Thread: Ugly BD Costumes, redux

Has anyone else read the recent BD fashion article on Gilded Serpent? It's great. Also, has link to here: What Were They Thinking?, featuring the ugly costumes of fame.

The Craptacular Thing would be completely at home!

..l;,

lol, I could take some of the costumes and change them up! Great Blog, you know I am going to follow it.

What happened to the thread with the disaster costumes?

Funny, but I was a little sad to see a sahar and a couple phaoronics costumes on there.

Originally Posted by BELLA_BELLA

Also, has link to here: What Were They Thinking?, featuring the ugly costumes of fame.

EeeeeeK...loud music upon loading! If you are at work turn your speakers DOWN before clicking on the link.

Originally Posted by laura 2

EeeeeeK...loud music upon loading! If you are at work turn your speakers DOWN before clicking on the link.

At work? Messin' around on Bhuz at work? Who would do such a thing? ..l;,

..l;, Did anyone see her link to this picture? matahari.jpg (image)

That wax figure has a raqs beaver!!!

Originally Posted by mrsnj20

Funny, but I was a little sad to see a sahar and a couple phaoronics costumes on there.

The first time I ever heard of Sahar was when someone posted a black and white striped costume with cherries on it on the first UBDC thread back when it was over 100 pages.

I went to the linked site and thought 'Hey these look like Dina's costumes!' and some of them were gorgeous. So I e-mailed the site owner -- Safti -- and he told me about Sahar Okasha.

I wound up meeting Safti when I went to Cairo, he came to my hotel for coffee and took me and Andrea to meet another supplier for her business.

Ahh, UBDC thread, thanks for the memories.

Originally Posted by Sitara9

..l;, Did anyone see her link to this picture? matahari.jpg (image)

That wax figure has a raqs beaver!!!

Woah! Not sure what to do whit that! ..l;,

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Ahh, UBDC thread, thanks for the memories.

That was the thread I was talking about, I use to check it out all the time. They really had some crazy costumes in that thread.

Okay, yes, some...well...okay...most, if not all of those costumes are indeed fugly (IMO) but am I the only one that thinks its kind of mean to take the personal photos of dancers (there are a few-though their faces are covered)???? In fact, I read a comment on that thread posted by the dancer whose costume was apparently being criticized...and she did not sound too happy. She demanded her photo be taken down as it infringed upon copyrights. I can see this side. And it made me kind of sad.

Originally Posted by bdlana

Okay, yes, some...well...okay...most, if not all of those costumes are indeed fugly (IMO) but am I the only one that thinks its kind of mean to take the personal photos of dancers (there are a few-though their faces are covered)???? In fact, I read a comment on that thread posted by the dancer whose costume was apparently being criticized...and she did not sound too happy. She demanded her photo be taken down as it infringed upon copyrights. I can see this side. And it made me kind of sad.

YES! There was a LOT of discussion at the time about the ethics.

Costumes for sale, on mannequins, that no one would conceivably ever buy seemed like fair game. Costumes on dancers obviously being worn at a party seemed like a definite NO (though some people thought that hey, if you put yourself out there, you're fair game). Homemade costumes being offered for sale as 'professional' designs were another gray area.

BUT Jennifer James-Long (who still owned Bhuz at the time) asked us not to post pics for legal copyright reasons (and we certainly didn't edit them). We were only allowed to post links. This blog seems to be stealing other people's art -- that's definitely not legal.

By the way -- I appeared in an ugly costume thread on Tribe once! But since the costume in question was meant to be humorous anyway, I wasn't too bothered.

If I recall the last major attempt at a UBDC thread was partly killed when somoene posted pictures where the model's faces were obscured with photoshoped fake glasses and noses...which was a bit revolting and more so because many Bhuzzers knew the models (one was Samira I think).

The "what were they thinking" site seems to be Amulya's.

I'm kinda ok with Bhuz not having a major UBDC thread anymore. It often got out of control (the noses or people coming here hurt) there was sort of a competition to see who could find the worst, so that pulled in a lot of pictures that would have been left alone. While costume education and sometimes using pictures helps us talk about costuming mistakes...I don't really want to be on searchable record slagging multiple costumes. I'd rather talk about what makes a costume work, what can be done to fix things, and what to give up on. I may come off as preachy when I say that, so be it.

Seems like the site also has "fun" ways of covering identity...I think I would be far more hurt if I found a stolen picture of myself with a Mr. Yuck or Two-Face face photoshoped onto my neck, that seems worse than just having an unadulterated picture stolen and mocked. How is becoming Ms.Yuck better?

What a great idea Ozma! There are so many talented seamstresses on Bhuz; they could easy make over an ugly creation into something very beautiful. This could become a new challenge.

We all have opinions of what makes a costume ugly & feelings when we know that costume belongs to us or a good friend (infamous tassel crassel). But, it's malicious to take a photo of someone else & photoshop items to make them look like Mr. Potato Head & then post them on a public site.

If they can photo shop carrots and glasses into photos, why can't they separate the costume from the owner & post ideas of how to improve it?

I was disappointed in that article. There was no meat to it.
I don't like the UBDC threads, because, 1. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and 2. if someone is wearing something truly horrendous, she has enough problems without the internet community making fun of her.

Maybe it gives a few laughs, but really, is it funny?

I know I have taken some costumes that a person would never buy and did something fabulous with it.

It is too bad that sometimes things were taken to another level. Anyhow, it is true that we all have our own opinions, styles, and tastes.

Totally agree with you on everything and I really am into the idea of concentrating on a more positive attitude about what can be done to fix things. Thanks for sharing!

Originally Posted by ozma

If I recall the last major attempt at a UBDC thread was partly killed when somoene posted pictures where the model's faces were obscured with photoshoped fake glasses and noses...which was a bit revolting and more so because many Bhuzzers knew the models (one was Samira I think).

