Thread: Why are costumes so expensive?

I see that designer costumes seem to be in he $500 and up range. Why is this? Are they each hand made separately? If not, I can't imagine why they're so costly, the amounts of fabric involved in most are so minimal....

*blinks slowly*

Have you ever made a costume?

Also, have you ever owned a designer garment?

The garment industry employs many, many people, all of whom have to be paid, hopefully a living wage. I have owned two Egyptian costumes in my life. Both are cheap and nastay. Neither of them contains one machine stitch. They are completely hand made. Completely. Quite frankly there is probably more work in my US$70 bedleh than there is in that $600 Zambesi dress I was admiring the other day.

With designer costumes you pay partly for quality - better materials, better handcraft - and partly for the name. Then there are shipping costs and of course the 100 percent minimum retail markup.

Why don't you make your own costumes? That way you can control every step of the process and spend only as many dollars on fabric and findings as you feel prepared to spend. The hours of manufacture you can provide for free.

I remember when dancers were paying up to $1200 for the high-end costumes like Madame Abla, several years ago. The prices have actually come down since then.

there was a thread around titled "i will never complain about the price of fringe again", the title sums it up.
costume design is a set of skills, like dancing. there is the design aspect and then the construction side. both take considerable time and practice to master(years). i imagine you feel a little like clients who don't understand why it costs so much to hire a dancer for their event. ^_~

Originally Posted by Zarafshan

Are they each hand made separately?

Yes. Often by the hands of many women!

Originally Posted by Zarafshan

I see that designer costumes seem to be in he $500 and up range. Why is this? Are they each hand made separately? If not, I can't imagine why they're so costly, the amounts of fabric involved in most are so minimal....

It isn't a machine that stitches the beads and sequins...those are done by hand. Most costumes are handmade.

I'd suggest you spend some time making a costume...then you'll understand.

Plus, the less fabric there is the more you'll need to make sure it's well constructed...otherwise it's boobies and butts for all!!

What is your definition of expensive?

Actually, I made most of my costumes with my bare hands from scratch and I still don't understand why "designer" costumes are costing an arm and a leg. Wholesale prices of costumes run about the same as it costs me to make my own.

I think it's all a matter of perspective.

Just sayin'...

i still don't understand why sahars cost $800 +, but are at least worth the $500-$600 that i willingly would pay for emans, hodas, ablas and raqias.........the detail, the care, the fabric, and the beading (even the new hotfix gems take skill and time to apply carefully and cleanly), and while i can make my own....and like to, the type of beading abla's atalier does is SO exacting, it's worth just the labor, never mind the cost of the good austrian crystals alot of them use, and stitching precise....my 'lightning strikes' Hoda zaki shows every penny in it's appliques, hand done fringe and precise, clean stitching....the appliques upon close inspection were hand made, not prefab.....WOW.....and having seen pharonics close up, i'm surprised they're not charging more, the detail is AMAZING!

Originally Posted by Azhia

What is your definition of expensive?

Actually, I made most of my costumes with my bare hands from scratch and I still don't understand why "designer" costumes are costing an arm and a leg. Wholesale prices of costumes run about the same as it costs me to make my own.

Do they cost as much when you figure in how much you'd have to be paid for the time spent making them?

I have learned.You get what you pay for and making them yourself is HARD & time consuming.

I think if Azhia designed and made them for the mass market they's be worth the designer dollar! ;)

Originally Posted by gretchendances

I have learned.You get what you pay for and making them yourself is HARD & time consuming.

I think if Azhia designed and made them for the mass market they's be worth the designer dollar! ;)

i've seen azhia's work, she'd have to charge quite a bit for her time, they're that good.....hear me azhia? ..g.:

I understand it if EACH separate costume is fully handmade( as I originally said but some seemed to miss :)) and you have to pay each woman( or man) a decent sum for his/her labor. But if they are not handmade I cannot understand why I would spend $600.00 on this... Its a bra and a skirt, nicely decorated, probably fits well, maybe would still need major alteration.. I just don't get it other than "paying for the name" as we do with designer clothes all the time.. So, is this ENTIRELY hand decorated?Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: gallery

True dat, it takes time to learn how to do it, it can be challenging and you really understand and appreciate the process. But even at the end of the day, after reverse engineering a "designer" costume, it's still not worth over $300-$400 to me.

