UK Open Championships organizers @ukopen.international and everyone who was involved! Everything was at the highest level - the light, the floor, the audience, the atmosphere, the music!!! The best feeling in the world to be able to dance in front of ballroom legends! Thanks to all our competitors it's an honor to dance with you on the same floor and congratulations to the champions Valerio @valerio_colantoni and Anna @annademidova23 ! It was a magical night Stas & Irina

It is with such sadness that we say goodbye to the World Professional Ballroom Champions Domen Krapez and Natascha Karabey as they retire from the dancefloor…

 

When it comes to Dancesport couture, Natascha’s styles always stand out from the crowd. Each piece is bold, fearless, and utterly breathtaking. Natascha is never afraid to try something new, creating innovative, eye-catching looks that continue to set trends across the industry and completely dazzle on the dancefloor...

 

Each piece is created to enhance the effect on the floor in a refreshingly modern way, tying together vivid colours, flattering silhouettes and of course, the stunning Swarovski® embellishment that defines each of her designs.  Each piece is completely different but no less stunning, whether its bold geometric shapes, head to toe sparkle or all the colours of the rainbow shaded to perfection, each dress is elevated by her confident approach to style.'  

 

Phoebe Ratcliff-Reid, Couture Designer

 

 

‘Chrisanne Clover makes the most outstanding dresses for Natascha and makes her look absolutely stunning.’ Domen Krapez
 
‘I am so proud to be a Chrisanne Clover sponsor as the company is the best in the business and over the years the dresses have been of outstanding quality with the most beautiful designs. It makes me so happy to work together with the most amazing team of designers and dress makers. I love the intricate design detailing of Swarovski® crystals on my dresses, they are really something special and unique, making each couture one of a kind. Pleated fabric on my dresses has become a signature look for me, it is a gorgeous look and creates so much drama.’ Natascha Karabey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love this couture collection? Contact our helpful sales team who will be more than happy to make your dream dress a reality [email protected]

 

Watch Domen and Natascha dance here >

 

 

Monica’s style has become synonymous with elegance. In each design there seems to be an effortlessness, an ease with the sole purpose to enhance the dance and her own regal energy.

The simplicity of colour or a form are often celebrated with rich stoning and beading to create a luxurious classic look. Despite the overall timeless feel, each piece still features a modern and exciting edge, with daring cutouts, dramatic plunging necklines or a full sheer effect cappuccino bodice covered in bold embellishments.  It’s through this clear creative vision and constant development of past styles fused with high fashion features that something unique and instantly recognisable is created.

Monica’s style is constantly evolving but in each piece it is clear to see an elegance that is at the same time powerful and confident.

 Phoebe Ratcliff-Reid, Couture Designer

 

'I have been sponsored by Chrisanne Clover for over 10 years and in that time I have tried and tested many different styles! There are definitely certain characteristics that have flowed through each couture over the years making my collection of garments unique to me.

 

I love details and sometimes very simple dresses that give a touch of class. Generally the cut of the dress is the same to emphasize the curves of the body. I don’t like too much material in a dress and the colour is usually tan with a splash of colour that is exquisitely embellished with Swarovski® crystals in intricate designs.

The look I strive to achieve within my garments is to look elegant, classy and feminine with a touch of sexiness that every woman desires to achieve.'   Monica Nigro  

 

Take a trip down memory lane with some of Monica's throwback couture highlights ...

 

 

  

 

 

To have a dress made inspired by Monica's collection please contact our couture team who will be more than happy to help make your dream dress a reality
[email protected]