From her seven sequin-filled years lighting up the dancefloor on Strictly Come Dancing, it’s safe to assume Kristina Rihanoff knows a thing or two about beautiful dresses.

Kristina dazzled as she stepped out at the launch of her fashion range in collaboration with London-based designer Pia Michi. The professional dancer, 39, looked sensational as she displayed her toned frame in a canary yellow halter neck dress accompanied by Nadine Aysoy gold, diamond, and yellow beryl earrings.

Kristina’s friends including Lizzie Cundy, Michelle Heaton, Chloe-Jasmine Whichello came to support the star in stylish Pia Michi outfits. Among other celebs and VIP’s who came to support the professional dancer were Lady Colin Campbell, Zara Holland, Gillian McKeith, Afton McKeith, Tonia Buxton, Izzie Rothschild, Grace Levy, Stevi Richie, Michelle Collins, celebrity photographer Joe Alvarez, Tamara Orlova-Alvarez, Lee Latchford Evans, Kerry Lucy Taylor, Steven Jupp, Kay Jupp, Darren Charman, Olga Kravchenko as well as Ben Cohen among others.

Kristina Rihanoff about getting back to shape

The star revealed in a video interview with Mailonline how she relied on a mixture of yoga and dancing to tone up her figure following the birth of her daughter, Milena, in June last year. Showing off her lean figure in one of her own creations, Kristina revealed how she took her time returning to exercise following the birth of her first child.

She said: ‘It took some time but I did it the right, healthy way. I went back to yoga after pregnancy because I wanted to rebuild my core, my strength, before I went back into dancing, I wanted to get stronger. Yoga did that. I have been a fan of yoga for 18 years and I am a qualified yoga teacher. It is a combination of these things: yoga first, then dancing, and dieting – I went vegan as well. So, it is a bit of everything I think.’

Kristina also praised her supportive partner and said: ‘[Ben] is an incredibly hands-on dad and no doubt without him, I couldn’t do any of this.’

The celebrity dancer took to the stage during the event, encouraged with applause from the audience. Kristina told about the collaboration: ‘I’ve been a loyal fan of the brand for over 8 years. Pia Michi was the first brand I started wearing for red carpet events when I moved to the UK. I always got loads of compliments so I stayed with the brand. It’s my ‘go-to’ brand for any occasions. So, it is a natural progression to collaborate with Pia Michi. I am thrilled to be releasing my capsule collection for Fall/Winter 2017’.

She continued: ‘I wanted to create elegant, feminine and comfortable event gowns for women of different shapes and sizes. I am a big advocate for women to feel comfortable in their own skin, whatever size they are. I’m a size 10 and petit myself so these dresses are truly designed to make any woman feel and look beautiful. My collection is about elegance and confidence.’

Celebs and VIP’s were in good spirits as they mingled with glasses of champers and chatted the evening away. VIP’s were generously gifted by sponsors before the arrival of carriages.

Kristina Rihanoff and Pia Michi thank the sponsors of the event including Ikon London Media, Caviar Artisan, Walford-Richards Designs, The Swan Lobe, Sparkling Jewellery, Beaubronz, Jeunvie, Lissez Moi, Inanch London.

Photography by Joe Alvarez