Joanna Leunis wears a Paso Doble Desire Designs Desiree original.......

I met Joanna Leunis and her dance partner Michael Malitowski last October at the monthly Stardust Ball on Upper Richmond Road in Putney where I had a stand displaying my Ballroom and Latin competition and cabaret designs as well as my range of Ballroom and Latin practice and social dancewear.  Just in case you are not aware of how successful and popular this world renowned Latin couple are, here are some of their wins:

World Professional Latin
2008, 2009
European Professional Latin 
2007 to 2010
British Professional Open
2008 to 2010
UK Professional Open 
2007 to 2011
International Professional Open 
2005 to 2010


I was asked by Melina Hamilton (owner of Stardust Ballroom) to be Joanna's dresser for her cabaret performance that night at the Stardust Ball as she had quite a few quick costume changes and Melina knew I was very knowledgeable about Latin dresses and costumes.  I didn't have to think twice, after all Joanna is my absolute favourite female Latin dancer who I have been watching in awe for many years.  I always said I wanted to meet her but I didn't think it would have happened so fast.  I asked to meet her and the universe made it happen!

Well as Joanna walked past one of my Ballroom Paso Doble samples on display (see pic below)

http://www.desiredesignsdesiree.co.uk/Ballroom_Dresses/A_REGAL_QUEEN_Paso_Doble_Dress_as_worn_by_Joanna_Leunis

she immediately stopped and came over to admire the design and the extensive elliptical hand beading which was sewn from underneath the bust to the top hip line. She came over and told me how much she loved the design and fabric of this dress which was a silk satin which is luxurious to the touch and very light when dancing which was very important to her.  She felt that the design was exceptionally unique because of its classic simplicity and the use of the elliptical beading all done by hand. I immediately said to her, 'if you like it that much I will happily customise one for you'.  She agreed, so after her cabaret performance that night at the Stardust Ball with Michael which was outstanding as always, she had me take her measurements, and the rest I will say is history.

She asked me to make one minor change to the dress, which was to have gold godet insert on the left side of the skirt (see original design above) to be removed and for the entire skirt on her dress to be made from all red silk satin with the gold hem trim. We made the dress with the change as she requested. Here is Joanna in the dress at her fitting the night before she had to perform in it at the Carl Allan Awards and before she took the dress on her tour of Asia using my dress as her Paso Doble costume for all the shows that she was booked on.

Here is a clip from a Taiwan TV programme showcasing Joanna Leunis performing in a Desire Designs Desiree http://www.desiredesignsdesiree.co.uk dress design as well as a photo below of her performing at the Carl Allan awards.

http://www.malitowskileunis.com/exclusives/m-and-j-on-taiwan-dancing-and-caring/

If you would like us to design something for a competition or cabaret performance, please contact us for a consultation at customerservice@desiredesignsdesiree.co.uk or http://www.desiredesignsdesiree.co.uk

We'll be happy to help!!

Adam Edwards and Zoe Shand wearing original Latin dancewear by Desire Designs Desiree

Desire Designs Desiree has had the pleasure of working with this up and coming 10 dance Ballroom and Latin couple for the past year.  Adam Edwards and Zoe Shand recently won the UK Closed Pre-Am Latin Championship held this July 2011 in Bournemouth. They won the Latin events on both the Saturday and Sunday at this event.  You go guys, we're really proud of you, keep up the great work!!


Desire Designs Desiree have been designing and producing unique designs for this couple to perform and compete in.  In this photo Zoe Shand's Latin dress has been made from black velvet with a plunging neckline and back framed by 10 gross of Swarovski Crystal AB circular and teardrop stones, with a flattering and on trend ostrich feather hem.

We'll be posting more photos of their new outfits, so keep checking in to our blog here or visit our website at www.desiredesignsdesiree.co.uk

 Adam Edwards' shirt in this picture below was made from crepe and covered with 10 gross of Swarovski Jet Hematite stones.  If you're looking for well tailored Ballrooom and Latin menswear at competitive and affordable prices, contact us now at www.desiredesignsdesiree.co.uk

Visit our website today www.desiredesignsdesiree.co.uk, we are having a massive Summer Sale of up to 50% off our Ballroom and Latin practice and social wear!!  

Get shopping at www.desiredesignsdesiree.co.uk while stocks last!!!

MASSIVE BALLROOM AND LATIN SUMMER SALE REDUCTIONS http://www.desiredesignsdesiree.co.uk

You asked for it and we have listened, we finally have what you have been waiting for, our Ballroom and Latin Dancewear Summer Sale has started!!!  Our massive up to 50% off Summer Sale on our Ballroom and Latin Practice and Social Wear range has huge savings and discounts at  http://www.desiredesignsdesiree.co.uk while stocks last!


