Thread: Remember Dalia and Alia's Incredible skirts?

I remember Alia, who used to make a lot of Dalia Carella's costumes, made these amazing bias cut full length pretty full skirts that would move incredibly when they were danced in. They had multiple panels, and usually a ruffle on the bottom and I always regret not getting one when I had the chance. She sold them under the business name "Dalia and Alia".

I'm wondering a) what ever happened to Alia? Does she sew anymore?
b) does anybody make skirts like this anymore?
c) does anybody have one of these skirts that could potentially have a pattern made off of it?
d) is there a pattern of this style skirt available somewhere?
e) is there somebody out there who could make me (and possibly my troupe) a skirt (or skirts) like this?

<3

I remember these - they were amazing! I wish I'd bought one too.

Do you mean something along the lines of Dhyanis' skirts?

DHYANIS

Originally Posted by shems

I remember Alia, who used to make a lot of Dalia Carella's costumes, made these amazing bias cut full length pretty full skirts that would move incredibly when they were danced in. They had multiple panels, and usually a ruffle on the bottom and I always regret not getting one when I had the chance. She sold them under the business name "Dalia and Alia".

I'm wondering a) what ever happened to Alia? Does she sew anymore?
b) does anybody make skirts like this anymore?
c) does anybody have one of these skirts that could potentially have a pattern made off of it?
d) is there a pattern of this style skirt available somewhere?
e) is there somebody out there who could make me (and possibly my troupe) a skirt (or skirts) like this?

<3

a) I remember Alia very well -- she's my adopted "sister." ;-) She's now living in San Diego and no longer sewing. I'll send you her email address, just in case.

Can't help you with the other questions....

I agree, Dhyanis makes awesome skirts. She is a true artisan. If you will be at Rakkasah she is usually a vendor.

Is this the style?
Tribal/Gypsy Belly Dance Skirt: Black & Red 33 Yards!!! - eBay (item 380207791805 end time Feb-24-10 14:58:01 PST)

I have an entire original costume that my very good friend gave me to list for her..But my pictures do nothing for how beautiful this costume is..And it is brand new never worn..The skirt is awesome I wish that came through in the pic

That is gorgeous Yazeena.

I had heard that she moved to CA also and was no longer sewing. I have one of her gypsy skirts from her first year or 2 of designing. I'll try to post a pic of it soon.

I bought several when she was still vending at Rakk West -- I sold two of them to LesgeminiZafirah -- if she still has them maybe you could stalk her! (Hope this is OK with you, Zaffy, lol!). Her skirts were fabulous....I have two that I have used to death, and they are still like new--made to last! I won't be letting go of these two, but I do have a full set that Audrena sold to me at Rakk years ago -- it's a unique set that is 100% silk (except for the black velvet part of the choli). The underskirt is endless yards, with a ruffle. There is an overskirt, and a black velvet choli with attached matching ruffle sleeves. I've worn it maybe a dozen times, it's still like-new. The original price was $800, but Audrena gave me a discount 'cause I was buying a lot at the time from her. If there is interest, I might post it. The colors are gorgeous, just not my personal favorites: Fuschia/yellow/orange primarily, with hints of black --

If interested, I could post some pics.

PS - I also have some of Dhyanis' skirts, and they are gorgeous as well and really hold up to use/abuse!

It is impossible to tell from a photo if the cut of Dhyanis's skirts are the same as Alia's. I'd have to see them in motion. Naiyahayal, can you tell if Dhyanis's skirts have the same bias cut flow that Alia's do?

Yazeena, I love that skirt! Just out of curiosity, how much will you be listing the set for?

I assume that these wonderful skirts appeared on one or more of Dalia's videos/ DVDS? If so, which one and where? That would help.

Yep that skirt style is awesome. I like it much better than the 25 yd tiered skirts that are everywhere nowadays.

The simplest bias skirts are really easy to make. They're plain, ordinary circle skirts, usually 1-1/2 or 2 full circles, no splits, with a ruffle at the bottom.

