This ballroom costume by Alisa Mandel is an explosion of beauty and grace, that will have you dancing your best! Cobalt Combustion, a Rhythm Latin dress in shimmery shades of blue and black. Firstly, the dress is primarily a shiny metallic blue fabric. Secondly, a stretch black knit fabric drapes elegantly over the shiny blue. The dress is asymmetrical, with one sleeve being a thin blue strap, while the other is a flowy batwing in black. The black fabric gathers forming several cowls across the bodice. Furthermore, the skirt is made from the blue fabric. The dress features a flirty slant hem. Lastly, the dress has built-in bra cups and a bodysuit.

In ballroom, we love glitter, and this Alisa Mandel ballroom costume is an overachiever in that department! From the lustrous fabric to the sparkly top of the line crystals. Appliqués adorn the bust and left hip. The appliqués are entirely encrusted with prime crystals in various colors including Tangerine, Zircon, and AB. Similarly, iridescent crystals in shades of blue highlight the gathers on the black fabric. On the skirt, AB crystals and black sequins add even more shine to an already shiny fabric! Also, there is a neckpiece that matches the stunning appliqués used throughout the dress.

Metallic fabrics, originally referred to as “Cloth of Gold,” can be seen as far back as the 7th and 8th centuries. Glowing hues of gold and silver were used by the Byzantine empire to signify nobility and were reserved for only the most affluent. Although more accessible, today, these glittery fabrics still signify special occasions and offer luxury. On the runway, designers such as Elie Saab and Zuhair Murad, dazzle us collection after collection with their brilliant usage of such fabrics. This trend lends itself perfectly to the sparkly world of ballroom dance!