Espen Salberg was born on March 28, 1952, in Oslo, Norway.
His father was a hairstylist and his mother worked as a stenographer. From a young age, he was captivated by fashion and glamour. One of his earliest memories is being backstage at one of his father’s hairdressing shows at the age of six. His father, a skilled hairstylist who competed in world hairdressing championships, worked on models with elaborate fantasy hairstyles in vibrant colors. Espen watched in awe as they rushed onto the catwalk and back again.
Early Dance Career
At the age of 10, Espen asked his parents if he could join a dance course for kids—marking the start of his journey. His first dance teacher, Charlotte Wilsgaart, taught him the basic principles of English Style dancing. Partnering with Kirsten Gran, he quickly showed promise and became the Norwegian Junior Champion.
Espen attended Hartvig Nissens School in his hometown, where he showcased his creative versatility. He was actively involved in theater productions and participated in the school chorus.
At around 18 years old, Espen’s dance partner retired, but shortly after, he was paired with Kirsten Slora. This partnership would lead to remarkable success.
Amateur Career
Espen and Kirsten Slora officially debuted as a dance couple in 1973. That year marked Espen’s first international competition. Their most notable performance was at the Savaria Championships in Szombathely, Hungary, on June 2, 1973, where they placed third in the Amateur Latin category.
The following year, they competed at the World Championships in Austria, securing seventh place in the final. While this was a respectable result by Norwegian standards, Espen and Kirsten were determined to aim even higher.
In 1974, the couple took a significant step in their personal and professional lives—Espen and Kirsten married in Oslo at Akershus Fortress and Kirsten took the name Salberg. Soon after, they moved to London, England, to further refine their skills.
Espen obtained a work permit and supported himself as a barber. He quickly mastered the craft, earning the title of “Apprentice” in a short time. With additional financial and moral support from their families, Espen and Kirsten were able to train under renowned dance teachers such as Walter Laird, Doris Lavelle, Lorraine Reynolds and Rudolf Trautz.
At the time, they competed in both Ballroom and Latin dance styles. In 1975, they finished third at the World Cup 10-Dance competition. The following year, in 1976, they won their first British Open Amateur Latin Championship and the World Latin Championship.
Professional Career
After concluding their amateur career, Espen and Kirsten returned to Norway to begin teaching while also competing professionally. Their debut in the professional category took place at the 1976 World Cup in Nuremberg, Germany, where they finished in fifth place.
They continued competing in Ballroom until 1977. By 1978, they had made significant progress in the Latin division, securing third place at the World Professional Latin Championships in Berlin, Germany.
In 1981, they claimed victory at the British Open Professional Latin competition and won gold at the European Championships in Helsinki, Finland. Their winning streak continued in 1982, as they triumphed at the UK Open, the British Open and the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan. In 1983, they once again won the World Professional Latin Championship and the UK Professional Latin Championship.
At the 1983 Blackpool Dance Festival, Espen and Kirsten Salberg announced their retirement from competitive dancing.
Awards
As the first-ever Norwegian World Latin American Dance Champion at the age of 23, Espen, along with Kirsten, received the prestigious Carl Alan Award for Outstanding Amateur Couple in 1980. The award was presented by HRH Prince Michael of Kent at The Lyceum Ballroom at The Strand and was televised by BBC One.
Espen was later honored with honorary membership in the Norwegian Dance Teachers Federation for his contributions to the dancesport in Norway.
Life After Competition
Following their retirement, Espen and Kirsten collaborated with their close friends Alan and Hazel Fletcher to create the “Latin Fantasy” show. Premiering in October 1985, the show toured internationally for several years, achieving great success.
In 1986, Espen returned to Oslo, where he and Kirsten opened a dance school in a spacious venue at Teglverk. Despite their divorce in 1993, they continued their professional collaboration and released several instructional dance videos.
Espen also established an annual international dance competition known as the “Espen Cup.”
Lecturer and Educator
For decades, Espen has been one of the most sought-after dance coaches and lecturers. He regularly speaks at prestigious congresses and mentors top Latin dancers worldwide.
In 2002, he produced and published a training guide for teachers and coaches in Japan.
Transition to Fashion Design
In 1993, Espen temporarily stepped away from the dance world and moved to Rome, Italy. At 40 years old, he pursued a new passion—fashion. He enrolled in a fashion academy, proving that it’s never too late to start something new.
Always an admirer of Italian designers, Espen gained invaluable insight into the fashion industry from the inside. He successfully combined his expertise in movement and dance with his love for design, which led him to create costumes for dancers. He later expanded into women’s fashion as well.
His deep understanding of movement and body dynamics allowed him to craft garments that accentuated the female form with elegance and precision.
In 2004, Espen designed the iconic purple dress worn by Jennifer Lopez in the film Shall We Dance.
In 2006, he served as a judge for one season on Ballando con le Stelle with Milly Carlucci on RAI 1 in Italy before relocating to Bali.
Expansion into Indonesia and Global Success
In 2007, Espen entered the Indonesian fashion market and relocated to Bali, where he found inspiration in the island’s rich culture. He became a judge on “Dancing with the Stars” in Indonesia, further bridging his expertise in dance and fashion.
In 2011, he launched his first fashion collection, designing and producing garments from Bali. In the autumn of 2012, he debuted a collection titled “Scent of a Woman” in Manhattan.
As his brand grew, he moved production to Hong Kong.
Espen Salberg remains a globally successful fashion designer. His creations continue to be admired worldwide under Espen Salberg Design and Espen Salberg Haute.
You are invited to listen to a very interesting podcast with Espen Salberg on Spotify - Barbara's Dance Room.
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