The Inside Scoop on the new managing director at CHRISANNE, Fashion Trends & Blackpool 2005. An incredible interview with the young, beautiful, multi-faceted, inspirational and ambitious Malene van Hauen! What more can we say, read on...
Listen to this exclusive DanceScape Podcast featuring Malene van Hauen, incoming CHRISANNE Managing Director
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Congratulations on being promoted as the Managing Director for CHRISANNE, the largest dance couture company in the world. Could you please share with us what the journey has been like for you at CHRISANNE over the past nine years?
It has been very exciting! It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster, obviously. I originally joined CHRISANNE in the Marketing Department as Marketing Manager. I’ve been part of shaping what we have been doing and moving forward ever since then as well as since I joined the Board about four years ago, which brings us to where we now find ourselves at this point here.
You have also been successful as a former dance professional and Blackpool finalist.
That’s how I got to know about CHRISANNE in the first place. My husband and I moved from Denmark to London to pursue our dancing. I then actually started working for CHRISANNE helping cut out fabrics and preparing orders. I managed to attend University and CHRISANNE was kind enough to sponsor me, which was how I maintained contact with them. It allowed me to pursue my dancing and education. After that is when I returned to start in the Marketing Department.
What aspects of your personality do you think have made you successful both in your dance career as well as in your career at CHRISANNE?
Well, that’s a very interesting question. I think that dancers, in general, if they decide to go into business, can be very successful. Through dancing you learn about focus, hard work, determination and stamina. These are all things that will keep you in good standing if you move into another profession. I think all those things actually made me successful in both areas. I’ve always been very focused and clear on what I’ve wanted and have always worked very hard at my balancing. We weren’t the most talented dancers ever, but we worked very very hard at our dancing. If there is something that I set out to achieve, I’ll make it happen.
What will your responsibilities consist of as the new Managing Director of CHRISANNE? Will this role differ from the role of the former Managing Director, Peter Dobner?
It will differ from the point that Peter and I are very different people. We worked great together and we worked together for many years. How we approach things are essentially different. We have different ways of attacking problems and we do things differently, but the actual direction of CHRISANNE won’t change, because we’ve been part of shaping that together for a long time anyway, so I am certainly not going to change that, but how I approach the job and what I bring will be different. I come from possibly a more creative viewpoint than Peter does and this is something that I will bring to the table. Peter’s responsibilities, in terms of leaving the company and looking after the direction of the ship as the people we have onboard, would be the same for anybody, and will be the same for me. However, in terms of the team that I am leading I will bring different things myself, than Peter would have.
What is your vision with CHRISANNE? Or are there any specific elements that you are focusing on incorporating now that you are the Managing Director?
I will officially be taking over as of September 1, 2005. I had my first child in January, so between April and September is the handover period between Peter and I. We want the transition to be smooth for both our customers and employees. It’s been a long journey and this is just another step along the journey. It is not a rupture or change in direction and I feel it is important that we continue the essence of CHRISANNE as a fun and enjoyable place for people to work. That is what is really important to me. To the outside world, we want to minimize disruption to people because there is no need for this to create problems for anyone.
What was the transition like for you when you retired form professional dancing?
It was smooth in that I worked for CHRISANNE while I was competing. Towards the end of my career as a professional dancer I worked less at CHRISANNE and concentrated more on my dancing. I knew that both Ken and I did not want to end up as dance teachers, it was not our career goal and it never was through all the years that we competed. When I retired from dancing and moved into a full-time business career, it made the transition very easy because it was something I was always looking forward to doing and was something that I had always wanted.
I actually never missed the dancing and competition, I guess because I had done it for a long time and was ready to finish what I did. While I was in it, I gave it my all and when I finished I started doing something that I really enjoyed both then and now, so there was something straight away to get my teeth into, as well as, something that appealed to my competitive side. I never felt that I had to let go, it was always a question of me moving on.
Do you still find time for dancing?
