Sponsored Silver
Alan Valentine and Wendy Greenwood
When did you start dancing? W: I’ve always danced from a young age - not Ballroom and Latin but contemporary and Jazz. I got into Ballroom and Latin later in life, so I have been dancing Ballroom and Latin for 25 years. Me and Alan started dancing in together in September 2021 A: So, I have been dancing since I was 3.5 years old, I’m 44 now! I got involved because my grandma used to do pro-am and even though it wasn’t big over here then, it was an American franchise that came over to Manchester and London, so she used to dance there, and it got me into dancing. She used to have this little room in her house, and they used to do these showcases that got them travelling to places like Las Vegas. She was practicing in the dance room in her house and one day she went out to make a drink – came back in and I was copying everything that she had done in the room! So, Gran was like - we have got to get him into a dance class! Was it Ballroom and Latin dancing you started with? A: yes, it was Ballroom and Latin Have you done any other type of dancing? A: through the dance school I did old time, sequence and disco (freestyle). My mum was a single mum, and she was like you are doing 5 things here can we cut them down a little bit. And at one point Ballroom was better for me than Latin, then people seemed more impressed with my Latin and then that overtook the Ballroom, it was a progression really. And for you Wendy was it because your daughter was dancing formation? W: Yeh I guess, we were literally in the formation world, and we were there like 6 times a week, and they ended up doing an adult class. So, I went along, and it was a matter of ‘ooh you’re alright you’ lol. When Sophie was dancing all the time it can get addictive even just watching and being a part of it and just going – I love the freedom of the dancing. I love the fact that you go and whatever is going on with life – you go dancing and all your worries/troubles/life just disappears. So, it’s that separation and sense of freedom that your body can just flow.
What started our partnership? A: I stopped competition dancing when I was 25 and decided to turn professional. I danced for about 10 years just teaching and stuff like that. At 39 I think I had a mid-life crisis, and I had not taught for a long time. I got back with a partner who I had danced with 15 years before, things didn’t work out because of other commitments and children. It was then through COVID that I helped Wendy out at her fish and chip shop. I said to Wendy call me if you ever need help and so she did lol. It was then that we were in the back room with the potatoes, the batter and the curry sauce mix and we were like literally ‘let’s just give it a go’! I didn’t really think it would evolve as it has, but we were in a bubble at the time, which was great, which meant that we could practice! We had a scout hall that we hired as the scouts weren’t scouting at the time. But I said to Wendy about us maybe having a bit of an aim – a 5-year plan, become British champions in a couple of years, like National – UK champion, but then our second comp was the UK, and we won it! And I thought wow ok; something is probably going to come from this now! So, the 5-year plan happened in the first 12 months! My partner was like right well you have set out to do what you wanted to do and it’s all happened early so why don’t you stop? And I said no way I can’t stop now! And hence now we are coming up to our 4th year together this September! W: And I love it!
Any change on the 5-year plan? A: Last year I said about retiring in November, maybe this is the one as we had a car accident on our way to Blackpool – we got hit by a minibus and I thought that was a sign lol. But to be honest I am not ready yet, I don’t think I will be ready to retire for a long, long time. I think there are still things brewing in the pipeline. W: Even now there is always another layer added on to what we are doing, that makes us feel and dance better and just makes us want to do more. A: While things are evolving and things are continually changing, we just want to do more and more with it – which means the 5-year plan doesn’t become 5 years any more lol W: We are getting booked for demos and stuff like that A: Yes, we are getting asked to do so many shows. Last year we were asked to do a show a year and a half in advance and I was like wow you are organized! And then everyone else wanted us to book us for that same date! It’s amazing!
What are your highest achievements in dance:
A: 4 times UK closed champions, 3x British national champions, finalists in all the national championships like the internationals, UK open, British open, German open, Dutch open. The first open world champions in Blackpool when Paul Killick started The Open Worlds. So, we have had quite a lot of success.
Even though we weren’t the champions I think the British open was our proudest moment
W: I got on the floor and had goosebumps!
