Thread: High end Bollywood costuming

Help! I need to get some really beautiful Bollywood costumes!!! Does anybody know a good designer or store or website where I can order costumes and jewelry?

Any ideas are greatly appreciated!!!!

Thank you!!!

Alimah

I get most of mine from high end Indian Bridal stores. They'll do seamstress work for you, so you can make a kurta (longer shirt) into a choli and change the length of the skirt etc. It's difficult to find the fuller skirt ones- but the bridal stores usually carry at least a few with full skirts that are weighted nicely with beadwork at the bottom.
Is there a "little India" section of your city or a city near you? This is where to find the stores. They'll have jewelry, too.
Remember- they are a bargaining culture!
This is the sort of thing I'm talking about- these are two different price points. The saffron/burgundy one is on netting and not nearly so expensive even though it has a good amount of beadwork. The turquoise one is on more of a chiffon overlay and really intensive with beadwork.

Thank you so much for your help, Samira! Your photos are both beautiful and inspiring!! Can you give me a ball park figure for price points? What should I look for in quality?

thank you again,

Alimah

wow samira, gorgeous!

Sona Chaandi
they don't have it on their site but in the store they have some of the most high end bridal wear in the usa. check them out if you are down south or call and ask for what you want + pics

Just a little bit on the side...

It's not really "Bollywood costuming" most of you are looking for. It's simply "traditional Indian dresses" :-)

Typical Bollywood costumes as they are actually worn in films for dance scenes look like this in 90 % of the cases:







Oh, and it's not like that's a modern invention.
The mini skirt has been popular in Bollywood for many, many years, especially worn by Helen, the mother goddess of all Bollywood dancers:


This is from the film "Caravan" - a MUST-see for all Bollywood fans! And there are more miniskirts in the same film :-)

I know, we love those wide skirts and sparkly jewellery. But it's not necessary what the INDIAN audiences want to see!

MEISSOUN - your in-house Bollywood expert

Originally Posted by meissoun

Just a little bit on the side...
I know, we love those wide skirts and sparkly jewellery. But it's not necessary what the INDIAN audiences want to see!

MEISSOUN - your in-house Bollywood expert

LOL! Ahhhh...Bollywood can be so ...special.
I would say however what costuming the client wants would depend upon the style of Bollywood dance the client wants and the ambiance desired for their event.
I perform Bollywood Mujra- which is based on Kathak. Regardless of what most "bollywood songs" have, ALL the songs clients ask me to do are the ones with the more traditional costuming in the videos and they request lengha, choli, dupatta most of the time. Nostalgia is an integral part of some of their formal events and important family celebrations - so some of them WANT the "oldies but goodies" and the trappings that go along with it.

Alimah- pricing will vary.
You can go on ebay and see the Rajhastani style (colorful with mirrors, less formal) and the same sorts of style will range from $40-$150. Even in the pictures however you can see the difference in quality.




You'll be looking for the same sorts of differences in the higher end stuff- fabric content, fabric "hand", how much the embellishments catch on things, quality of decorative pieces, etc etc. It's like comparing a Necklemen's to an airport special to Khan el Khalili decent costume to a Bella, an Eman, Pharaonix etc. The quality is all over the place.
The saffron costume I think they had listed around $325. I got it down to $225 (including seamstress work)...then also had them throw in a matching bangle set. The blue was listed over $450- I think I paid $375 (including seamstress work). I got a matching bangle set on that one as well. I've been in stores that sell the same quality stuff and have $700 price tags. There are also higher quality ones.

Hi, Meissoun!

Actually, I sat down with the owner of the indian restaurant and he showed me a bunch of Bollywood dvds. There was a lot of completely non-traditional costuming, but the most popular artists also did some fairly traditional moves in modern versions of traditional costumes. To me, they looked like the Bellas of Bollywood! : D

So, I guess that is my next question. Is there a "Bella" of Bollywood costuming? Someone who makes the exquisitely designed costumes that you see when the stars are wearing something besides a mini skirt in metallic lycra?

And Samira, thank you for the website! I'll write to her. I'm also going to take a field trip to Surrey, near Vancouver in B.C. The owner tells me there are a ton of costume stores there.

Thank you everybody for the ideas!

Alimah

Hi, Samira

Those prices help a lot! I wasn't sure what I should be paying. And you are right, the quality should be obvious. I should probably go to a store and check it out. It is a bit of a hike, but will be worth it.

Thank you!

Alimah

[/QUOTE]

ooooh! this reminds me of the beautiful costume ( i know it's a common style, but it's the first time i fell in love with the style) Chandramukhi wore in the last Devdas...*drooooooools* I'd also kill for the blue sari paro wore during the river scene...

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsXP7eESo1M]YouTube - Devdas - Maar Daala [HQ + English Subtitles][/ame]

Hi Alimah!