No, I don’t anymore. I go to events to watch dancing and have a lot of interaction with our dancers through work, which is fantastic. In terms of dancing, I am a bit of a perfectionist and once we had given up dancing and to go back into it just a little bit, without achieving anything wouldn’t make me enjoy it as much. So, no, I couldn’t go back into it. I am happy with how we ended it.
What words of advice would you give to up and coming dancers who are looking to pursue a career in dance?
It’s difficult actually, because dancing is so challenging already, so for people to have a focus outside of competitive dancing is really tough; it was tough when I was competing, and it is even tougher today. I think it’s a question of realizing that life after dancing does not mean that you are dead because there are other things to fill your life with and do. Keep your eyes and ears open for other opportunities that come along, especially when dancers these days travel extensively they come in contact with so many different people. It’s about learning and trying to absorb skills on that journey that you can use later on. Dancing gives you an important set of skills in terms of dealing with people, problem solving, teamwork, all those sorts of things that others spend lots of money on learning at Management training courses. You can really learn this through your dancing. So, learn from those experiences and apply them to other areas of your life.
FASHION TRENDS IN DANCE
How would you describe your fashion style when you were dancing?
I was very dramatic. I think I liked it simple, but dramatic with a lot of impact. I was shorter than my partner at the time so I was always looking for something that was loud and large.
What are some new trends that you have noticed on the dance floor in fashion this year?
One thing has evolved in dance fashion is becoming more individual over the past couple of years, which is fantastic for the pride of the industry and for dancers. When I started you had to wear one look, one style and some choice of colours. Everyone wore a similar dress and it was very rigid. Enriching fashion from a creative viewpoint has taken place because one style doesn’t suit everybody, so we now have bigger diversity in terms of look and colour. I believe people can wear any colour nothing too light or too dark should intimidate you. You can now dress to express your personality but to also enhance your partnership personality or your body shape. There is not one fashion direction, there are several.
What fashion advice do you have for professional and amateur dancers?
Take it seriously. While dancing is what is being judged, you can never underestimate how important a first impression is to look after you image – from hair to makeup to shoes, make sure shoes are clean and that hair won’t come down half way through competition. Make sure dress is as beautiful as you can afford, make sure you have all the things that you can do – dancing can never be perfect, but your appearance can be, so make sure it is. They are the easy parts to score on.
How much input will you have in designing or approving costume designs at CHRISANNE?
The route I have taken has moved me from Marketing to Product Development, which has allowed me for the past couple of years to develop product from the dress and fabric side. I have not for a long time been involved in individual specific decisions as the company is too large for me to do that and also we have specialized and talented people who we have do that already. I will continue to have involvement in the overall direction of how the product is developing, but not on a fabric by fabric basis and more in terms of the overall look and direction.
What is your opinion on Heel Protectors being worn in competitions?
I personally do not find them that attractive, but I can understand why one does it. Heels can be slippery if the girl has polish on it. Heel protector gives more friction on the heel so you don’t slip. I agree it is not attractive, but I can understand why people do it from a performance point of view. I don’t object to them. I do object to clear cellophane that people wrap around their feet to keep their shoes on. I think that is unacceptable.
A DANCER'S BIOGRAPHY
Congratulations on your new baby! Did you care to share any information with your dance fans? It's a girl! She was born in beginning of January and ever since then, my life has consisted of a whole different experience. It is one that I found hard to imagine before and now it is hard to imagine my life without it.
When and where were you born, Malene? Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1971.
What was your dream as a child?
You’re not going to believe this because it is so corny, but from age 7 all I wanted to do was dance. You can ask my mother how true it is. I used to watch tv and tell everyone "That’s going to be me one day!" I knew that’s what I wanted.
How long have you been dancing for?
Over 20 years, from the age of 7 to 30 years old.
What was one of your most memorable and rewarding dance experiences to date?
There have been so many. My husband and I both feel so lucky and blessed to have had such fantastic experiences, results and to have been able to travel and meet so many wonderful people. One memory that clearly comes to mind is when we made the Youth final in Blackpool and making our first major finals in 1991. I remember clearly looking across the floor at Bill Irvine on the stage - that was very special. Also, when we retired in Denmark at the Championships several thousands of people filled the ballroom and we were very grateful that they came.