A: That was in 2023. We made the final in 2021 but we didn’t in 2022. Actually, I think the second time we won the British Nationals, we got 51 points out of 55 first places and we had won every dance, and I don’t think that has happened in 20 years.
What is your favourite competition? A: There are so many favourites W: I think there are different ones for different reasons. I think Blackpool, no matter what competition you do, you walk onto that iconic Ballroom floor, and it feels like home. A: For me the British Open and British Nationals are my ultimate ones. We like dancing at nice venues. What is your favourite dance? W: Oooh that’s a hard one - I know what you’re going to say Alan! A: You might not lol W: I like the punchy ones, I would’ve said cha cha and rumba, but I am really enjoying the samba now. At this moment in time, I am loving the samba, but I would say overall probably the rumba A: So, my all-time favourite without a shadow of a doubt is the Samba! W: I knew you were going to say that lol! A: My least favourite is the jive, but it is the one that we seem to get the best marks in!
Do you have a favourite Chrisanne Clover colour? W: Oh I have to say I really like the fluorescent red A: For me it would have to be peacock blue. I also really love tropic lime Do yo have a favourite Chrisanne Clover fabric or trimming? W: I love the stretch crepe. It just flows on your body and moves beautifully. I also love the lace motifs. I know motifs come in and out of fashion, but I feel they are coming back in more now What are your hobbies outside of dancing? A: I like travelling and going to the theatre a lot which I am getting Wendy into W: Yes, I like going to the theatre A: We’ve recently come to London to see Tina Turner the musical, Sister Act the musical, Hello Dolly was amazing. We have seen so many shows and when we come to London for dancing and we have a night free, we love to do something like that for a change of scenery. But with watching these shows you pick up things on their performance that’s dance related, or a track that is played that I think might be good for a demo. We found a Rumba version of Hello Dolly to use for a show! So, I guess dancing is still on our minds even when we have a break lol
Do you have any advice to dancers reading this? W: Enjoy your journey and every moment that you have because tomorrow is not a promise. We have lost a lot of people close to us – friends and family. Dancing can be a relative short journey so enjoy every moment of it. A: My advice would be to make it count. Not everybody can be a champion there is only one champion at a time. It is setting a goal for yourself that is not too high and being realistic in what you want. Find people who work well with you, find a good team and don’t cast the net too wide.
Watch Alan and Wendy dance here >
Vilhelmina at the Blackpool Dance Festival 2025
We reconnect with Vilhelmina and Alex following their triumph at the Blackpool Dance Festival to learn about their experiences this year and the inspiration behind her Chrisanne Clover Tropic Lime Ballroom Dress...
BDD701PP – Vilhelmina wore this striking tropic lime Ballroom dress adorned with 3 dimensional petals and embellished with Swarovski crystals including colours moonlight, electric yellow, crystal shimmer and metallic sunshine
How was this years experience for you both at the blackpool Dance Festival? We are absolutely thrilled to have made it to the final! It's our first time performing in the final of the Blackpool Dance Festival, and it felt truly incredible. Please confirm your results? We placed 6th in the Professional Ballroom Rising Star
You wore a tropic lime dress – please tell me why you chose this colour and more about the design of your dress? We picked tropic lime knowing how vibrant it is and that the colour really pops, particularly on the floor in the Wintergardens, and it happens to be Alex’s favourite colour! I love the 3D flowers, they have become part of my dance fashion, but with this dress we tried something unique with the cutouts on the sides of the. bodice, which turned out fantastic.
Any fond memories you can share with us that you had at the this event? This time, we shared a ‘day of a dancer’ on our Instagram stories, and our friends really enjoyed it as they could keep up with our day. We kicked things off in the morning by showcasing our breakfast, followed by the getting ready process with hair and makeup, warming up, and everything in between. Many of our friends and students from the USA, Sweden, China, Hong Kong, and beyond tuned in to the live stream and sent us a flurry of cheerful messages, making us feel incredibly supported, which was such a blast!
