Thread: ISO Fabric to Match Zebra Paillette

The costume creation bug has finally hit again and I'm in the midst of 3!

Need some suggestions on fabric that would go with these babies (for the bra/belt base and a skirt)...
They're highly reflective so the bottom photo blue is actually the window pane reflection.





(I've also cross-referenced this post on the ISO swap).

These are wonderful!!! Where on earth did you find them? Leopard ones would be cool.

Oh, I can see these on a half-black, half-white costume with red accents....

Anyone else remember that dancer on the Slow Moves with Atea DVD who had a car-wash skirt with alternating black & white panels, and her bra was half-white, half-black? That was an awesome concept.

Surida,
My friends in Montréal have taken me to the most dangerous part of town: the fabric district!!! I found these there. Cartwright's has animal print and other printed sequins that you might find.

Lauren,
Oohlala! I think because of size issues I'm going to stick with uniformity and assymetry for this one with just 2 colors. I've always wanted a 1960s style straight up paillette bedlah with the full-on leg showing circle skirt.

I'm not sure if all black or all white would work. Perhaps as you suggested, the front panel of the skirt could have a column of one color in the middle and the back panel could have a column of one color. Too busy, though? These buggers are already going to be screamin' demons...

Hi Ahzia,
Those are very cool paillettes! I think I am having paillette envy...
You know red (as mentioned above) always goes with zebra, but I don't know if the zebra will really show up from any kind of distance, so maybe it doesn't matter, and go with any color, since you have a neutral there anyway. More zebra print? Why not? Add colored accents though, so no big game hunters in the audience think you might be mantle material. Since you like fabric (and who doesn't?), maybe you could even do some straight panels in african fabric, like mudcloth or kente, with colored harems? It will be fabulous whatever, and now I'm off to look for some of those great paillettes!
Oh, my suggestion for the bra/belt would be black pleather to really bring them out and make it more exotic?

I don't know why but I keep seeing red with these - red circle skirt - bra and belt covered with the pailettes. Wild chunky and fun version!

Or for more elegance - black and white - black or white velvet trumpet skirt gauntlets with peek-a-boo holes - black and white zebra pattern bra and belt using pailettes here and there in the fringe.

Makes me want to make one.

hmm... azhia.. crazy costumes... hmmm.... i would say red also, a bright crazy screaming red, if you are making a bra and belt full of these pailettes. if you could find a zebra print fabric that is sparkly then that would work as well and i dont think it would be too busy- if anyone can pull it off it would be you azhia!

YESSSS! Pailettes on black pleather ground bra/belt set, crazy screaming red skirt & accessories. That sounds great to me.

I can't quite tell from the photo if they're black and silver or black and gold. But, if they're silver like I think they are, how about a silver fabric? It might be too loud, but maybe you could find some black and silver zebra?

I would say black pleather base for the bra and belt and orange for the skirt. You know, the tiger thing. If you could find a black pleather with an animal texture, not a print, even cooler.

Turquoise or teal is lovely with zebra print. Lycra, rouched anything, it seems to calm the busy-ness of the print. Plus it's flattering on almost everyone.

Ooooh DAMN, I'm getting some good ideas from you all... Thank you!!

I'm really liking the pleather. Perhaps wet-look spandex or OR OR
L A T E X.

White skirt. White base. Super funky. Barbarella-esque.

No other colors, though. Except maybe some bright ass FUSCHIA lipstick (I'm not a red person) and bright pink flower in a beehive, a la Helena Vlahos (scroll to the bottom).

an all paillette bedlah would be awesome with these.

i'm thinking either turquoise or bright purple, mixed with a zebra print
very 80's but full of impact on stage

oh, a turquoise latex mermaid skirt hehe

yeah, paillette envy here too :p

I vote purple too, even though you said no more bright colors. What about purple pleather?

Originally Posted by Azhia

Surida,
My friends in Montréal have taken me to the most dangerous part of town: the fabric district!!! I found these there.

Heheheeeeee !

That part of town HAS been known to drive people crazy

Originally Posted by Mireille

Heheheeeeee !

