A Costumed Affair

I recently had fun reworking an older costume, adding more...

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:00:44 -0400

I recently had fun reworking an older costume, adding more beading and changing the beaded drapes. Dancer is Saideh

Photos are by Gina Simons Photography and The Dancers Eye respectively, both are v talented photographers based out of St Louis

One can see here how the older bellydance fashions influenced...

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:02:05 -0400

One can see here how the older bellydance fashions influenced the newer! That coin bra would be super classy on any ATS dancer!

thegypsykiss:

Please, gimme these pants.

uzam:

Aida, Bal Anat

Aida performing a solo in Jamila Salimpour’s Bal Anat troupe in the early 1970’s.

Gorgeous. Look at the colours and detail! omgthatdress: Karl...

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 12:16:54 -0400

Gorgeous. Look at the colours and detail!

omgthatdress:

Karl & Marie Berthold brooch ca. 1918 via Tadema Gallery

Working on relearning the choreography to this song that Mahmoud...

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 12:33:00 -0400

Working on relearning the choreography to this song that Mahmoud Reda taught last summer. Will be performing it in late July!

Wonderful song, it goes through different regions of Egypt as though the singer were traveling and asking folks “Ahsan Nas?” Where are you from? in order to make conversation. The dance reflects this, moving through various regional styles all with Master Reda’s signature stylization.

The goddess of the screen, Theda Bara. retrogasm: Theda Bara

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 22:15:33 -0400

The goddess of the screen, Theda Bara.

retrogasm:

Theda Bara

Buying Corsetry [Part One]

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:45:01 -0400

One of my favourite places to buy corsetry is a Gothic clothing site called HeavyRed.com. They’re well made, beautiful, suitable for waist-training and tightlacing, and (best of all!) well priced.

They carry two main styles with variations upon them-

-Underbust/Waist-cincher:

These are my favourite from Heavy Red. I actually own the above corset but in a deep blue. Have been wearing it and abusing it for years. They have also been coming out with many new underbust designs that work well with steampunk and other everyday outfits as well as many new fabric options.

-Overbust:

I own one Heavy Red overbust and holy sparkling goats it is beautiful! My only complaint is that they are not as well designed for curves as the waist cinchers. There’s not a whole lot of bust room built in (although this may be improving based on the photos I’ve seen) and the waist does not come in as dramatically as it would in a waist cincher— an adaptation often necessitated by society today and its lack of regular corset wearing!

Overall I highly recommend HeavyRed, they’re wonderful to buy from and very well priced in their corsetry section.

This is a fabulous tutorial for making diy steampunk belts...

Tue, 24 May 2011 23:30:06 -0400

This is a fabulous tutorial for making diy steampunk belts whether you’re going to dance in them or just wear them for show. I watched this a while back and have built a few belts based on this concept. My only advice is not to make it quickly. I find that the belt will be more rad (and more uniquely personal) if you slowly build up the pieces and chains that you’re going to use rather than buying it all on a whim at your local craft store. Good luck and happy crafting!

I have no idea of the source but this definitely looks like an...

Tue, 24 May 2011 10:06:47 -0400

I have no idea of the source but this definitely looks like an older dance costume to me, can’t place the decade. Would love to dance in it myself, it is very elegant and with lovely lines.

A goddess of costuming and dance. Mata Hari, 1910

Sat, 14 May 2011 18:24:57 -0400

A goddess of costuming and dance.

Mata Hari, 1910

This turban is a lovely example of orientalism, an obsession...

Wed, 04 May 2011 20:39:08 -0400

This turban is a lovely example of orientalism, an obsession with the middle east and its representation in fashion, especially prominent in the late Victorian Era and coming back into vogue! Saw a tuban-esque piece the other day in a shop.

The butterfly is kind of cliche but I LOVE the fusion of classic...

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:25:24 -0400

The butterfly is kind of cliche but I LOVE the fusion of classic and modern as well as the asymmetry!

(Costume by Hoda— and is priced like it, for sale at Dahlal.com)

Ohhh all the fun things I could do with these pretties…

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 11:20:06 -0400

Ohhh all the fun things I could do with these pretties…

Not strictly costume related but a beautiful way to keep long...

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:40:05 -0400

Not strictly costume related but a beautiful way to keep long hair out of the way.

thegypsykiss:

SawEET (and finally - simple) tutorial for creating a fishtail braid.

The Evolution of the Bustle (in the 1870s and 1880s) Note also...

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:20:06 -0400

The Evolution of the Bustle (in the 1870s and 1880s)

Note also the changes in hairstyle and bust silhouette! Granted, these would have varied more among the populace and fashion-conscious than bustles would have.

"If the cut of the costume indicates intellect and talent, then the color indicates temper and heart."

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:58:00 -0400

“If the cut of the costume indicates intellect and talent, then the color indicates temper and heart.”

- Thomas Carlyle

From a favourite corsetry site- a mask to die for. Would look...

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 20:18:00 -0400

From a favourite corsetry site- a mask to die for. Would look lovely with a deep jewel-tone satin gown, no?

Fake eyelashes make every costume better!! I often use very...

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 11:47:39 -0400

Fake eyelashes make every costume better!!

I often use very “cheap” ones that I buy at the drugstore when I want a funkier style but spring for more expensive brands when looking for plain, luscious lashes.

thegypsykiss: Freaking awesome.

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 23:14:51 -0400

thegypsykiss:

Freaking awesome.

Hmmm, I don’t see a date, but I’m going to guess...

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 11:32:19 -0400

Hmmm, I don’t see a date, but I’m going to guess right around 1900?

Absolutely beautiful. When I have extra pennies, I will be purchasing something similar for tightlacing.

I’ve been in a really Art Deco mood...

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 12:13:31 -0400

I’ve been in a really Art Deco mood recently…

thegypsykiss:

This is the newest headband - very art deco ’20s, but with a more complicated tribal flavor. Enjoy the preview - it’ll be in the shop super soon!