When was the first time you met your husband, Ken, and could you please describe what your first experience dancing together was like?
I knew him before we danced together, since in Copenhagen the dance scene is small, everybody knew everybody. I remember the first time I saw him, I thought he looked like a complete idiot actually (laugh)! He was doing a beautiful Paso Doble dancing around on his own and I just thought "Oh my goodness what a geek!" Then of course two years later we started dancing together and it felt great right away we fell in love and it was fancy.
How would you describe the expression you had as a couple when you performed?
We were quite powerful. We were a tall couple with a lot of energy. We were also a bit too stiff at times.
Do you have any advice for other dancers and their partners?
Be true to yourself. At the end of the day you have to live with the decisions you make. Listen to advice and what people have to say but be sure that when you look back you can say that you truly gave it your all and did what you wanted to do and not what other people wanted you to do.
ALL EYES ON BLACKPOOL 2005
Will you be attending Blackpool this year?
Absolutely.
What are you looking forward to most while attending?
The dancing a whole lot. Since the birth of baby I missed the UK Champioinships and the Heritage Classic this year, which I normally attend. I am really looking forward to seeing action on the dance floor.
Will your perspective or arrangements change at Blackpool now that you are the Managing Director of CHRISANNE?
Slightly. I will still spend my time speaking to clients, discussing and meeting with customers, finding out their needs and I will continue to do so. I will likely get involved with some of the ties that I wouldn’t deal with in the past just to ensure the overview from my perspective. Not a huge change.
What dress will CHRISANNE be giving away this year at Blackpool?
It is absolutely beautiful! We just recently finished it. We give it away with Swarovski since our relationship with them has intensified to becoming their third partner in the dancing industry, which is something that we are very proud of. The dress is beautiful! It is still covered in stones but in a really really interesting colour combination this year and one of our very new fabrics "Sienna" is in the skirt. It will appeal to a lot of people and certainly will be the most glamorous one so far!
Which dancers do you believe stand a strong chance at Blackpool this year?
I am rooting for everybody, of course. The wonderful thing about my position now that I am not involved with the judging perspective anymore allows me to really look at it from purely an enjoyment point of view. I think particularly that the Professional Ballroom will be a fantastic event. Timothy Howson and Joanne Bolton will start the comp as favourites since they have one every competition for the last year. They stand a strong chance of winning and I really look forward to seeing them. Other couples that have a chance of making it there, will be there with one or two dances in the finals. That’s one thing about Blackpool is that you see the results of individual dances and the overall result which is great for dancers because it’s so flexible that you can make it in one dance and not the other, as well, this is a fantastic experience for audience. I don’t think there will be any major upsets and I think we can expect to see a lot of great and original dances from everybody. Very fancy I think.
Do you have any advice for dancers preparing to attend, or aspiring to attend, Blackpool?
Go to Blackpool. I know there are lots of other fantastic events around the world, but Blackpool is just a fantastic experience because you can really feel the champions around you and their spirits.
Also, practice makes perfect. It is one of those things that you have to prepare well for because you cannot fake it. So, be persistent with your hard work and then it will happen.
FUN FACTS ABOUT MALENE
Favourite Food: Fish and Seafood – being Danish it’s not a big surprise!
Favourite Colour: Black if I am wearing it because it works well for travelling and other unexpected events. But, I also like blue.
Favourite Quote: I don’t actually have one, but I do believe it is important to be honest with yourself and if there’s something you want, then go for it.
Favourite Place to Visit: Denmark to visit family. My husband and I love Copenhagen. That’s where I go to recharge my batteries.
Shoe Size: 4.5 in UK shoe size.
If you could only have one of your senses, which would it be: taste, touch, smell, sound, or sight? Why? Touch because I couldn’t imagine being without physical contact, even though I am a visual person, if I could not connect with people physically, then I would find it very hard to function.
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