Cut four 1/2 circle skirt panels, sew them together along the side seams.

Add a waistband.

Prepare a ruffle, and pin it to the bottom of the skirt.

Let the skirt hang as long as possible to get the stretch out of the bias.

Sew on the ruffle. For even more lushness, make the ruffle on a bias cut, or use a circular flounce instead of ruffles.

The more elaborate skirts use smaller panels but more of them.

Originally Posted by shems

It is impossible to tell from a photo if the cut of Dhyanis's skirts are the same as Alia's. I'd have to see them in motion. Naiyahayal, can you tell if Dhyanis's skirts have the same bias cut flow that Alia's do?

Yazeena, I love that skirt! Just out of curiosity, how much will you be listing the set for?

She is going to be asking $500 or best offer I have alot more pics if you are interested

I was lucky enough to snag one of their skirts a while ago and I'll not be parting with it any time soon

Er I have one with matching top and belt. Blue and Black.....
Bought it right here on Bhuz.
Why?
Would anyone like it?..g.:

Originally Posted by shems

It is impossible to tell from a photo if the cut of Dhyanis's skirts are the same as Alia's. I'd have to see them in motion. Naiyahayal, can you tell if Dhyanis's skirts have the same bias cut flow that Alia's do?

Yazeena, I love that skirt! Just out of curiosity, how much will you be listing the set for?

Alia's skirts do not seem to be cut the same way -- they move differently. Dhyanis' skirts are usually panels that are narrow at the top and become full at the bottom, usually lots of different fabric combinations. Alia's (at least the ones I remember and those I bought) were usually made of one fabric, and you had a choice of one or more ruffles and choice of trims. Dhyanis uses lace -- I don't think Alia did. Alia had one important choice that Dhyanis does not -- the "dropped waist" -- this is my preference for full skirts like this, as they are slimming for the torso and there is no bulk at the top. The major difference to me seemed that with Alia's skirts, you don't really see how full they are until they are in motion. Even the style without the dropped waist, they seem slimmer on top. I'm not an expert on bias cut -- I can take a few pictures for you -- they don't seem to be cut the same way. Let me know if you'd like me to email you a couple of pix. I have a tape of my troupe at Rakk West a few years ago which would show both in motion -- we used both Dhyanis' and Alia's skirts, but unfortunately it's a VHS tape, not DVD ....

I might have a copy of Alia's old catalog -- if I do, would you like me to send it to you? It has all the styles she used to make -- maybe you could persuade her to make some for you .....

Originally Posted by Yazeena

She is going to be asking $500 or best offer I have alot more pics if you are interested

.... worth every penny, if you can get one of these. I see it includes her signature tassel to tie the hip scarf... this is GORGEOUS, Yazeena!!

Originally Posted by naiyahayal

.... worth every penny, if you can get one of these. I see it includes her signature tassel to tie the hip scarf... this is GORGEOUS, Yazeena!!

Its not mine =( I am selling for a friend and it is beautiful...If I had occasion to wear it I would soo buy it from her!!!! The skirt is to die for!!

Maybe this will help -- this thread contains a link to Dalia's on-line classes, and if you scroll down, she is wearing a black skirt in the video clip -- I believe it's one of Alia's ....
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/rest-belly...e-lessons.html

Hi, Shems, I don't have one of Alia's skirts, but I do remember that they featured a dropped waist (or a deep yoke), with the gathered portion the skirt right below yoke. The yoke was closer fitting, from waistline (or "bellydance waistline" which is lower than your waist in street clothing). Not tight, but there wasn't extra fabric.

The yoke covered the area from the waist to the hip that is covered by a hip scarf, so instead of gathering a bunch of extra fabric under the hipscarf, it just wasn't there. I have no idea how the skirt below the yoke was assembled, whether it was bias panels or if it was several half circles.

Have fun with your project! I look forward to seeing pictures of the skirts. It would be a fun project.