Here's your chance to get some great quality dancewear at bargain prices.  We have Practice Latin dresses, Practice Latin shoes, Practice Latin skirts, Practice Latin tops, Practice Ballroom skirts and Practice Ballroom tops.  Log on now to http://www.desiredesignsdesiree.co.uk.


Don't delay, these ballroom and Latin practice and social wear pieces won't stay around for long at these prices.  


GRAB A BARGAIN TODAY!! 
http://www.desiredesignsdesiree.co.uk

ABBA inspired costumes for Tweez and the Twinkles

We had the pleasure of designing ABBA style costumes for a new customer Louisa who wanted to do something spectacular for her 50th birthday party.  She contacted us looking for three costumes to be made from lycra and lots of sequins, and they had to make the three women look and feel like superstars as well as being flattering to their bodies for their debut performance at her birthday party in June as 'Tweez and the Twinkles'.  Luckily for us and Louisa she contacted us approximately 10 weeks before her big day which meant we had the time to consult with her to get a very clear idea of what she wanted while preparing initial designs.  

After several design drafts to her very specific requirements she finally agreed on the designs and they were put immediately into production.  She was a perfect customer, in that she knew exactly what she wanted, however she was open to new ideas and was willing to trust us when we recommended things to her.  Well the three ABBA style costumes were a great success and Louisa and her friends as well as everyone who watched the show loved them and their costumes.  I've attached her testimonial as well as pictures and a YouTube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rBYAm4ELqA of their performance, I hope you enjoy it!!  If and when you are looking for custom made costumes, etc, we'd love to be the ones to help create your perfect outfit, contact us now at http://www.desiredesignsdesiree.co.uk/

Louisa's Testimonial

"I am absolutely delighted with the fantastic skills of Desire Designs Desiree. Recently I commissioned three Mama Mia, Abba style costumes for a performance given by myself and two friends at my 50th birthday party.  It was a daunting prospect for us middle aged ladies to be thinking about taking to the stage in lycra!  It was our promise to ourselves that we would find someone who would make costumes that would be flattering, original, dazzling and a joy to wear. It was such a delight finding Desire Designs Desiree online. From the moment I had their first response to my enquiry I felt sure that we had found the right people for the job.  It has been a unique and utterly enjoyable experience working with their team. From the start it was clear that I was working with professionals who really knew how to use their skills and experience, a warm, considerate team who were determined to make our stage debut special for us. I felt confident throughout, without even meeting any one of the them, that I was in expert hands.

Every step of the process of designing our costumes was precise with great attention to detail and with much consideration for our greatest wishes, many of which some would otherwise consider impossible.  When the costumes arrived we were absolutely stunned by how amazing they were, so beautifully made and so feminine and lovely to wear. All our worries melted away and we revelled in putting them on and seeing how gorgeous and flattering they were. All three of us felt incredibly comfortable, it was obvious that our dance performance and the need to move freely had been taken into consideration.

On stage we wowed our audience with our outfits and I can honestly say that most women watching that night admitted afterwards to being green with envy that we not only got to sing and dance in but that we also got to keep such beautiful costumes. Apparently, they told us, we glittered and shone, swished and swayed and shimmied in those outfits. For us, on that stage, wearing them made us feel a million dollars and gave us the confidence and ability to give the performance of our lives.  It was a package of not only the creation of perfect costumes but it also included great kindness, consideration and a warmth in the consistent dedication that was shown towards us and our commission by Desire Designs Desiree and it is one I will always treasure.

I am now looking forward to finding an excuse to use them and their skills again.

Louisa"

www.desiredesignsdesiree.co.uk

customerservice@desiredesignsdesiree.co.uk

Zizi Strallen goes 'bare' in a Desire Designs Desiree original dance costume

One afternoon in August 2010 my company Desire Designs Desiree was contacted by the team organising West End Bares: Strip Britannia, which was a charity performance for the Mad Trust on September 5th, 2010.  They were looking for me to create an original design for one of the dances on the show, well I didn't need to be asked twice, I was immediately on board!  Not only was it an exciting concept for a show, where I would have fun designing the costume, but it would also showcase some of the hottest and talented dancers and performers working today. 


The request was for me to create an original costume for Zizi Strallen who would be dancing with Mark Jennings.  This costume would consist of three layers, which would each be removed to leave Zizi almost bare in a very sexy leotard.  Now, if you're a performer of any kind and / or are involved in theatre or you are a lover of the theatre then you would have heard of the 'Strallen' family dynasty, a family unequivocably blessed with excesses of talent.  Well Zizi is the second youngest daughter of Cherida Langford who performed in the original London production of Cats and whose Aunt is Bonnie Langford.