If you're looking at something that's really well done you can end up paying anything from $400 to several 1000 dollars. My best suggestion is to set a budget and then find something that fits the budget.... I mean, you can find dresses that are $10.000 with swarovski work on them, or you can find one for $250 with metal thread work/bead work. It really varies.

There is no such thing as Bollywood costuming and the fit is also... special on a lot of the dresses you will find. My best suggestion is to surf on "indian bridal wear" or "lengha" or "punjabi suit" or "sari" and see what you come up with.

I've spent HOURS searching online for good stuff....sometimes we find stuff, sometimes it's just crap available.

As for "Bella of Bollywood" we have way too many good designers to have ONE stand out like that :P lol

No seriously, nobody's gonna be able to tell if it's a way expensive costume or not. Only snobby people, people with a brand fetish, people with unnecessary amounts of money to burn on a costume they're only going to wear once in a while or people that just HAVE to have crystal work instead of the traditional Indian copper thread work will spend a "ridiculous" amount on an outfit.

Find one you like the design of and remember that you probably will have to switch it out after a while because it will be "worn out" from people seeing it all the time.

DaVid

Well, there IS a "Bella" in the Hindi film industry and he is Manish Malhotra.
Manish Malhotra
Another name one is Rocky S.

They also sell clothes for "normal" people So if you want a real Bollywood dress, get one from Manish. ..g.:

I agree that audiences mostly want glitter skirts and stuff. But I guess I have become a bit touchy about so many things being sold as "Bollywood". You know, just like those "bellydance" items on ebay that have nothing to do with Middle Eastern dance...

I once got a very irritated comment about a Bollywood dance performance in a German bellydance magazine because I wore an authentic Bollywood costume ..l;,

(And yes, I AM wearing shorts under that skirt, like a good Indian girl!)

But when you have been performing Bollywood dance as long as me (nearly 10 years) you want a little change from all the long skirts! Plus you have to adjust your costume to the style of the song. A heavily beaded bridal gown just doesn't work with a slutty song like Namak or Yeh Mera Dil or with a disco numbern. (And yes, please get the lyrics!)

Here's an overview of what I wear:
MEISSOUN
MEISSOUN

I buy most of my costumes in India or make them myself.
Some are also from Tamil shops in Zurich.

MEISSOUN

Really beautiful costumes Meissoun!

Originally Posted by meissoun

I agree that audiences mostly want glitter skirts and stuff. But I guess I have become a bit touchy about so many things being sold as "Bollywood". You know, just like those "bellydance" items on ebay that have nothing to do with Middle Eastern dance...

Ahh...yes. Mislabeled just to try to make a sale. Totally baffling to me to see Salwar Kameez outfits listed under belly dance and weird random things listed under Bollywood.

Originally Posted by meissoun

But when you have been performing Bollywood dance as long as me (nearly 10 years) you want a little change from all the long skirts! Plus you have to adjust your costume to the style of the song. A heavily beaded bridal gown just doesn't work with a slutty song like Namak or Yeh Mera Dil or with a disco numbern. (And yes, please get the lyrics!)

As my Indian training is only in Kathak based Bollywood Mujra at this point in time (and Kathak can keep one very busy learning for *many many years*) I don't branch out into forms I'd only be guessing at. I live in a region with a fairly good market for the style I do, so it works well that way. It's secondary to belly dance for me, and there are only so many hours in the day.
Awesome that you have the time to study and do so many styles, Meissoun! Go you!

Kathak is a good base for Bollywood dance.
I really think that one needs a strong base in at least one traditional Indian dance form to be a qualified Bollywood dancer. (I'm a longtime Bharata Natyam dancer) And knowledge about cultural background is a must.

After all it's like in bellydance - you need to know more than a few moves to be able to perform on a professional level.

During the BW hype here I have seen so many wannabes - bellydancers, hip hop dancers, gymnastic teachers... they watched a few films and went out teaching/performing.
The one who advertised herself as "first Bollywood dancer in Germany" was a good proof that "first" does NOT mean "best". David, you know who I mean.... ..l;,

Namaste

MEISSOUN

Me? I dont know anything about that lol ;)

I think it's extremely important to be well versed in Indian dances in general and have an appreciation for what Bollywood brings to the table as a catch-all style.

Although I do find classical Indian dance training to be advantageous - I have also seen Bollywood dance being done in an OVERTLY classical dance stylized manner - which takes away from the Bollywood feel itself. where as Bollywood IS fast and "impressive", it doesn't always dig into the subtleties of the classical dance expressions in face, movement and intent..but rather exaderates these elements instead.

To me straight up classical dance is for the refined eye, while bollywood is for everyone. Refined eye meaning "educated" in this instance.

I was SO jazzed by the fact that Ambarpali Ambegokar (sp?) placed so high in the Superstars of Dance show. She's a true up and coming authority/protege of an authority in the international Kathak scene.

It's cool that people seem to find Indian culture and dance so engaging. :)

DaVid

Originally Posted by david

Although I do find classical Indian dance training to be advantageous - I have also seen Bollywood dance being done in an OVERTLY classical dance stylized manner - which takes away from the Bollywood feel itself.

