Thread: Wings question - ebay cheapies vs custom

Hi everyone, just wondering - I'm looking to try working with wings, but am wondering whether it is best to start with a pair from ebay at $50 like these

Rainbow sparkling Handmade Isis wings (multi color) on eBay (end time 01-Aug-09 23:38:15 BST)

or spring for a custom pair from Ayshe at $240 (inc the shipping). Does anyone have any experiences with both? I'm sure the Ayshe ones are way more gorgeous, but I wonder if it might not be overkill to spend that much at the moment, when I'm not sure yet if I will like working with them, or if I might prefer a different fabric once I see them in use...

I have a pair of eBay cheapies, and I've danced with more expensive borrowed ones. I really miss the pair I borrowed!

I paid less than $50 for my eBay wings, but I'm going to need to change the sticks and neck strap. (Who thought it was a good idea to make the neck strap elastic?) I haven't performed with them because I haven't been motivated to make the changes.

The nice ones I borrowed from a friend were from here: Audrena.com -> Isis Wings I loved them and my friend had to fight me to get them back! (I kid.) She had the shimmery kind. The neck strap was comfortable and there are plastic sticks in the wings. The ends of the stick pockets were reinforced with plastic.

The only tip I can give you is don't buy organza wings!
I bought a couple of those (on Ebay) and they are beautiful but sooo hard to work with!
I'm looking for some lamee ones, 'cause I heard those flow easier.
Hope that helps a bit!

Personally, I have both types of wings and the Ayshe ones blow the cheap ones out of the water. So much easier to work with, they flow better, and the shimmer is out of this world!

Plus, Ayshe's an absolute doll.

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Personally, I have both types of wings and the Ayshe ones blow the cheap ones out of the water. So much easier to work with, they flow better, and the shimmer is out of this world!

Plus, Ayshe's an absolute doll.

Ayshe is wonderful and her custom wings are worth every single penny of the additional cost! I have several sets from her as well as a huge collection of cheaper ones and the cheaper ones just don't compare.

As someone who has danced with wings for many years I am a strong believer in having different styles of wings for different types of numbers, and I love playing with different fabrics. I love my silk and organza sets just as much as my lame ones. I think it would be wise to go for a cheaper pair in the beginning if you are not sure if wings really are a prop that suits you as a dancer. If you get hooked then you can always splurge on some custom ones later on.

BTW If you are looking for inspiration for performing with them then try Ayshe's DVD's - she has one on technique and one on choreography, both of which I can recommend very highly.

Afra
Afra al Kahira - International Teacher & Performer of Oriental Dance

Official wings addict! ..g.:

I have cheap e-bay organza wings for my troupe. They're certainly not as nice as Ayshe's -- the pleats are bigger, they're not custom sized, etc. etc.

But they're just fine for us. I don't find them hard to work with, although I know the more finely pleated wings would move more fluidly, ripple more nicely, and be more durable. We've had to repair the tips of our pockets, and we're always tempted to line the itchy neck part with a bit of old T-shirt. But we've had them for 3 years now and they're holding up OK. They came with nice storage/transportation cases, too.

I'm very practical. If I had high-paying gigs to use the wings for, I'd invest in the nice ones. But since I rarely have space for them at paying gigs and use them mostly for events where I'm performing for free (haflas, recitals, workshop shows, benefits) I just won't invest more right now. (especially since I had to buy 5 pair for my group, but even if it were just me).

Originally Posted by afra14

Ayshe is wonderful and her custom wings are worth every single penny of the additional cost! I have several sets from her as well as a huge collection of cheaper ones and the cheaper ones just don't compare.

I was skeptical at first (how could they possibly be THAT much better), but now I'm hooked. The Ayshe wings just fan out and ripple so beautifully when you spin, and they don't puddle behind you like the cheap ones do. They drape better.

I'd love to get an opalescent white pair to match all my costumes.

Ayshe's wing choreography workshops are so inspiring! She's a wealth of great information and has really mastered the prop beyond the basic swooshing and turning.

Ooh, that reminds me I got to email Ayshe back I am ordering opalescent lavender organza. To double wing my silver lame ones. I have a Amira Mor ones for smaller spaces.(swapped out for the plastic rods) . Ayshe will also send you fabric samples, just email her a pic of your costume you are trying to match. Thats what took me so long to decide.
I took a Ayshe wings workshop and have the DVD great stuff I learned.

I find if you are going to work with wings your first pair should be gold or silver or opalescent organza. To go with all your costumes.

i have a pair of gold lame ebay cheapies, and i must say they are awesome (although i don't own an Ayshe pair to compare them with). however, a while ago i got a friend a REALLY cheap pair (like 30$) and i could tell that she wasn't happy with it...the proportions were all wrong (the wings ended above her ankles but she had a hard time stretching her arms just to get to the closest end of the sticks), the collar was TINY she nearly choked the first time she tried them on. i felt so bad after that...
anyways, in my opinion it's better to start of with the high-end ebay wings and when you become hooked you can invest in the lovely wings of Ayshe
xxx
Athena

Originally Posted by mehndidancer

Ooh, that reminds me I got to email Ayshe back I am ordering opalescent lavender organza. To double wing my silver lame ones. I have a Amira Mor ones for smaller spaces.(swapped out for the plastic rods) . Ayshe will also send you fabric samples, just email her a pic of your costume you are trying to match. Thats what took me so long to decide.
I took a Ayshe wings workshop and have the DVD great stuff I learned.

I find if you are going to work with wings your first pair should be gold or silver or opalescent organza. To go with all your costumes.

Yes, Ayshe is so helpful when it comes to getting exactly what you want. I have a pair of lavender opalescent organza ones from her that are absolutely beautiful. They catch the light in so many different ways and go well with my gold, silver and white sets when I use double wings.

Afra al Kahira - International Teacher & Performer of Oriental Dance

One hundred percent, I would go with Ayshe's wings. They are absolutely spectacular. They move with a fluidity and grace that is absent from the cheapie wings. Because the pleats are much more concentrated, it looks really majestic when you unfold them. They are just a much better quality.

Ayshe's wings will be custom fit and the fabric choice will be just right for what you are looking for. I would order wings from Ayshe in one of the standard colors - gold, silver or sheer white. I have seen a lot of Ayshe's fabric samples and even the choices on these three colors are infinite....okay, maybe not, but there's a lot of shades in between. If you feel like you must get another color, then you can get the cheapie wings. Also, these three basic colors are usually very, very, very poorly done by the cheapies. The silver looks like aluminum foil and the gold looks like it fell off a christmas tree...just garish.

Ayshe's wings, no matter what color or material are always classy.


Plus, she's also a great person who will go out of her way to assist you.

Originally Posted by Zobeida

The silver looks like aluminum foil and the gold looks like it fell off a christmas tree...

That's the best way to describe the cheap-o wings. I feel like the great winged baked potato!

Originally Posted by Karnak

That's the best way to describe the cheap-o wings. I feel like the great winged baked potato!

Hahaha! I love that imagery!