Who are we kidding? - Page 3

Amulya · 08-13-2008, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aniseteph

I saw a pic on eBay the other day and had exactly the same thought - why would you want people to think all that was bare flesh anyway? OK the design of the dress needed something structurally there to hold it together, but all that "nude"? We know it isn't really nude, what's your point? Tooooo much.

I don't know if there is mesh in this one, but what is the point of these cut outs, this costume would actually look better without them:

lizaj · 08-13-2008, 10:51 AM

Thanks for the responses. I am especially interested in the background to the modesty "bodies" in Egypt and if some one would point me to sources for this, I'd love to put the info in our magazine.
another issue is just how and why we have the cut outs?
My "kidding" comment refers to what illusion we are trying to create or what are we hiding? So mesh can be revealing or it can be used for modesty's sake or to cover imperfections. mmmmmm
Why do you use it?

Amulya · 08-17-2008, 10:28 AM

Personally I'd rather hide imperfections then cover them with mesh. You can still wear a beautiful costume even if it is complete coverage. I saw dancers in full dresses and they looked good in them. Why do we always have to have reveiling costumes?

jenc · 08-17-2008, 02:23 PM

well I always look better in a skrit and top in everyday life as then they will both fit. admittedly, I wouldn't show my belly under any circs!!
a former teacher had new dress from cairo in blue with blue mesh middle which looked rather nice and less revealing than nude mesh

Aisha Azar · 08-17-2008, 02:28 PM

Dear Gang,
There is nothing wrong with either tastefully revealing costumes or very modest ones. It is often about the taste of the wearer. Hopefully dancers would have the savvy to know what will best enhance their dancing.
It really depends on what shape our bodies are in and what we like. I have seen women wear "modest" costumes that look very incredibly dumpy. A dark colored, drab, long sleeved leotard with a bra that is hanging down to the belly button and a belt that is up around the waist and a full skirt out of bulky black satin are not an attractive look, no matter what your body shape is. Neither is a big, tenty looking garment that doesn't show the movement of the dance at all.
On the other hand, sometimes a skimpy costume on the right dancer looks absolutely wonderful, and yes, downright sexy. I see nothing wrong with sexy at all. (I do see something wrong with sleazy.)
I adore well placed cutouts with mesh in the right places. I see nothing wrong with a great, good fitting body stocking. I have seen a costume that was not much more than strips of wonderful fabrics well placed and draped by an expert that was one of the most beautiful costumes I have seen. It is owned by Liza Laziza and made by Hallah Moustafa. Go to Hallah's site and check it out. It is Liza's first costume in the dancer's gallery. It's called "4th of July" because it is like fireworks on stage. In all honesty I do have to add that Hallah was the top of her class in draping at design school.
Regards,
A'isha

da Sage · 08-17-2008, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amulya

I don't know if there is mesh in this one, but what is the point of these cut outs, this costume would actually look better without them:

I have seen that exact style look fabulous on a dancer with a different figure. At first I was like "OMG cutouts!", but then I reminded myself it was a performance costume, not an evening dress.

da Sage · 08-17-2008, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aisha Azar

I adore well placed cutouts with mesh in the right places. I see nothing wrong with a great, good fitting body stocking. I have seen a costume that was not much more than strips of wonderful fabrics well placed and draped by an expert that was one of the most beautiful costumes I have seen. It is owned by Liza Laziza and made by Hallah Moustafa. Go to Hallah's site and check it out. It is Liza's first costume in the dancer's gallery. It's called "4th of July" because it is like fireworks on stage. In all honesty I do have to add that Hallah was the top of her class in draping at design school.
Regards,
A'isha

Right here:

Hallah Moustafa - Custom Costumes for Belly Dancers & more.

Ooooh, Hallah made Sonia's paisley costume. I love that one!

And I love Adore's gold (wish I could wear gold). And how about that silver thunderstorm in the middle of the page!

Aisha Azar · 08-17-2008, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by da Sage

Right here:

Hallah Moustafa - Custom Costumes for Belly Dancers & more.

Ooooh, Hallah made Sonia's paisley costume. I love that one!