Ozma, respectfully, yes, because it takes me a very short time to complete a costume (one of my own). This includes pattern-making, hand-sewing any fabric, and subsequent beading. Definitely under a $400 job, and for something that will never be seen on another individual, unless I sell it to her.

[Thanks so much, gals.]

Originally Posted by Zarafshan

I understand it if EACH separate costume is fully handmade( as I originally said but some seemed to miss :)) and you have to pay each woman( or man) a decent sum for his/her labor. But if they are not handmade I cannot understand why I would spend $600.00 on this... Its a bra and a skirt, nicely decorated, probably fits well, maybe would still need major alteration.. I just don't get it other than "paying for the name" as we do with designer clothes all the time.. So, is this ENTIRELY hand decorated?Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: gallery

Yes, they are all handmade. No machine can do this kind of beadwork, only the sewing of the fabric.

Originally Posted by Azhia

Ozma, respectfully, yes, because it takes me a very short time to complete a costume (one of my own). This includes pattern-making, hand-sewing any fabric, and subsequent beading. Definitely under a $400 job, and for something that will never be seen on another individual, unless I sell it to her.

I wasn't asking to challenge, I was asking because I didn't know.

For my more beaded costumes I'd have to charge designer rates when I figure in time, which is why I rarely do custom orders with complicated beading (and I keep it local so I can make adjustments if needed and to cut down on shipping costs). For the less time-intensive, less beaded custom work I charge around 350-400$

And some of them don't even have machine stitching on the seams. It is ALL handwork.

Originally Posted by Zarafshan

I understand it if EACH separate costume is fully handmade( as I originally said but some seemed to miss :)) and you have to pay each woman( or man) a decent sum for his/her labor. [/url]

That's assuming that people are getting well paid for their work...
Some of the bigger names do alot of the work themselves, but many shops hire others to do the work. You can custom order a costume in Cairo and it will be ready fairly quickly on average. Considering that salaries in Egypt are likely not equivalent to the West, how much someone gets paid cannot be that much.

Unless you buy Eman, or Bella directly they then go through a shop like Mahmouds in Cairo( not dissing him...he is great) and of course they mark it up.

I think the reason costumes are so expensive is because the main market is to foreign women like ourselves who pay the price.

It costs me approximately $200 in materials to make a costume, particularly classic style costumes with beaded fringe and full chiffon skirts (modern egyptian costumes $50-$100). It's worth it for me to make costumes for myself to cut down on costs but I calculate that even if I were to sell my costumes for $600 I would be making under $10/hour labour (not worth it). I totally understand designer costumes being in this price range considering I myself, could not afford to sell costumes any cheaper.

Originally Posted by ozma

I wasn't asking to challenge, I was asking because I didn't know.

I understand Oz, which is why I said respectfully. I think we also have different opinions of the inherent value of a costume so I'm explaining where I am coming from (the pile of spandex, plastic, and glass perspective ).

Originally Posted by SamanthaFortunata

I think the reason costumes are so expensive is because the main market is to foreign women like ourselves who pay the price.

I agree with this.

I paid 200GBP for my dress from Amira El Khattan ( I am sure prices are higher now) but I would have paid that for the material alone and to buy an evening/prom dress of that quality here n the UK would have cost me 4 to 5 times as much.
I hear that Eman and Amira in particular hire trusted craftmen and women who they treat well and I am sure there are other designers who do.
Is it because these people live in an area of the world that you assume where wages are low and someway you deserve to get a bargain?
Is it that you think the European and American vendors who have the enterprise to make life easier for you don't deserve to make a living. I have no doubt mark-up might be 100% but that's the norm here in fashion. They too deserve reward for the risks they take. Bothered by their profit margin then buy direct like I did . Both Eman and Amira have websites and speak excellent English.
You aren't buying the Wal-Mart equivalent of BD costuming here but Chanel. You are paying for creativity and (usually) high quality material and craftwork.
Yes, me too I say make it yourself or buy a bedlah base and add you own bead work..one by one.
Of course there is another way...the way I have.... buy second hand but expect to pay a fair price for a good quality costume.

if you make them yourselves with quality materials, the beads and stones etc will cost you about as much as the finished product.

