Tripping the LIGHT FANTASTIC

Ballroom dancing is fun and great for your health. Like the Strictly contestants and these dance-lovers have found out…

‘I make my own dresses’

STACIE TAYLOR, Stanford-Le-Hope

‘To do Strictly is every girl’s dream, isn’t it? The dresses, the glitter, the romance... I loved it right from the start, and began hunting around for local dance classes.

Soon I was dancing every week. I thought it would be tricky to learn all the different steps but as soon as the music begins, it’s like my feet have a life of their own.

So now all I needed was the dresses, but they cost thousands for the Strictly-style ones. Luckily, my family runs an interiors business, Nu-Drapes, a treasure trove of fabrics, buttons, ribbons and sequins, so I designed my own dresses.

I made the patterns, searched for the most gorgeous, light chiffons and organzas Mum stocked and began sewing. The fabrics are fragile to work with, but have the maximum swish factor.

After hours of hand-sewing and layering, I fully understand why the Strictly dresses cost so much. Making the dress fit perfectly while allowing you to dance freely isn’t easy. Finally, I stepped on to the dance floor wearing my own creation.

Soon everyone was enquiring about me making dresses for them. And now I can dance competitively in the dresses of mydreams – because I make them myself!’

Stacie’s fabrics come from nu-drapes.co.uk

‘I can’t keep away, dance has given me confidence’

CHRISTINA MULVIHILL, Deptford, London