What are your plans now? Our goal is to continue enhancing our dancing skills in the USA. This summer season is quite intense, filled with numerous competitions that we will take part in. We eagerly anticipate returning to the prestigious Albert Hall in London in September for the International Dance Festival.
We look forward to seeing Vilhelmina and Alex back in the UK in October for the Internationals! Follow @vilhelminalavrov and @alex.lavrov_on Instagram for all their competition updates
Chrisanne Clover Silver Sponsored Dancers
Alieksandr Lavrov and Vilhelmina Lavrov started dancing together in January 2018 in Youth. They are competing for USA, Alex originally from Ukraine and Vilhelmina from Sweden. They are multiple Swedish champions in WDC and WDSF and now they are one of the Top Professional couples from USA. So far some of their best results internationally are 14th place at the WDC World Professional Ballroom Championship, finalists of the UK Open Rising Star Pro Ballroom, International Dance Festival Rising Star Pro Ballroom, Vice-Champs World Cup U21
They have now been dancing together for seven years, the first five representing Sweden and becoming one of the best couples internationally from Scandinavia. They have been representing USA the last two years.
Read more about them HERE >
FABRIC SPONSORS...
Jack Beale & Nataliia Siyanko
Jack Beale & Nataliia Beale started dancing together in 2018 (August) as Professional for England. Currently they are registered as a couple in England. They dance in Professional .
Their first competition was in England - Birmingham on 2018 (October). So far their best mark is placing 1st in the DPL Professional Ballroom (Nieuwegein Dance Festival in Netherlands - Nieuwegein on Saturday, 07 May 2022).
Watch them dance HERE
Eric Voorn and Charlotte Voorn
Eric & Charlotte started dancing together in 1999 (October) as Senior. Currently they are registered as a couple in Netherlands. They are 6 times Blackpool Finalists (and 8x Semi-Finalists); 13 times International Open (Brentwood) Finalists; 3 times World Champions WDC Paris; 2 times Bournemouth Masters Senior Ballroom Champions; 6 times WDC Dutch Champions; 6 times Dutch NADB Champions; 5 times Dutch Open Assen Champions.
Watch them dance HERE
Jun Wang & Yiwen Jia
Wang Jun & Jia Yiwen started dancing together in November 2011as Amateur for China. Currently, they are registered as a couple in China. They dance in Professional.
Their first competition was in China - Shanghai on November 201. So far their best mark is 1st place in the WDSF PD Open Latin (Russian Open Dancesport Championships 2019 in Russia - Moscow on Saturday, 19 October 2019).
Annie Aini Zhao & Michael Yujie Tang
Tang Yu Jie & Ai Ni Zhao started dancing together in 2019 (November) as Amateur for China. Currently they are registered as a couple in China. They dance in Amateur .
Their first competition was in England - Bournemouth on 2020 (January). So far their best mark is placing 1st in the Rising Star Amateur Ballroom (UK Open 2020 in England - Bournemouth on Tuesday, 21 January 2020).
Xin-Yi (Bobbie) Huang & Yi-Ming Tang
Currently they are registered as a couple in China and they dance in Amateur .
Their first competition was in England on 2022 (April). So far their best mark is 1st in the NL Amateur Latin Trophy (South of England Championships in England on Monday, 04 April 2022).
Vilhelminas' Dancewear Select
Professional ballroom dancer Vilhelmina Lavrov takes a moment to explore our exciting NEW 2025 Chrisanne Clover Dancewear Collection, sharing her insights and impressions along the way.
As she tries on the latest designs, Vilhelmina offers a unique perspective on the fit, style, and overall feel of the garments, highlighting what makes this collection stand out for dancers everywhere.
Temptress Skirt and the Penelope Top
I absolutely adore the side split on this skirt; it adds a touch of sexiness and drama! This design makes it incredibly versatile for various dance styles, including Ballroom, Smooth, and even Paso Doble. The way it flows with movement is just fantastic. I've paired this skirt with the Penelope top, which I find to be very flattering. The shape of the top is lovely, and the slash neckline allows for the option of wearing it off the shoulder, adding an extra flair to the outfit.