MasoumaRose

Originally Posted by naiyahayal

I might have a copy of Alia's old catalog -- if I do, would you like me to send it to you? It has all the styles she used to make -- maybe you could persuade her to make some for you .....

Yes! I would love to have a copy of her catalog. Should I try and email you off post? Are pms working now? You can email me at shemsdance@gmail.com

The top part seemed to be of a heavy brocade type material that sat at the natural waist with the fullnes hanging off of it. I think it must have a zipper in the back as the brocade was non stretch for strength. The top seemed to hit around the upper thigh. Just guessing from watching my vid. Oh. Look. I know who I am again! And I got a PM!

Originally Posted by naiyahayal

I bought several when she was still vending at Rakk West -- I sold two of them to LesgeminiZafirah -- if she still has them maybe you could stalk her! (Hope this is OK with you, Zaffy, lol!). Her skirts were fabulous...!

At the risk of sounding like Gollum from Lord of the Rings, "MINE! My Preciousssss!" ..l;,..l;,..l;, I still have them, wear them, LOVE them... but do feel free to stalk; I've always wanted the "good" kind of stalker(s)--the one(s) from the bhuz swap meet! Hahaha:)),r:;..l;, When Paola Blanton had a Rom workshop here last Summer and requested we bring full skirts for dancing, you can believe I brought my Dalia's with me, & Paola (who also studies w/Dalia Carella) loved them, too! :))

Originally Posted by lizajuk

Er I have one with matching top and belt. Blue and Black.....
Bought it right here on Bhuz.
Why?
Would anyone like it?..g.:

Although I probably cannot afford it I would be interested in knowing the price and seeing a picture. Either PM or post here.

Originally Posted by shems

Yes! I would love to have a copy of her catalog. Should I try and email you off post? Are pms working now? You can email me at shemsdance@gmail.com

OK, I'll scan it & email to you as an attachment -- mom is having a medical procedure today, so it might be tomorrow or Friday, OK? The sketches in the catalog are very clearly drawn, so I think they may be very helpful ....

Originally Posted by Lesgemini_Zafirah

At the risk of sounding like Gollum from Lord of the Rings, "MINE! My Preciousssss!" ..l;,..l;,..l;, I still have them, wear them, LOVE them... but do feel free to stalk; I've always wanted the "good" kind of stalker(s)--the one(s) from the bhuz swap meet! Hahaha:)),r:;..l;, When Paola Blanton had a Rom workshop here last Summer and requested we bring full skirts for dancing, you can believe I brought my Dalia's with me, & Paola (who also studies w/Dalia Carella) loved them, too! :))

..l;,..l;,..l;, (do you still have the burned-out velvet matching hip scarf?) You have excellent taste, my dear!

Originally Posted by naiyahayal

..l;,..l;,..l;, (do you still have the burned-out velvet matching hip scarf?) You have excellent taste, my dear!

Oh, YEAHhhh! ..g.:

Oh, Naiya (& Kadoodle), I must thank you again b/c I love them so much! I just got the Vintage purple Abla bedlah from Iscah & am planning to wear w/the Dalia purple skirt set...Don't you think that would be just marvy??,r:;

Originally Posted by lizajuk

Er I have one with matching top and belt. Blue and Black.....
Bought it right here on Bhuz.
Why?
Would anyone like it?..g.:

I'd definitely be interested..l;,..l;,..l;,

Originally Posted by Lesgemini_Zafirah

Oh, YEAHhhh! ..g.:

Oh, Naiya (& Kadoodle), I must thank you again b/c I love them so much! I just got the Vintage purple Abla bedlah from Iscah & am planning to wear w/the Dalia purple skirt set...Don't you think that would be just marvy??,r:;

Yes! Absolutely!

Slight threadjack: If the catalog has any sketches of Alia's "faux assuit" dresses with the various sleeve options, could I trouble someone for a scan? I was lucky enough to snag one years ago -- the very last one she had in stock, I think -- and loved it to bits. Thanks!

Suzana
info at suzanadance dot com