Originally Posted by Azhia

What is your definition of expensive?

Actually, I made most of my costumes with my bare hands from scratch and I still don't understand why "designer" costumes are costing an arm and a leg. Wholesale prices of costumes run about the same as it costs me to make my own.

I think it's all a matter of perspective.

Just sayin'...

When it comes to the new minimalist styles I agree completely!

When I started dancing almost everybody made their own costumes because imported costumes were difficult to come by and custom costumes cost a fortune.

Costume costs have tumbled! I wouldn't make a tiered skirt today, I've bought nice 25 yd skirts for less than I would pay for just the fabric.

I can understand charging an arm and a leg for elaborate beadwork or intricate design. But a simple skirt from stretchy fabric is quick and easy to make, and it isn't hard to cover a bra with ruched, stretchy fabric. Draping a few swags of beads at the waistband of a skirt is super easy compared to building a solid belt base and hand stringing fringe.

When I make my own I'm starting from bras and patterns that fit me and fabrics in colors I've chosen, so I completely avoid the risk of receiving an expensive costume, paid for months ago, that does not fit or is the wrong color.

But I don't like to do hand beading, so I can see paying a premium for that.

I think the inexpensive "sequin and fringe" costumes are just fine. And I think it's pretty cool that today the average hobby dancer can get a decent, danceable costume for under $200.

Originally Posted by Zarafshan

I understand it if EACH separate costume is fully handmade( as I originally said but some seemed to miss :)) and you have to pay each woman( or man) a decent sum for his/her labor. But if they are not handmade I cannot understand why I would spend $600.00 on this... Its a bra and a skirt, nicely decorated, probably fits well, maybe would still need major alteration.. I just don't get it other than "paying for the name" as we do with designer clothes all the time.. So, is this ENTIRELY hand decorated?Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: gallery

Yes, that's the kind of beadwork I don't mind paying for!

Currently collecting raw materials required to make a costume, the cost:

Animal print fabric~$30
Chiffon~$40
Bra~$15
Swarovski stones~$75
Chainette stones~$40
Sequins~$20
Fish line for the hem~$5
Felt and buckram liner $10

Haven't purchased the bugle or rocaille beads, current estimate sits at $40. The thread will cost at least $5. Hook and eyes, there's so many laying around I won't count them. $280 worth of raw materials as it sits in the basket. That amount is an eye opener for me since I was considering adding another $30 of rice beads.

I don't mind investing my time into a nice costume I can afford. However, I wouldn't bat an eyelash at charging $900 for labor and materials if I were to sew this costume for someone else.

"Every drop of sweat has a price on it."~A Knight's Tale

This is a hard thread for me to read. Egyptian costumes from Egypt reflect the costs of Egyptian labor which is pretty much 3rd world. We are lucky that children don't do it. You will never get a quality costume at walmart prices.
It makes me so so so mad that people are not willing to pay for or consider the labor that goes into these pieces of art. You are paying for something totally handmade. And yes everyone makes their own costumes I hear you but I challenge you to copy an egyptian costume. Sit your butt down and bead and sequin a hemline on a very full circle skirt for about 8 hours and then we'll talk. Do all your edging in seed beads and see how long it really takes you.
I actually get emails from people who get offended that I won't make them a fully beaded pharonics knock off for $150. And those of us in the USA namely me have to compete with egyptian prices! $300-500 for a costume is dirt cheap!
I have been slowly raising mine now that I have a little bit of a following and I can only keep them low because of where I live with my proximity to the world's largest fabric district. If I was stuck getting my materials at Joann's everything would be close to $1000.
Go bead that skirt I was talking about and then we shall see. And don't forget to put a sequin before the beads and after the beads on each loop. That will take you extra time and energy.

