Thread: sandra's beautiful bellas

if i had the $$...






just wanted to "ooh" and "ahh" over the beauties, and she is stunning as always. both beautiful and talented.

that is all :) hehe

Wow! I am one of the few dancers that isn't really normally a huge bella fan - but these are stunning! I may have to consider a custom order in the future now!

i know what u mean, i'm a bella fan but for the really extravagent types, not the cookie-cutter ones. but that usually means more $$$, of which i do not have hehe i do have a pretty yellow bella that i will be wearing saturday that i love and lucked out on the swapmeet for an awesome price :)

here's another i loooove:


and i love the skirt on this one:

How much would a custom one like those run to? I'm ok with eman prices, but I know Bellas are way more...

Yep. definitely in the "If I only had the money" club, but sadly, also in the "If I only had that body" club too. :)

Originally Posted by caralovescostumes

How much would a custom one like those run to? I'm ok with eman prices, but I know Bellas are way more...

if there's a particular element in a costume you like (like let's say, the kind of cutouts on the black skirt) she can work within your budget. i haven't custom ordered from her (yet) but i believe it gets really expensive when you try and make it as close to another costume as possible. eman is usually within the $500 range for custom orders, right? you can get a custom bella around that price and still have it be pretty sparkly.

IDK, they're nice and all, and I love Sandra, I just find it incredibly boring that she only wears bella. Other costume designers do exist. It's elitist in my opinion.

I don't know how people can afford extravagant costumes like these. Where do these dancers get the thousands of dollars to buy up 3-7 costumes like this?

I will probably get flamed for writing this but I've seen her dance - her costumes some times "over power" her dancing. I look at her and don't see the dancing but see the blingy costume and get into a trance looking at the sparkle... but I'm easily entranced these days due to the bad economy and not being able to afford anything myself. So maybe it's just Bella envy.

Originally Posted by jasani

I don't know how people can afford extravagant costumes like these. Where do these dancers get the thousands of dollars to buy up 3-7 costumes like this?

From dancing ALL...THE...TIME. Sandra, Maria and I give up almost all our weekend nights to work in the restaurants, sometimes up to 6-7 shows in one single weekend. The money adds up, though it isn't easy money. I don't have much of a social life :-) Plus, it behooves a regular dancer to have a few different costumes in rotation since there are a lot of regular customers coming in. I dance at the same restaurant every friday and every saturday night. If I had two costumes, I'd be wearing the same thing every weekend. I'm sure the patrons want to see different costumes since (let's face it) there is a fashion show aspect to belly dance. Otherwise we wouldn't be "ooing" and "aahing" the way we do over items for sale in the swap meet.

Once a dancer has built up a good wardrobe of costumes (which can take years depending on how much she works), it's easier to order another costume if a used costume can be sold and that money used towards the new one. The loss usually ends up at around $100-300 depending on how gently the costume was used, but that's the price we pay for wanting to have a varied wardrobe. It's a choice.

Originally Posted by SummerSahar

I'm sure the patrons want to see different costumes since (let's face it) there is a fashion show aspect to belly dance.

Yes. I think, if anything, a lot of dancers underestimate the importance of the whole fashion/fantasy aspect. We know there's more to the dance than flashy costumes. But that doesn't change the fact that most audiences want to see flashy costumes!

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

IDK, they're nice and all, and I love Sandra, I just find it incredibly boring that she only wears bella. Other costume designers do exist. It's elitist in my opinion.

I partially agree, but also have found that some designer's costumes ALWAYS fit me like a glove and other designer's costumes NEVER fit me well even though I try multiple "styles" within a designer.

I love Eman's costumes, but have to do a lot of work on the bra to get it to look right on me. On the other hand, I can pull a Pharoanics out of the box and wear it right away because the bras fit me well.

It is nice to order a costume that you know is going to flatter your body type with minimal effort.

Originally Posted by crystalllized

I partially agree, but also have found that some designer's costumes ALWAYS fit me like a glove and other designer's costumes NEVER fit me well even though I try multiple "styles" within a designer.

Agreed! Part of the reason I'm looking to collect more Bellas is that the bras always fit like a dream - and they're sturdier than a lot of the Lycra stuff that's been hot these past few years. I hate owning a "high-end" costume, only for the metallic finish on the fabric to wear off after 3 shows.

And a lot of the newer Egyptian bras do not seem to have been engineered with human breasts in mind....w.:

I also buy a lot of my suits and formalwear at BCBG. Not because I'm an elitist, but because they make sizes XXS and 00

I think that to say its elitist is pretty harsh. If someone feels that a certain style/designer suits them (and their performance) the best, and can afford to purchase a ton of said costumes, there is nothing at all elitist about opting to take that route.

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Agreed! Part of the reason I'm looking to collect more Bellas is that the bras always fit like a dream - and they're sturdier than a lot of the Lycra stuff that's been hot these past few years. I hate owning a "high-end" costume, only for the metallic finish on the fabric to wear off after 3 shows.