Cressida Ballroom Skirt and Charlotte Top
The silhouette of the skirt with the petal shaped hem truly captivates me; it's so on trend right now in dance fashion. I adore how it fits and the graceful way it flares out. Pairing it with the Charlotte top creates a stunning combination. The sheer stretch net beautifully contrasts with the solid skirt, flattering the arms perfectly. The low cowl back is a lovely touch, with the subtle Chrisanne Clover logo peeking through at the center back. Altogether, it makes for a sophisticated outfit and dancing in it feels amazing.
Daphne Ballroom Dress
The georgette float effect sleeves are absolutely stunning and sway beautifully during dance. The flared skirt complements the movement wonderfully, while the keyhole back adds a touch of sophistication. This look is Alex's favourite from the collection on me! Although the georgette panels can be tied at the front for a different style, I prefer to leave them loose and allow them to flow naturally. The fit and flare design of the dress is incredibly flattering, and the soft crepe fabric feels delightful against my skin.
Eternity Top and Emanuela Trousers
I absolutely adore these trousers; they truly embody everything you could desire in a pair of dance pants! The sharp pin tuck detail brings a sophisticated flair, and the splits from calf to ankle are a brilliant feature that allows for easy movement without the risk of tripping over them. The tie option is fantastic, providing that extra bit of security to prevent any mishaps with the fabric. I'm so excited to wear these while teaching! I've styled them with the eternity top for a polished and elegant look.
Isla Top and Anya Trousers
These palazzo trousers are absolutely fantastic; they look just like a ballroom skirt! The flared trouser design combined with the tie detail adds a touch of elegance, and I adore how they flow with every step. Pairing them with the Isla top is a brilliant choice, as it beautifully complements the trousers, highlighting the graceful movement of the flared palazzo with its georgette cape and flowing drop hem. The stretch net back adds a sleek element, and the keyhole detail at the back provides a sophisticated touch to the overall look.
Favourite Pieces?
I adore the Cressida Ballroom skirt and the Emanuela trousers they are my 2 favourite pieces I this collection with their design detailing of the skirts petal shaped hem, and the trousers pin tuck lines with calf splits with the added ties – perfection! The stretch crepe fabric makes all theses pieces feel so light, but soft and doesn’t make you sweat – this collection is so good!
Catching up with Vilhelmina and Alieksandr Lavrov
It was great to catch up with our sponsored dancers Vilhelmina and Alieksandr Lavrov while they are in the UK ready to compete at the UK Open..
How do you feel about competing at the Uk Open taking place next week?
V: Excited! A lot of practice has gone into it and I'm so excited to wear my new dress!
You danced at the Star Ball 100 year anniversary this week how was that for you?
V: It was really good, and always amazing to dance to a live orchestra with Len Philips. The dress felt great we always like dancing on that dance floor with good judges and a great atmosphere!
A: the lights are amazing at this event and when we are dancing to a live orchestra it gives us a great feeling and so much energy!
V: Yes, Len Philips is our favourite orchestra!
A: Plus, I like it in the final that they change from Latin to Ballroom which means the dancers have the time to recover and give their best performance and they don’t look tired lol
Vilhelmina in her hot red feather shaded dress at the UK Open 2024
Is the UK Open one of your favourite competitions?
A: The Internationals at the Albert Hall is my favourite
V: The Internationals is n1, UK Open n2, and Blackpool Dance Festival n3. These are the top 3 competitions in the world and they are all in the UK and they are our favourite The world championships is always changing places so we can’t really make that a favourite as it is different every year.
A: But the next world championships taking place this year will be in Tokyo, so we are really looking forward to going there! For me it will be my first time in Japan, Vilhelmina has been several times – we will try and stay for a few more days either before or after the competition to explore!
How different does it feel now you have turned professional compared to what it was like when you were in amateur?
A: I feel it was the right time and the right moment. When I look at amateurs dancing now they are so much younger!
V: I feel when we first turned professional it was scary, a scary decision and scary on the floor, but once we were on the floor as professional, the other competitors were so much more respectful.
