Thread: Costumes for us Luxury Models...Can We Talk?

Welcome to my world.....You need (waving my super duper magic wand here) to make people focus their attention on one side of you instead of the front of you. That is the problem with the v-belts. I would do a flared skirt with a ruched/gathered side and a long slit. Makes you look like you are slimmer because the attention is on the front side instead of head on. And an asymmetrical bra with strap or something crossing the tummy and meeting up with the slit on the opposite side. The slit side should be the leg you work the most with so that's where all the action is. So the eye comes from the head down to the asymmetrical boob across the tummy and down to the hip. It makes the eye work harder thus not focusing on one thing like a big flaw you are trying to cover up. And wow them with some extra bling right the hip. Everybody should be torn between the great dancing and wondering how she got such a stunning costume.
It's like when that dog whisperer guy teaches dog walking. You gotta keep their minds active. Distract them with sparklies and a well placed design.

Originally Posted by zumarrad

Ooh, maybe I could wear it then. But I have very long legs and a short torso, and low-slung decorations/deep-fronted belts are a problem for me - I suspect those motifs would get in the way of lifting my legs. Just as well it is NOT mine!!!!

Hey! I called dibs! LOL!

Eshta -

Thanks for the advice! Do you have any examples of the type of costume you mean? The most flattering one I've had is the one at the main page on my site with the waist straps, which is the last style I'd have thought would look good on me.

Originally Posted by BreaMorgiane

Eshta -

Thanks for the advice! Do you have any examples of the type of costume you mean? The most flattering one I've had is the one at the main page on my site with the waist straps, which is the last style I'd have thought would look good on me.

Yep the one on your front page is the best for sure =)

Originally Posted by BreaMorgiane

Eshta -

Thanks for the advice! Do you have any examples of the type of costume you mean? The most flattering one I've had is the one at the main page on my site with the waist straps, which is the last style I'd have thought would look good on me.

Heyyy, when did you have that taken? That's smokin'!!

Aww, thanks Taj and Eshta!!! *blushes*

It was taken with my last batch of pro photos, and is definitely the best of the lot! That costume fits me so well; I got it off of Bhuz. I wish I had a closet full of costumes that looked that good on me! I actually like the looped fringe a lot better than the straight-hanging-down style.

Originally Posted by kiyaana

I love it! It will look so good on you!!!!!!

Oh, I'm so glad you think so! "Herself" tried to veto it as unflattering before I even admitted I was planning to buy it, but I think she's wrong. We shall see.

Anala, didn't I tell you why I needed to find the Mae West Dress a new home? *bats eyes*
I hope you're still enjoying her, and I found that missing sleeve!

I havent had time to pay any attention to her ;-( ....I had to whip up a bra / belt base to hang the ubiquitous coin and mirror set off of for a Doug Adams and Light Rain show. Needed AmCab Drag in a hurry. It turned out well and it was my first attempt at scratch!

Sleeve!!!!!

Lisajuk - Love those eman pics. That yellow one is dreamy! Are those custom?

Here is my first dress and my favorite costume. I would love to find more flattering dresses!! I added the fabric insert into the leg and added a band of fabric to the top of the bra cups for more coverage. This is a Joharah dress and I emailed a picture I bought it from who is very close friends with Joharah and she said she would pass it on, secretly I am hoping that maybe, just maybe, it might help future dress creations to be made in larger sizes! We do look smashing in our costumes don't we ladies! Now if only the designers would just figure that out

:) Heather

I'm not Liz, but the Emans -- the yellow two-piece and the soon-to-be-mine green dress -- are off the rack from Kay at Farida Dance in the UK. She seems to make a real effort to stock flattering costumes for larger ladies, and many of them are available in custom versions as well.
Goddess Creations

The two-tone lycra Eman with the wide V neck is a really nice cut, too. I don't think Kay has photos up that show the back, but there's a tall gore in the back that gives it a beautiful fishtail swish. You may be able to tell a bit from these:
http://www.bhuz.com/index.php?cmd=/p...Zana/id_14973/
http://www.bhuz.com/index.php?cmd=/p...Zana/id_14974/
(This is a slightly modified version with more coverage added at the neckline. Fun to dance in!)

Originally Posted by Zana

I'm not Liz, but the Emans -- the yellow two-piece and the soon-to-be-mine green dress -- are off the rack from Kay at Farida Dance in the UK. She seems to make a real effort to stock flattering costumes for larger ladies, and many of them are available in custom versions as well.
Goddess Creations

The two-tone lycra Eman with the wide V neck is a really nice cut, too. I don't think Kay has photos up that show the back, but there's a tall gore in the back that gives it a beautiful fishtail swish. You may be able to tell a bit from these:
http://www.bhuz.com/index.php?cmd=/p...Zana/id_14973/
http://www.bhuz.com/index.php?cmd=/p...Zana/id_14974/
(This is a slightly modified version with more coverage added at the neckline. Fun to dance in!)

I've always liked that blue/black dress. Just gorgeous on you. And yes isn't that sunshine yellow wonderful..just wish I could wear that colour. Kay is taking a Farha Tour to Luxor and Eman will be visiting. What more could a girl want????

I love the blue/black. I also love the eman dress. Those colors are awesome- I'd like to see it with the belt.
It seems like everyone has a nice collection of dresses!

Oh, thank you! I was really happy to have the blue/black. It recently went to live with a certain someone who is going to look fabulous in it but is under strict orders to sell it back to me if she should happen to change her mind. (Ya hear?)