And a lot of the newer Egyptian bras do not seem to have been engineered with human breasts in mind....w.:

I also buy a lot of my suits and formalwear at BCBG. Not because I'm an elitist, but because they make sizes XXS and 00

That's so true. I love Turkish designers (Sim, Bella) because the bras fit (changing hooks excluded) better than Egyptian designer bras like Pharaonix (too lazy to check the spelling ), which end up being two sizes too small.

Originally Posted by jasani

That's so true. I love Turkish designers (Sim, Bella) because the bras fit (changing hooks excluded) better than Egyptian designer bras like Pharaonix (too lazy to check the spelling ), which end up being two sizes too small.

And don't even get me started on those damned Dina bras! They only seem to fit and flatter such a narrow range of sizes, and I always end up doing major surgery on those bras to get them to fit.

woah, sheesh i didn't think this would be a discussion on anything other than oohing and aahing on these sparklies!
i guess it depends on the person, when i watch her dance i see HER dancing. i notice the costume, just like on any other dancer, and of course think they're beautiful but i think she as a dancer really comes out and that's what i pay attention to. these are just pics of the costumes i think are really nice, that's all.

and i love turkish designed costumes (as well as russian designed ones!) because they are very sturdy and a lot of bling for your buck. who cares if it's always bellas? whatever works for the dancer's style and body is all that matters, and apparently bella has worked for her! and seeing the costumes she's sold before, she has owned an eman i think and it suited her very well too. i think bella just knows more of what she wants and how to suit her body, which i say 'go for it' cuz we all know there are certain styles we cannot pull off or just don't call out to us (i.e., sahars don't do anything for my taste 90% of the time)

with that said, the costumes i am favoring these days that come out of my closet are all 'no names'. so it just depends on the person and what works for them. :)

and satin, i actually like the dina bras. on me any way. my lavendar joharah (in my gallery) has one and i think it looks very nice :)

Wow, that second photograph is beautiful!

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

And don't even get me started on those damned Dina bras! They only seem to fit and flatter such a narrow range of sizes, and I always end up doing major surgery on those bras to get them to fit.

LOL! Yes, those Dina bras are the ones I'm talking about with Eman! After dismantling, fixing, wearing and re-fixing 3-4 times, I finally got one to look right. I almost gave up and sold it.

Originally Posted by crystalllized

LOL! Yes, those Dina bras are the ones I'm talking about with Eman! After dismantling, fixing, wearing and re-fixing 3-4 times, I finally got one to look right. I almost gave up and sold it.

I think your chest and ribcage have to be a very specific size/shape to make those bras work. At an AA-cup, all those bras do is display my lovely sternum

And by the time I hike the straps high enough to prevent gapping, the top of the cup is practically hitting my collarbone. NOT a fan.

But they look stunning on lots of other dancers. Go figure!

Originally Posted by basina

I think that to say its elitist is pretty harsh. If someone feels that a certain style/designer suits them (and their performance) the best, and can afford to purchase a ton of said costumes, there is nothing at all elitist about opting to take that route.

The way I see it, it's akin to a business man who only wears impeccably tailored Amani suits or some such high-end brand. It doesn't mean he's not a good business man, it's just that he's so far out of my league that it seems ridiculous. I would be more likely to do business with someone more approachable, like a dude in a Brooks Brother's suit, tasteful but approachable. However, I may be hopelessly middle class (er, low brow).

ETA: It also seems elitist because it's like this inner circle of Bella wearers. Almost like a clique...the "I only wear Bellas" crowd. It's too posh for my taste.

However, as I said before, I don't have a problem with Bellas per se. And again, I do think Sandra is a lovely, talented and beautiful dancer.

"ETA: It also seems elitist because it's like this inner circle of Bella wearers. Almost like a clique...the "I only wear Bellas" crowd. It's too posh for my taste."

Has any of these dancers actually said, with some sort of attitude, "I only wear Bellas"? I can see your point if thats the case, otherwise, its no different to me than anyones particular fancy for ANY item "posh" or not. . .

I've had 3 Subarus now, I love them and will continue to drive them. I dont think that anyone would call me elitist over that. . . but I know people have called my BF elitist because he is on his 3rd BMW - and prefers those cars (and he is NOT one to go around yammering about it either). Its almost like reverse discrimination in some weird way and its one of those things that really bugs me to hear.

Sorry to derail the Bella train. I love them - and I actually REALLY enjoy looking at the galleries of the dancers who have nice collections of them (I regularly check their sites for updates even!)

On another note, I also think wearing a certain style of costume kinda gives a dancer a "look" - you can identify her not only by her dance style, but by her "look" as well.