The "what were they thinking" site seems to be Amulya's.

I'm kinda ok with Bhuz not having a major UBDC thread anymore. It often got out of control (the noses or people coming here hurt) there was sort of a competition to see who could find the worst, so that pulled in a lot of pictures that would have been left alone. While costume education and sometimes using pictures helps us talk about costuming mistakes...I don't really want to be on searchable record slagging multiple costumes. I'd rather talk about what makes a costume work, what can be done to fix things, and what to give up on. I may come off as preachy when I say that, so be it.

Seems like the site also has "fun" ways of covering identity...I think I would be far more hurt if I found a stolen picture of myself with a Mr. Yuck or Two-Face face photoshoped onto my neck, that seems worse than just having an unadulterated picture stolen and mocked. How is becoming Ms.Yuck better?

Nope. Don't agree. Some costumes are ugly, tacky, cheap, cheesy, and altogether unflattering. Costumes are worn to be noticed in -- and sometimes we make horrendous choices. Just like fashionistas everywhere. And sometimes, you don't know it, and need a wake-up call.

Just like when you pick out the world's ugliest prom dress.

Thats pretty terrible/funny. I dont approve of the sea star Sahar being on there though, I love that costume.

Originally Posted by SandraDances

I was disappointed in that article. There was no meat to it.

Yes, this was my feeling exactly. I expected a list of costuming "dos" and a discussion of what's appropriate, what's not appropriate, the effect of trends on costumes and how to deal with trends in a way that won't make you shudder when you see those pictures in two years, etc.

Originally Posted by BELLA_BELLA

Nope. Don't agree. Some costumes are ugly, tacky, cheap, cheesy, and altogether unflattering. Costumes are worn to be noticed in -- and sometimes we make horrendous choices. Just like fashionistas everywhere. And sometimes, you don't know it, and need a wake-up call.

Just like when you pick out the world's ugliest prom dress.

Some costumes are not worth saving...true. But stealing on-body shots and messing with the faces?

Originally Posted by ozma

Some costumes are not worth saving...true. But stealing on-body shots and messing with the faces?

Agreed. Bhuz has taught me so much about good quality costuming, and I'm grateful for that - however - a lot of people's feelings have been hurt by posting recognizable pictures of dancers or costumes that are well made but just not everyone's cup of tea.

Originally Posted by BELLA_BELLA

Has anyone else read the recent BD fashion article on Gilded Serpent? It's great. Also, has link to here: What Were They Thinking?, featuring the ugly costumes of fame.

The Craptacular Thing would be completely at home!

The Craptacular Thing? What's that?

I didn't know Gilded Serpent already published it, they just asked my approval 2 days ago, but I asked them to change a few things, seems they didn't listen to that :(
As for the costumes on the blog, remember someones fugly is anothers treasure . The pictures of these costumes get send in to me by other dancers, so there is a very wide variety. Lots of costumes can actually be 'saved', a little change here and there and it's a good costume. Ok not for Suzy Nipple Tassels costumes maybe, or the cone shaped bra's or crotchtopus costumes.

Btw only costumes that are up for sale are allowed on the blog. I think it's unfair to post things that come from dancers sites. Most of these costumes come from EBay. And yes some of the pictures have been 'edited' by the people who sent them in, but not everybody is good at doing that. I don't have the time to re-edit those pictures.

Originally Posted by amulya

The Craptacular Thing? What's that?

I didn't know Gilded Serpent already published it, they just asked my approval 2 days ago, but I asked them to change a few things, seems they didn't listen to that :(
As for the costumes on the blog, remember someones fugly is anothers treasure . The pictures of these costumes get send in to me by other dancers, so there is a very wide variety. Lots of costumes can actually be 'saved', a little change here and there and it's a good costume. Ok not for Suzy Nipple Tassels costumes maybe, or the cone shaped bra's or crotchtopus costumes.

Btw only costumes that are up for sale are allowed on the blog. I think it's unfair to post things that come from dancers sites. Most of these costumes come from EBay. And yes some of the pictures have been 'edited' by the people who sent them in, but not everybody is good at doing that. I don't have the time to re-edit those pictures.

I'm sorry GS wasn't able to make the changes you requested.

You may want to ask (or rule) that if people use photos of real persons that they refrain from altering faces comically and instead should take the time to crop out faces or blank with a generic oval. It won't change all the complex possibly negative reactions of a site/blog like yours, but would reduce a needless "insult to injury" and might improve the tone. It was the 'ffed up faced I really reacted badly to.

Originally Posted by amulya

The Craptacular Thing? What's that?

Bella was selling a unique item for cheap on the swap meet, she called it "The Craptacular Thing." I bought it and am sending it to another place so it can take a new form and function better in the bd world. Here is a photo of it on me:

Originally Posted by EzmaSiddiqah

Bella was selling a unique item for cheap on the swap meet, she called it "The Craptacular Thing." I bought it and am sending it to another place so it can take a new form and function better in the bd world. Here is a photo of it on me:

I remember this, but I couldn't think of what to do with it??? Can't wait to see what you thought of. I thought it would have some good use also, looks like it has great bead work.

Originally Posted by bdaddiction

I remember this, but I couldn't think of what to do with it??? Can't wait to see what you thought of. I thought it would have some good use also, looks like it has great bead work.

She thought of putting it in a box going to Japan...l;,

Originally Posted by ozma

She thought of putting it in a box going to Japan...l;,

Ha! ..g.: ..l;,

the beading is atrocious, but the underlying bra form is very nicely shaped!

Yup. The Craptacular Thing is my fashion disaster. I never wore it dancing, thankfully. I would proudly have posted it on the ugly costume thread.