I'll post photos of the green dress with the belt when it arrives. Would somebody with boobs and a serious booty please buy my fuchsia Paganini to speed that process along?

For my shape (a very full hourglass) I really like things that fit close through the hips and flare out below. I don't like a ton of embellishment, particularly fringe, at the bust, because that gets enough attention and has enough movement already. Even if I didn't prefer to cover my upper arms, I would still want sleeves to draw the eye out horizontally and balance the fullness at the bottom -- mine and the skirt's. A wide V neckline, as on the blue/black, is nice for that as well. The Pharaonics costumes with stretch at the top and chiffon at the bottom -- like the Venus/Goddess Maat and Samia Gamal -- are great as long as the bottom of the stretch section doesn't grab too tightly or hit unflatteringly at a wide spot. Lycra or velvet with chiffon gores rocks!

And I suppose exchange rates make us a lot more attractive these days Eman or whatever!

(Ya hear?)

I hear...but if I customize for myself..it may not fit you anymore...now I am anxious.....

Honestly, yes! I couldn't have considered buying from Farida Dance a year or two ago -- not because her prices aren't fair, just because exchange rates put buying anything in the UK (or traveling there) out of my reach. It's very nice to have the option now.

Originally Posted by anala

I hear...but if I customize for myself..it may not fit you anymore...now I am anxious.....

If you mean anxious as in nervous, please don't be -- I want you to customize it, wear it, and love it. If you mean anxious as in eager -- go for it, hot mama!

The brown Yasser, my new Old Hollywood favorite, is being shortened even as we speak.

OK...you may not want her back....I am about to make her a bit more...well...slutty.....

A bit more bodacious, d'you mean? Lucky you, to be able to get away with that without scaring the horses. .w.:.w.:
Like I said, go for it!

I really love your deep pink and gold set with the fluffy sleeves. Am I remembering correctly that you sold it? (Not that it would fit me, just wondering.)

Originally Posted by Zana

Oh, thank you! I was really happy to have the blue/black. It recently went to live with a certain someone who is going to look fabulous in it but is under strict orders to sell it back to me if she should happen to change her mind. (Ya hear?)

I'll post photos of the green dress with the belt when it arrives. Would somebody with boobs and a serious booty please buy my fuchsia Paganini to speed that process along?

For my shape (a very full hourglass) I really like things that fit close through the hips and flare out below. I don't like a ton of embellishment, particularly fringe, at the bust, because that gets enough attention and has enough movement already. Even if I didn't prefer to cover my upper arms, I would still want sleeves to draw the eye out horizontally and balance the fullness at the bottom -- mine and the skirt's. A wide V neckline, as on the blue/black, is nice for that as well. The Pharaonics costumes with stretch at the top and chiffon at the bottom -- like the Venus/Goddess Maat and Samia Gamal -- are great as long as the bottom of the stretch section doesn't grab too tightly or hit unflatteringly at a wide spot. Lycra or velvet with chiffon gores rocks!

I totally agree. I am so short that I worry about trumpet skirts. I recently got a costume that had this open ladder work design on the side that turned out to be incredibly flattering and made me look taller. who knew?!

I'm happy to be Eshta-approved! Love your work.

I had one of those ladder skirts, too! I was really surprised how well I liked it. I don't normally show much of my legs, but boy did it make them look longer.

Pink flufy still lives with me! I need to take the extra fabric off the top of the Eman. I am thinking about opening more "vent holes" in the beading pattern. I wont back them with net...just let some skin show thru. I will sew some heavy ass swarovski pears at the bottom beading level, I think a few holes...and some weight on the hem.... may give me the 3 inches I need.

Speak now...or forever hold it. I can sell it back to you...I am in no hurry, and you can take your time to ransom her back.

Originally Posted by anala

Speak now...or forever hold it.

No no no -- she's all yours, assuming you still want her! I'm e-mailing you just to make sure. (Which of your six addresses is best to use, by the way?)

I put on so much weight since last summer (stress related plus not having the emotional or physical strength to do much of anything). At Christmas my sisters came to visit and we planned outdoor activities hiking and canoeing and going for long walks with the dogs. After they left I kept it up and went back to my old schedule of cardio every day and weight training 3-4 days a week. And I tightened up my diet at the same time. Good news is that I've lost 9 lbs since Christmas. Bad news is that I still have a lot to go.

So this weekend I got out costumes and tried them on. Things are looking up. The black dress I posted here earlier needs about 10 lbs of belly fat gone before I will wear it. But I have an unusual Pharaonics dress that I think I can wear now. Its like Zana's blue/black Eman with one full sleeve on one arm and strap on the other shoulder. The bodice runs in diagonal from the full sleeve shoulder to the bra strap. The strap and the cuff on the full sleeve are heavily beaded in silver. The dress itself and the sleeve are covered with strands of silver fringe. The solid part of the dress ends mid-thigh and the rest of the skirt is the ruffled carwash type edged in silver beading. It is a very Mona-like dress. I bought a blue and silver beaded cane and am working on a glitzy sort of folkloric number for it. Five more pounds and it will be much better than it is now.

I am leaving today for 5 days at Oasis Dance Camp (Habiba and Cassandra teaching) and planning on wearing an assuit dress that sort of covers all ills for a baladi performance.

Pictures later.

Souzan

Pretty dress alert!
One of a Kind Red Plus Sized Belly Dance Costume - eBay (item 120372340696 end time Feb-08-09 14:44:34 PST)

Oooh!What a lovely dress!