A: Yes, I like the floor craft of the professionals, they don’t dance dirty – no pushing or blocking…
V: yes much more respectful and mature
A: This is what I felt we were doing in amateur but when on the floor it was like ‘run forest run’ lol keep your frame and go go go haha
V: In professional it really feels more about the dancing and much more gentle.
A: Pro’s are more skilled, with more technique and experience so they know what to do in stressful situations
Vilhelmina's shaded sugar pink ombre feather Ballroom dress at the Blackpool Dance Festival 2022
How long have you lived in America now?
V: 2.5 years
And how are you finding it living in America?
V: at the beginning it was so hard, for the first 6 months it was really bad!
A: We were seriously thinking of moving back lol
V: I think we had made the decision to move back …
A: Vilhelmina made the decision to move back, I said lets wait a few more months and then if we feel the same way we move back
V: And then you said we should move back and I said no lets stay lol!
Oh no so what changed your minds?!
V: It was a complete culture shock! But with the dancing everything was great!
A: We had a great place to practice, we have great teachers,nice competitions, the students also appreciate you a lot. But it’s a chain of documents! We couldn’t get this document without this document – we needed to practice so we rented a car and all our savings from Sweden went into renting this car! For foreigners it is so difficult!
Vilhelmina in her hot magenta shaded Ballroom dress at the Blackpool Dance Festival 2024
But everything has worked out and you are settled?
V: Yes we are settled now and we are going to extend our visa’s lol
A: During our dance career we will 100% be in the USA, when we retire and think about a having kids/family we will see about that … because Sweden is number 2 in the world for raising children, however USA is the top 3 in the world for the dancing industry
What makes USA so great for the dancing industry?
A: ProAM
V: I think that they have so many competitions and they are super well organized, every competition is well organized!
A: Sometimes just the local competitions here in New Jersey are on par with some of the world championships! The lights and music are just as amazing almost every competition here is 5 days long, they have rhythm and smooth also here so it has a completely different feel, and each day covers each area of competition – Ballroom, Latin, Rhythm and Smooth.
V:They respect the dance so much and the students really admire the dancing and want to learn so much, and for us as professionals – we have access to the best teachers! Like just 15 minutes from our house we have Katusha Demidova!
A: The location where we are in New York - everyone from Europe comes to this area to teach lessons and everyone from the US comes to New York to give lessons – its like the epicentre of dance!
Vilhelmina wearing the Cressida Ballroom Skirt and Charlotte Top from the NEW 2025 dancewear collection
You have just tried on the our NEW Chrisanne Clover Dancewear 2025 collection – what pieces stood out to you the most and why?
V: The pants definitely! The Emanuela Trousers I really like those, I love the style with the pintuck pleat and the ties at the ankles because it makes them so comfortable to practice in. And the Cressida Ballroom Skirt! The style is so in fashion on the dancefloor right now – it feels light and I love the feel of the stretch crepe. Every single item in the Chrisanne Clover dancewear collections has the perfect material! It is light, but soft, not sweaty lol they are really good!
A:I have a shirt in the Chrisanne Clover stretch crepe material I like to wear it a lot – it is so breathable – everyone always asks where I got it from lol
Vilhelmina wearing the Emanuela Trousers and Eternity top from the new 2025 dancewear collection
You have a certain style- look trending at the moment with the 3 dimensional petal shapes - how do you explain your style and why you like it …
V: It is very important that your Ballroom dress accentuates your best features, and also to look stylish and elegant, I like to look very feminine, and love that these 3d flowers gives me some shape – being very tall and thin I can look very flat, but by adding these 3 dimensional features helps give me some shape and it makes the dress look really luxurious and expensive!
A: I feel no matter what shape you have these flowers will create a 3 dimensional picture to your look
V: I like to have floats and feathers to accentuate our shape, like at the moment I have some hanging from the right shoulder, and I like it when the skirt is tighter on the hips as it makes the skirt look a lot lighter.