I think it all depends on your target market. Somebody who loves to do low-key bellygrams and hookah lounges would probably fare better with no-nonsense, workhorse kinda designs that hold up to the rigors of those types of gigs and project a "classic BDer" aura. A stage dancer who performs for other dancers will often wear the daring designs seen on Dina or Randa. A dancer who is looking to do tons of high-end corporate events and weddings might like the more chichi stuff.

Again, it's a personal choice. But we are entertainers and our particular niche market rewards gloss and glamour just as much as it does talent and hard work. You can't exactly avoid that.

Originally Posted by basina

Its almost like reverse discrimination in some weird way and its one of those things that really bugs me to hear.

Bingo.

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

The way I see it, it's akin to a business man who only wears impeccably tailored Amani suits or some such high-end brand. It doesn't mean he's not a good business man, it's just that he's so far out of my league that it seems ridiculous. I would be more likely to do business with someone more approachable, like a dude in a Brooks Brother's suit, tasteful but approachable. However, I may be hopelessly middle class (er, low brow).

ETA: It also seems elitist because it's like this inner circle of Bella wearers. Almost like a clique...the "I only wear Bellas" crowd. It's too posh for my taste.

However, as I said before, I don't have a problem with Bellas per se. And again, I do think Sandra is a lovely, talented and beautiful dancer.

I'm not sure I'm following your argument. You would choose not to go to someone for business if he wears certain clothes that are out of your price range? Even if he treats you the same way that he'd treat royalty?

IMO, there's nothing wrong with just wearing x-brand (I only wear Levi jeans, because they're the only ones who fit), though I personally like to see variety in costumes. If people only wear Bellas, perhaps it's a fit and style issue.

I only have problems if people behave like Bellas or designer costumers are the only worthwhile costumes, and I haven't seen that behavior yet.

I think I can kinda see where Andalee is going with her argument (and I am afraid it is waaay to late in the day to express that coherently, so forgive me saying this badly), and to some degree I can agree with her. Let me take a slightly different angle to the issue, summarizing a discussion I had with a friend tonight - I went through old Arabesque magazines, and I was just totally blown away by the elegance and glamour of the dancers, who often did not have the high-end designer costumes we see today - and also sometimes, the puzzling design choices, of course ;-) I'd love to see more of the quality I find in those old, often home-made costumes, in contrast to the dazzling perfection we see so much of today. Being a Bhuzzer can get one a bit of a Bella-overload ;-)

Wanting to see more variety is one thing. . . stating some one's personal taste is elitist is another entirely ;-)

Originally Posted by steffib

I went through old Arabesque magazines, and I was just totally blown away by the elegance and glamour of the dancers, who often did not have the high-end designer costumes we see today - and also sometimes, the puzzling design choices, of course ;-) I'd love to see more of the quality I find in those old, often home-made costumes, in contrast to the dazzling perfection we see so much of today. Being a Bhuzzer can get one a bit of a Bella-overload ;-)

I agree. Even though I love Bella, I would also LOOOVE to have a few of those vintage, antique bra and belt sets.

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

ETA: It also seems elitist because it's like this inner circle of Bella wearers. Almost like a clique...the "I only wear Bellas" crowd. It's too posh for my taste.

Hi Andalee, this could be interesting opinion, but are we still talking about Sandra and her Bellas? Because this is how this thread started.

I know Sandra personaly and posh is the last word I would use. She was in Czech republic for a workshops, and she was sleeping on my couch, going all over the republic and to Slovakia by train with us, because we don't have a car, and she always seemed to have fun, never complained about anything and always was very humble and simple.

We have talked a lot.. also about the costumes. She says that she wears Bellas because they always fits her like a dream. She tried also different designers, but she rather let Bella do her version of some design, because Sandra is always more satisfied with Bella.
I think this is very personal and different for each dancers.
I love Eman costumes, because their bras always fit me and makes me beautiful cleavage and nice body shape. As I can read, most of dancers with smaller breast hates them.

I also think that some of designs Sandra wears are so different than classic princessy Bellas, that I wouldn't recognize it's one designer, if I don't do bellydance for so many years.

Anyway, I also know some dancers which are buying high end costumes, even if they just finished 6months of dance course and can't do even a hip-drop properly. But they have rich husband and so on.

But Sandra is not this case, she is dancing more than 15 years, and not wearing costumes just to be in some "I wear only XXXX brand" club.
Btw her workshops was more crowded than some BDSS workshops in CZ. People has seen her videos, because she has many on youtube, and made their own opinion - and decided to come :) I think it speaks for itself. I have never received so many "thanks letters" during my workshop organising experience.

Clearly, I am not going to be understood on this point. Please resume oohhhing and ahhhing over Bellas. Good flounce to you!

Yes yes I am a Bella fanatic. They fit so well always! I'm saving up for a custom job but I also make my own costumes.
I ooo ans aaah over Sandras web photos and Marias to! Love them!!! I also visit Satins ~shhh~