Eshta - I agree with what you've said and I have yet to finish a costume! I'd hope most people realize that the costumes you create are a definite bargain. If I went out and purchased the materials to make one of the costumes you create, I would spend as much (even with coupons) as it costs to buy one from you (and takes WAY less time on my end).

@->--

As for the cost of costumes, when it comes to beading, I will gladly pay a premium to avoid having to do it myself. I won't buy a Sahar basic for $400 because I've found I can make a relatively similar knock-off myself for a quarter of the cost + my own "free" labor. It may not be an exact copy, but it's close enough for how often I'd wear a very minimalist costume. It's fun to play and make your own pieces, but when it comes down to it, the quality in a *good* designer handmade costume is worth it's price.

In fact, most costume prices when you break it down are quite reasonable. If you assume that the average gig will pay you $150 (thinking a belly-gram in my area, which is WAY small & this is my premium charge), I can buy a custom Eshta in 3 gigs, or a second hand Egyptian designer on Bhuz. The costume will last well over 3 gigs and has a resale value when I'm ready for a wardrobe rotation so when I factor it all out in my bookkeeping, that costume causes me to lose *nothing* in its purchase AND it would take even less to break even if I were in a larger area with better rates.

Originally Posted by Letitia

...I calculate that even if I were to sell my costumes for $600 I would be making under $10/hour labour (not worth it). I totally understand designer costumes being in this price range considering I myself, could not afford to sell costumes any cheaper.

Originally Posted by artemisia_danst

if you make them yourselves with quality materials, the beads and stones etc will cost you about as much as the finished product.

I think it's fair to say our original poster doesn't sew or understand costume construction.
A lot of people have said that the beadwork (and in some major parts of the construction) is all done individually by hand. In some of them- Sahars for example- the bra foundation itself is also many hours of hand labor- layers of glue and fabric etc.
I'd also add the for *some* of the minimalist styles- meaning in the really crystal encrusted Sahars- you literally have to count the crystals to believe how many are on them. Swarovskis are expensive. If you've been watching Olympic skating- you can SEE what a difference lots of crystals make. Anyway- one time I counted the crystals on one cup of a Sahar bra. This didn't include the back strap or the shoulder strap. This was one of her over $1,000 costumes. Just the cup had an insane number- over 283 or something like that. Based on that count- that costume had well over 1,000 crystals on it, and they weren't the pin-dot tiny kind. Price THAT out.
There is also "designer expertise and experience" that makes a difference in how a costume fits, moves, flatters etc. The cheap knock offs fit differently, use lower quality fabric, beading and thread (thus won't last as long), often are constructed by people who don't know what they're doing (we've seen those bra cups sewn on upside down!).
For the people who've been to Cairo and seen the designers- you SEE their stitchers working hard, you see their costume studios and sometimes their houses. Many of the designers are women who are helping to support multiple families (as in their own and those of their employees). As someone with a lot of sewing experience and someone who sees that the designers I buy from take care of "their people", I'm happy to pay these prices. I prefer a costume that is designed well and made well by people who are paid a living wage.

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

As someone with a lot of sewing experience and someone who sees that the designers I buy from take care of "their people", I'm happy to pay these prices. I prefer a costume that is designed well and made well by people who are paid a living wage.

Word.

As a tangent - that's one thing I worry about when buying cheap no-name designer Egyptian costumes - who is making them, in what conditions, and for how much? Go around the corner of Khan El Khalili and you'll see the "factories" - usually just a few women, and children, in a room, sewing.

Anyone can start a factory and Egypt and sell costumes. I know one person who did just that - and hired on two seamstresses, paying them about $100 a month.

...

A slightly different aspect that a novice may not be aware of: In contrast to many of the things we are used to buying, costumes tend to keep their value very well. With very few exceptions, a quality costume can be resold for between 50 and 100% of the price paid and will often serve a string of owners throughout their lifetime.