And I love Adore's gold (wish I could wear gold). And how about that silver thunderstorm in the middle of the page!

Dear da Sage,
I have known Hallah for about 25 years and she has always had a really great way of looking at costumes. When she lived here we were the closest of friends and I have immense respect for her talent. I consider her to be an absolute genius! I spent two weeks with her in April (She lives in Cairo now), and she has customers all over the world. Her work is wonderful and inventive. She often utilizes things in her costumes that no one else even thinks about!!
Regards,
A'isha

lizaj · 08-17-2008, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aisha Azar

Dear da Sage,
I have known Hallah for about 25 years and she has always had a really great way of looking at costumes. When she lived here we were the closest of friends and I have immense respect for her talent. I consider her to be an absolute genius! I spent two weeks with her in April (She lives in Cairo now), and she has customers all over the world. Her work is wonderful and inventive. She often utilizes things in her costumes that no one else even thinks about!!
Regards,
A'isha

Fabulous stuff. I love the fireworks..that's a wonderful use of mesh for a stunning effect. And that red costume mmmm...

Phoebedances · 08-17-2008, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amulya

I don't know if there is mesh in this one, but what is the point of these cut outs, this costume would actually look better without them:

I've seen those type of costumes before, almost exact costume in fact, but on a more slender dancer. I still thought it looked way tacky. I think it's just too much with the cut-outs.. just way too much going on, that it's not a good design anymore. Maybe with cutouts just down one side and a little on the stomach or something, I'd like it more.

08-17-2008, 10:28 AM	#23 (permalink)
Amulya Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Byron Bay, Australia Posts: 920	Personally I'd rather hide imperfections then cover them with mesh. You can still wear a beautiful costume even if it is complete coverage. I saw dancers in full dresses and they looked good in them. Why do we always have to have reveiling costumes? __________________ Blog: What Were They Thinking?

08-17-2008, 02:28 PM	#25 (permalink)
Aisha Azar V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest USA Posts: 4,464	Mesh Dear Gang, There is nothing wrong with either tastefully revealing costumes or very modest ones. It is often about the taste of the wearer. Hopefully dancers would have the savvy to know what will best enhance their dancing. It really depends on what shape our bodies are in and what we like. I have seen women wear "modest" costumes that look very incredibly dumpy. A dark colored, drab, long sleeved leotard with a bra that is hanging down to the belly button and a belt that is up around the waist and a full skirt out of bulky black satin are not an attractive look, no matter what your body shape is. Neither is a big, tenty looking garment that doesn't show the movement of the dance at all. On the other hand, sometimes a skimpy costume on the right dancer looks absolutely wonderful, and yes, downright sexy. I see nothing wrong with sexy at all. (I do see something wrong with sleazy.) I adore well placed cutouts with mesh in the right places. I see nothing wrong with a great, good fitting body stocking. I have seen a costume that was not much more than strips of wonderful fabrics well placed and draped by an expert that was one of the most beautiful costumes I have seen. It is owned by Liza Laziza and made by Hallah Moustafa. Go to Hallah's site and check it out. It is Liza's first costume in the dancer's gallery. It's called "4th of July" because it is like fireworks on stage. In all honesty I do have to add that Hallah was the top of her class in draping at design school. Regards, A'isha

08-13-2008, 10:51 AM	#22 (permalink)
lizaj Moderator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK Posts: 1,241	Thanks for the responses. I am especially interested in the background to the modesty "bodies" in Egypt and if some one would point me to sources for this, I'd love to put the info in our magazine. another issue is just how and why we have the cut outs? My "kidding" comment refers to what illusion we are trying to create or what are we hiding? So mesh can be revealing or it can be used for modesty's sake or to cover imperfections. mmmmmm Why do you use it?

08-17-2008, 02:23 PM	#24 (permalink)
jenc V.I.P. Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Colchester UK Posts: 1,029	well I always look better in a skrit and top in everyday life as then they will both fit. admittedly, I wouldn't show my belly under any circs!! a former teacher had new dress from cairo in blue with blue mesh middle which looked rather nice and less revealing than nude mesh