That part of town HAS been known to drive people crazy

Yes. Everytime I go into the beadstore my head is about to explode. ,f::

Khari3, that's very true about not really seeing that the paillettes are zebra. I think since they'll end up looking generally darkish silvery black, that's why I wanted to go with a lighter colored base. I'm scrambling to find a latex seamstress... Or I'll go with wetlook spandex.

I might end up looking like car wash! ..l;,

I love the idea of the wet look too!

Could you use shiny Vinyl? Or is Vinyl the same thing as Latex?

Remember this brilliant costume from some time ago? Her website is:
Custom Costumes by Sheryl

Originally Posted by zot buffalo

Remember this brilliant costume from some time ago? Her website is:
Custom Costumes by Sheryl

Yes, I thought of this! Which is why I'm not going with a colored skirt; it's a great idea for that ensemble, so no repetition here...

Originally Posted by gothique

I love the idea of the wet look too!

Could you use shiny Vinyl? Or is Vinyl the same thing as Latex?

I believe vinyl would be thicker than latex, and it's often lined on the back. Latex would be straight up. The thought of it is driving me mad so I've been trying to inquire about latex seamstresses/designers. I had this WILD thought that if I wanted to have gauntlets, I would just paint them on. Here comes that fetish side...

I would check fetish/stripper supply websites and/or stores to see if I could find a bra already covered or a top that could be converted and probably a miniskirt that could be made into a belt.

Originally Posted by DeborahDances

I would check fetish/stripper supply websites and/or stores to see if I could find a bra already covered or a top that could be converted and probably a miniskirt that could be made into a belt.

I've got a line of inquiry to the dude here with whom I'm friends, he organizes the Montreal Fetish Ball. I'm sure he'd have a connection.

And I actually mean to get a full circle skirt in this white latex. Once I have an idea, I must birth it... ..c::

I love your vision Azhia - perfection!

These are great !!! Mabrouk !!!
Dont know but from your photos always I feel you have a ladylike style.
I would think chocolate brown with a clean cut way of making bra and skirt, if you would like to add some details of stones in brown also to mix with the palliets?

maria aya :)

I was thinking of the thin super shiny vinyl they used in raincoats, and clear tote bags. Probably be hard to find in black.
I hope you post photos when you're done!
:-)

Maybe this is a weird example, but here is the color scheme I was thinking of:
saffron orange and black
Although I love the white latex skirt idea; very Diana Riggs Avengers. Just remember the baby powder...

Originally Posted by jetgirl

Maybe this is a weird example, but here is the color scheme I was thinking of:
saffron orange and black
Although I love the white latex skirt idea; very Diana Riggs Avengers. Just remember the baby powder...

Heee...thanks, all. Very sweet of you Surida and Maria Aya ,r:;

Gothique~Yes, the shinier the better! The raincoat fabric might be too stiff. But I am after that shinyness. I keep thinking of Gary Oldman/Zorg's Jean Paul Gaultier black/white pinstripe coat in "The 5th Element". I know that was latex and I loved how it billowed out behind him.

Jet~I LOVE West Elm!! That colour scheme is nice. Hmmm...Perhaps a color-block Lichenstein-like 60s, Pucci inspired costume would be next. Thank you for reminding me about the baby powder. You can be assured I will not be attempting floor work with this skirt on (if I go with latex). ..l;,

In addition to this zebra baby I've got a Gustav Klimt/Art Deco/Japanese stationary knot on orange velvet ensemble in the works. *whew* when the bug hits, it hits hard.

I LOVE the costumes in that movie. Genius. I can't believe Gaultier didn't get even a nomination for an Oscar for that work.

Originally Posted by Azhia

But I am after that shinyness. I keep thinking of Gary Oldman/Zorg's Jean Paul Gaultier black/white pinstripe coat in "The 5th Element". I know that was latex and I loved how it billowed out behind him.

Originally Posted by kiyaana

I LOVE the costumes in that movie. Genius. I can't believe Gaultier didn't get even a nomination for an Oscar for that work.

Yeah...
I don't pay attention much to the Madonna bullet bra but the other designs for movies...He's brilliant!

One thing to keep in mind about latex or vinyl--you will sweat easily four times as much as you usually do, if not more. That stuff does not breathe, and since it's heavier than most fabrics, it won't lift a lot as you move either. This is the goth girl voice of clubbing experience talking