Thread: who is Noussa?

I have been seeing so many great costumes on the board lately, marked "Noussa"... does this designer have a website? I would love to see more of her work!

Can you order from her directly, or how are people finding these costumes??

i believe she's an egyptian designer. voula really likes her stuff, maybe she'll chime in!

yay! a response. yup, I had figured she was egyptian from the styles.

actually, isn't voula the dancer who seems to have a warhouse full of her designs? some of them are truly mouthwatering. I do hope she chimes in.

I do not think she has a website.

I believe her costumes are mainly sold at Mahmoud's in Cairo. That is where I have gotten the ones that I have owned.

Her designs are great and REALLY well beaded.

She works for Mahmoud and is his primary designer of full costumes. She doesn't just do bras and belts - that's a different designer. She does full sets. She is a cute woman in her forties who is pretty jolly and knows her stuff! She takes your measurements mainly by touching you. Crazy! She told me her house looks like a costume explosion and she has a number of the best beaders working for her. The main attraction to her stuff is that it has a superior fit - particularly the bras. And her costumes are extremely sturdy!!!!!!! Nothing ever falls off! She has a nice 3d effect to her beadwork and it very opulent. Like a Bella you can tell it is one of her designs from a mile away. She doesn't have a website =( My advice is to go to Cairo and tell Mahmoud you want Noussa to do a bunch of costumes for you. She will ship them and they will fit! They are cheaper directly from her.

Originally Posted by lotus

yay! a response. yup, I had figured she was egyptian from the styles.

actually, isn't voula the dancer who seems to have a warhouse full of her designs? some of them are truly mouthwatering. I do hope she chimes in.

..l;,warehouse might not be to far from the truth!

Ok ladies....here I am!!!!!LOL!!!!

Yes, I LOVE LOVE LOVE Noussa's work. I have a closet(s) full of her costumes. What Eshta said above is basically her profile.....she does work for Mahmoud and yes you can request to have an appointment with her if you are in Cairo. It is TOTALLY CRAAAAAAAZY how she measures you with her hands and when the costume is finished it fits like a dream!!! I am one of the fortunate ones who get to go to her home; I sit with her for hours and we custome design each one of my costumes.....style, colour, fabric etc....

She is a sweetheart....a very humble and modest lady. She likes to keep a very low profile.....I don't really understand why though-with her talents, she is sitting on a goldmine. She has made it very clear to me that I am not to give out her personal contact info....she would rather be found at Mahmoud's. She doesn't like to get involved in the big festivals that take part in Cairo....in fact (oh, I probably shouldn't say this...) she doesn't want like a million dancers invading her home (her words, not mine). I also know that she likes having a small amount of loyal customers who make big purchases instead of many customers who only buy like 1 from her (again, her words, not mine!!!)

It has crossed my mind many times to propose the idea to her of me vending her costumes. Really, it's a pain in the ass even trying to get rid of my used ones, my impulse buys, and the costumes that I designed but just didn't turn out the way I wanted them (well, they turned out exactly how I/we designed them....they just didn't look as good on me as I imagined....LOL) Personally, even if I did ask her, I don't think she would dig the idea....it's just not her to mass produce the way other notables have. Many people have been inquiring and asking how they could get their hands on her stuff.....no she does not have a website (that I know of) so maybe I should call her and see what she has to say about it.......hmmmmmmmmmm......I have a feeling I will get a la'a la'a la'a khalas!!!!!!

Even though Nousa has her work in Mahmoud Gaffars she does work for individual dancers.

I have her costume on my gallery - the black/silver costume, 1st and 4th row.

There is more information on my website on my articles page.

She is also the daughter-in-law of the late Madame Abla!

Originally Posted by vouladance

Personally, even if I did ask her, I don't think she would dig the idea....it's just not her to mass produce the way other notables have. Many people have been inquiring and asking how they could get their hands on her stuff.....no she does not have a website (that I know of) so maybe I should call her and see what she has to say about it.......hmmmmmmmmmm......I have a feeling I will get a la'a la'a la'a khalas!!!!!!

that last line - LOL!!! you are priceless Voula!

Originally Posted by dujah

She is also the daughter-in-law of the late Madame Abla!

that makes sense, I can see the influence.

I'd love to order another costume from her. But I am not sure when I'd be in cairo again. I'd sure like to know how I could order from her.

In Egypt people that have cottage industries often try to stay under the radar of the tax authorities.

Hey guys! Where is Mahmoud's in Cairo? I'd like to see if I can get an appointment!

I have just purchased two costumes by her from Brighton Orient here in the UK and they are stunning! The bead work is superb and they are beautifully finished - I cannot wait to wear them!

Originally Posted by dancingrrrlz

In Egypt people that have cottage industries often try to stay under the radar of the tax authorities.

I know! But I keep hearing about people ordering from her. I'd be a repeat customer and would just like to order more.

Originally Posted by eshtabellydance

I know! But I keep hearing about people ordering from her. I'd be a repeat customer and would just like to order more.

I am so pleased that I am able to buy from someone who plans to regularly stock her work. A couple of friends had told me just what good quality it is and they weren't kidding, so I can understand why you want to order more! ..g.: I could quite easily have spent twice as much as I did - just as well that hubby was there to rein me in!

Anyone interested in a blue and silver costume for $325? I believe it is a Noussa. Not 100% sure but almost certain now. Search the forum with my username to see pics and details. Or you can e-mail me at erikaveilsdance@yahoo.com