A: You were the queen of shades now you are the queen of flowers lol
V: I love the shading too because it is not just a column of colour, but now we have the 3 dimensional style … maybe we need to combine them both for the next dress lol
A: I remember when Vilhelmina first had the shading ombre feather boa floats, people though it was crazy …
V: Now everybody does it! Although I don’t think they as good a job at doing it as Chrisanne Clover! Sometimes it can look like 2 colours just stitched together
Vilhelmina in her fire ombre feather shaded Ballroom dress at the Internationals 2022
What would you say are your favourite colour/s at the moment?
V: Always red, red is my favourite colour! I also love hot magenta. Apple green is super beautiful! Aleks likes the tropic lime…
A: I do, I also I love the animal print
What would your future colours be? As all of your favourite colours you have had made into dresses?
A: oh no that’s a secret! Just say black lol
V: We are looking at blues – maybe blue/green. Or yellow – as yellow looks good in Blackpool. Definitely more the blue green style …
A: You had a dress in cobalt before and that looked really good
V: I got my cobalt dress right before the pandemic, so it was hanging in my wardrobe – pride of place - waiting to be worn throughout the pandemic
A: I think maybe one day we could do blueberry as it kind’ve sits between blue and purple depending on the lights and the crystals
Vilhelmina's cobalt Ballroom Dress worn in 2020
What are plans after the UK Open?
V: After the UK Open, actually the day after we come back we have a competition in America, we have the Eastern United States Dance Championships, and we will be representing New Jersey as the best Professional couple on the team match. Then after that in February and March it is a super busy intense time for competitions in America, so we have the New York Dance Festival, Eastern United States Championships, Tri State Championship and many more. Then we are thinking of coming back to England sometime in April for lessons, and then it is the big Blackpool Dance Festival!
A: I loved that we saw Ronnie and Jamie in the US before Christmas! Come back again we cant wait to see you!
Vilhelmina's most recent white Ballroom dress worn in Las Vegas 2024
Everyone at Chrisanne Clover wishes the best of luck to Vilhelmina and Alex at the UK Open!
You can watch Alex and Vilhelmina dance here >
Wear it like Vilhelmina
Wearing our C by Chrisanne Clover Practicewear collection, Vilhelmina gives us her view on some of her favourite collection pieces and her pairing choices …
‘I absolutely love how silky smooth the skirts and tops feel when I dance. They are flexible, but still stay beautifully on my body when I dance. My favourite is the Bellatrix dance top, I think the back is so beautiful, it suits perfectly both with a skirt for practice and with pants for teaching. The skirts are in my opinion the perfect length, and feels light and airy when I am dancing’
Bellatrix Top & Capella Skirt
Vilhelmina is dressed in the Bellatrix top and Capella Ballroom skirt - The top has all the moves with its cowl draped back in contrast to the classic front style with 3 quarter length sleeves, teamed with a bountiful skirt full of dynamic motion...
'This top is my favourite from the collection - I love pairing it with the Capella Ballroom skirt with its impressive movement I feel they really enhance my moves on the dancefloor.'
Gemini Top with the Venus Skirt
Dressed in the Gemini top and Venus skirt this chic dance top is the perfect staple must with its complimentary V shaped neckline; teamed with the rouched waistband Ballroom skirt for a flattering finish...
'The rouching of the skirt waistband is very flattering and I like to dress it with the Gemini top that is beautifully fitted'
Galaxy Top & Capella Skirt
Dressed in the Galaxy top and Capella Ballroom skirt - the fitted top features a butterfly effect stretch net sleeves, teamed with a full skirt creating dynamic movement...
'The sleeves on this top is very elegant and I love how it moves when I dance - dressed with the Capella Ballroom skirt creates so much movement on the dancefloor!'
Dancewear as worn by Dancers
Be inspired with how the Amateur and Pro's wear their favourite dancewear pieces from our collections worn for practice, lessons, lectures and show dances. Taking some key looks from our Carmen, Chrisanne Clover Dancewear and LBD Starlight collections these dancers truly bring these looks to life ...