I had only one meeting with Zizi before the show where I had to take her measurements and confirm the  design I had in mind for her, which she and Mark immediately loved, the only catch to this whole process was that I would only hav 2 1/2 weeks to produce this number which was going to be quite a challenge as we were already so busy.  The only option I had was to just keep my head down and get the job done, which my team and I did.  Well the final costume was a sexy silver and red leotard, which was covered with individually hand stitched red and silver sequins, along with three skirt layers.  Overall the costume by Desire Designs Desiree was a great success, and what helped make it so was the fact that it was being showcased by Zizi, one of London's most dynamic and technically proficient dancers.


Take a look for yourself at pictures of Zizi Strallen wearing the costume below, the first three pictures are of Zizi at dress rehearsal and the other two are backstage on the night of the show.  I've also added a video clip of her and Mark performing live at Cafe de Paris in Piccadilly, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoX-MMLG6W8.  Enjoy!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoX-MMLG6W8

To order a custom made costume, please contact us today via our website http://www.desiredesignsdesiree.co.uk/ or email customerservice@desiredesignsdesiree.co.uk.

Stardust Ball fashion show will showcase new dancewear by Desire Designs Desiree

On Saturday October 16, 2010, get ready as the exciting new dancer-turned-designer Desiree Edwards will be showcasing her new company Desire Designs Desiree and its dynamic, yet affordable, practice dancewear range, including latin skirts, ballroom skirts, latin and ballroom dresses, latin and ballroom shoes, along with a few other surprise pieces.  The best part is that after the fashion show everyone will be able to purchase items from the practice line at a 10% discount.  These discounted prices will not be available anywhere else!!! 

Apart from the Desire Designs Desiree fashion show, which will be a must see, all patrons will be graced with a spectacular cabaret performance by current World Latin Champions, Michael Malitowski and Joanna Leunis.  This October Stardust Ball will to be an event worth being at.  See you all there!!

Don't miss it, book your ticket today.

Get your tickets for the Stardust Ball on October 16th at http://www.stardustball.co.uk/booking.php.

GET THE STRICTLY COME DANCING LOOK FOR LESS

Were you transfixed by Ali Bastian’s Disney princess ballroom frocks or Ola Jordan’s sexy Latin sequins during the last series of Strictly Come Dancing, but not sure you could afford the outfits? Dancer-turned-designer Desiree Edwards of Desire Designs Desiree has the answer, with her reasonably priced custom-made dancewear range.

‘I’ve been dancing for about 15 years, and when I decided to start competing in ballroom and Latin, I was shocked at how much the major dancewear labels charge,’ says Desiree. ‘My designs are for everyone, no matter what age, shape, size or level of experience – and you can live your fashion dream without breaking the bank.’

Desire Designs Desiree has a wide range of fabulous clothes for women, including ballroom and Latin performance dresses, social wear and practice skirts, tops and dresses. You can order one of Desiree’s competitively priced items or have a bespoke version made, choosing the colour, fabric, trimmings, accessories, stones and cut that best suits you.

As an ex-dancer, Desiree knows firsthand what an expensive business it can be, and that dancewear can often be limited to a few designs that only suit certain figures. ‘I make clothes that normal women can wear as well – and feel good in,’ she explains.

‘Since shows like Strictly Come Dancing, So You Think You Can Dance and Got to Dance, people all across Britain are getting dance fever, and I want to provide them with bespoke outfits that are original, fun, sexy and glamorous – and, most importantly, something for everyone, whether you’re taking your first steps or entering a major competition.’

Desiree tested her skills when designing for the 16-person formation team at Stardust Ballroom in Oval, London. Mark and Melina, who run the studio, comment: ‘We were immensely impressed by Desiree’s professionalism, talent and innovative ideas. She communicated well with our dancers, who range dramatically in age, figure, taste and level of experience.

‘She came up with a compromise that suited everyone and made them feel confident in their gorgeous new looks. She delivered beautiful dresses for the girls and smart, well-tailored suits for the guys very punctually – and gave us a really good group rate.’

Desiree can also provide the perfect dress for your big day. You can either choose from one of her elegant and unique wedding dress designs or help her craft your dream look – ‘If you can think it, we can create it!’ says Desiree.

Due to the popularity of her range, Desiree is now expanding her offering to include menswear and childrenswear (including ballet, modern and jazz), shoes and accessories – all at reasonable prices. More information will be provided on her website soon.

For more information on DESIRE DESIGNS DESIREE or to order images, telephone Desiree Edwards on 08452 712 812 or 07789 775 434, email her on desiree@desiredesignsdesiree.co.uk or visit www.desiredesignsdesiree.co.uk