Thread: costume workshop

i'm going to be teaching a workshop to our local dancer's club about costuming. "how to make it look more professional, and why it's important" i'll be talking about what to look for in when buying a costume, and what standards to hold yourself to when making a costume that you intend to wear for performance, as well as some of the more blatant things NOT to do (sadly some people still need to be told that an underwear bra with a few rhinestones is not a bellydance costume, etc)
being that we're generally visual people, im going to be using a powerpoint to show some of the do's and don'ts. a few of them i can take pictures of myself to fit both situations (for example, the slide about underwear i can take a pic of myself spinning in contrasting and matching trunks) but some of them i just don't have an example in my wardrobe. (my qualification for teaching the workshop is my degree in costume design, not years of performance)
SO im posting to request photos people would be willing to let me use in the slides. of costumes you wore once upon a time that maybe you look back on and say "i wish i knew then what i know now"
i'd feel much better about sharing pics from people who have learned from their experience and would like to help others learn than taking pictures from the internet and hiding the faces.
if you would like i can send you the finished presentation in exchange.

How about this for an example of what not to do?

[Photo deleted because it's popping up in Google image search!]

This is me from my first year of dancing (look at how bad my arms are), and you can see that I was not smart enough to wear harem pants under this skirt. I had sparkly shorts on, but still! Why did I think that it was okay to wear a skirt with 3 slits (2 on the sides and one in the front) without pants? (Who designs a skirt like that?) Oh yeah, since this event, I've always worn leggings or harem pants under my skirts.

Also, the bra's fit is a little wonky. I tried it on over my clothes because I was in a big hurry when I got it. I did modify this costume to get it to fit, but the sides of the top just look odd to me. I think they should have been more tapered instead of the skinny side bands.

Yes, I am aware there is a smiley face on my belt, but that's actually one of my favorite parts of this costume. It's ugly, but it cracks me up.

If there are any other taboos with this costume, feel free to use it in your slideshow. I’ve learned from my mistakes, but it would have been nice if I would have had more guidance when I started and went out in public like that! Hopefully you can prevent some other dancers from making the same mistakes.

I actually have a collection of bad belly dance costumes just for this type of workshop. . .

Good luck!

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by Karnak

If there are any other taboos with this costume, feel free to use it in your slideshow. I’ve learned from my mistakes, but it would have been nice if I would have had more guidance when I started and went out in public like that! Hopefully you can prevent some other dancers from making the same mistakes.

thank you! and i hope so too,
the smiley faces you used are adorable, btw ^_^

This is not a costume I bought or wore, but I saw it for sale at an Arab cultural festival this past summer and was really surprised that they'd sell something like this. Saucer-shaped cups, nipple tassels, sheer glitter-dot... It just goes to show that even if you buy a costume from what you might think is a reputable source, that doesn't mean that it's appropriate.

still looking for costumes. currently im MOST in need of pictures that demonstrate both good and bad examples of: covering your bra (good and bad for both tribal and "cab") "i didn't think it was see thru when i put it on", examples of trim used for "quick coture" and also when pre-manufactured trim goes wrong, good and bad home made(mine are all a mix of purchased and home made so far), and good purchased costumes(to show it doesn't mater WHO makes it, it still needs to be made well), and some good troupe costumes (perfectly matching, same costume in diff colors, same color in diff cuts, and all different with a unifying color theme)
i can always mine the ugly costume website, but anyone willing to share would be much appreciated ^_^