That's true - some of those dancers tend to be too stiff.
It's like a ballerina dancing another style and still looking alike a ballet dancer.
One needs to be able to relax for Bollywood Dance ..g.:

But it also needs to be said that many classical Indian dancers look down upon filmi dance because they think it's not art, "only" entertainment, un-Indian and whatever. (But when they find out that there's money to be made, they turn around and that's when you get "overtly classical" BW dance).

MEISSOUN

nalini (our own little bollywood and kathak treasure here in your home town) has tons of pics on her website for inspiration: Nalini Dance - International bellydancer . she makes most of her solo costumes and all of the troupe costumes for her blue lotus dance company. I'm sure she'd be happy to help you with advice or seamstress services. nalini often has a friend travelling to india (her husband was there last summer; ceanna from our troupe was there recently, another troupe mate is going this summer, her dance colleague anu is there right now) and she asks them to bring back fabric and costume materials for her.

there is a little cluster of indian dress shops that sell all the bangles and jewelry sets with necklaces, earrings and tikkas. hasani used to go up to BC all the time to the indian district to get saris and fabrics. but you'll probably find what you need in kent. you can also find a lot of the jewelry sets on ebay.

and a general comment, not directed at the original poster :) - I agree with meissoun. I've been studying bollywood pretty intensely for a year (on top of my 22 years of bellydance) and I'm nowhere near comfortable with the thought of presenting any solo bollywood work to people who would know enough to call me on it (indian folks). it's a lot harder than it looks, with the footwork (exact opposite of bellydance!), hand placement, and movement of the hands and arms. it's taken hours and hours of drilling the seemingly simplest things and I'm totally a novice at it still. also, in my very limited experience with it all, the movement seems to rely quite heavily on the lyrics (much more so than your standard bellydance). you'll want to at the very least know what the song is about (better to know it all phrase by phrase!) - because everybody else there will know it by heart and expect you to show them what they're hearing (and to have seen the movie that the music is from). and you'll want somebody to show you how to do up the chains on the earrings and where to position the tikka, bindi, and your dupatta. don't be an 8 week wonder bollywood fusion dancer. ;)

I have to proclaim my love for Nalini - she is a FABULOUS dancer and a very generous and friendly person.

Alimah, why don't you speak with Nalini. I'm sure she would know everything about bollywood costuming.

I see that Elisa already mentioned Nalini. Well as you know, she's the bollywood guru around here. : )

Originally Posted by elisagamal

don't be an 8 week wonder bollywood fusion dancer. ;)

Amen to that!

Can I just mention a pet peeve of mine? Since we are on the topic of Bollywood dance wear:
Egyptian/Turkish hip scarves for Bollywood dancing.
I know, there are even some instructional videos out there that feature them. But they are for Middle Eastern dance!!!

Oh, and badly tied saris - they make you look really slutty (especially when the breasts are not covered properly).
And loose cholis. Indian women wear their cholis TIGHT! Especially around the upper arms.
If you are going to wear traditional Indian clothes, better make sure that you know how to wear them correctly...

And now the super nit-picker of the day: Call it "Bollywood Dance", please.
"I do Bollywood" means nothing. There is acting, music, dance, singing, fighting, crying, comedy, drama etc. in Hindi films. Please specify which one of these you do. Thanks.

MEISSOUN
(off to teach Bollywood dance tonight )

If you have a large Indian community in your area with a major Indian dance school, they may have costumes to rent. There are some Indian shops and dance schools that rent costumes for affordable prices.

Getting Indian bridal to do Indian numbers can be very expensive (and possibly inappropriate depending on the song), especially if you are trying to dress a troupe. That was a struggle for my Indian dancer group--trying to find affordable Indian costuming for our dance numbers. Try searching online for Indian stores that have nice cotton lehngas for good prices.

The only good part of that gosh-awful 'Love Guru' movie were the Bollywood costumes:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWFnw4IpMuU&feature=related]YouTube - Jessica Alba in Love Guru Song[/ame]

Originally Posted by alimahdances

Help! I need to get some really beautiful Bollywood costumes!!! Does anybody know a good designer or store or website where I can order costumes and jewelry?

Any ideas are greatly appreciated!!!!

Thank you!!!

Alimah

I think it's too late for me to answer this, but in future if u need bollywood costumes or bollywood dance costume plz let me know, we specialize in bollywood dance costume, we make it according to your need, measurments..
we supply to dance schools to fox television, for dance shows, our website should be up in a month. u can contact us at ''rakeshdds@yahoo.com

Here's a pic of the costume I had made for my Bollywood hoop routine.. miniskirt and all. Unless its a super-traditional classical number, one of my goals in life is to remind audiences that not all desi girls roll out of the womb in encrusted lenghas and saris!

S.T. Shimi - San Antonio, TX | Facebook