Thread: Lebanese Bellydance Costumes

I have a friend who is in Lebanon right now. He is bringing me some souvenirs.

Does anyone know who designs costumes there and where to get them?

Any advice would be great.

I have a really pretty costume that is designed by Ghada-I think she is in Lebanon. I don't know how to contact her, but I'll dig up a pic of the costume.

very beautiful!!

I was wondering also, if they are mostly custom made to order or if there is actual costume shops?

Meissoun would know! She's not on Bhuz much lately, but you can probably find her and PM her through the site still? She also used to have a website with info about costumers. I remember her having info about Cairo and Istanbul, specifically, but it seems like she made frequent trips to Beirut as well. She's one of the few dancers I know who teaches Lebanese style.

Mark Balahadia would probably know also. He's moving -- or has already moved? -- there, but again, you can PM him through Bhuz or google him.

I LOVE classic Lebanese style costuming - those bra/belt sets withe the chunky beadwork, and the fluffy skirts! Wish there was a source for them in the US!

Found this: Katya Faris - Explore the Art of Middle Eastern Dance » Lebanese Bellydance Costumes by Shahraman Designs of Beirut

Originally Posted by kiyaana

Found this: Katya Faris - Explore the Art of Middle Eastern Dance » Lebanese Bellydance Costumes by Shahraman Designs of Beirut

Mmmmm! Those are prettyyyyyy and differents from what we usually see. Me likey! ..g.:

Thx

Qamar

Originally Posted by Qamar60

Mmmmm! Those are prettyyyyyy and differents from what we usually see. Me likey! ..g.:

Thx

Qamar

Me too! Very typical of costuming I've seen on Lebanese dancers.

Wish they had more instock items. Or maybe I don't! .w.:

ohh i've seen those designs before. they are all so very yummy!!

There is no costume shops in the "Cairo way"in Lebanon with a lot in stock,the costumes there are more atelier work.

I would *NOT* agree that the difference is the lebanese costumiers:"differ from Egyptian costumes in that they are known for using authentic Swarovski crystals",quoute Katia Faris site.

Bedlas are often beaded with super chunky plastic beads,and the skirts often have high slits.
Experimenting with patterened fabrics is something that lebanese designers have done more than the egyptian.
I think Tony&Robbie makes costumes that are good,in the lebanese tradition and like Ghada Njem but Fouad Sarkis is my favorite(and out of my price range,sadly)

I actually had this costume. Katya Faris - Explore the Art of Middle Eastern Dance » shahraman-black-11

Traded at an workshop to Nina Amaya.
So pretty and very well made.

Originally Posted by kamaracini

I actually had this costume. Katya Faris - Explore the Art of Middle Eastern Dance » shahraman-black-11

Traded at an workshop to Nina Amaya.
So pretty and very well made.

Lovely!I especially like the appliques on the shoulder bands!

One thing I noticed is that many dancers wear Tony&Robbie designs,maybe because some of the dancers on contracts in the gulf+Lebanon are brazilian?

Anyway I wonder who made Amani´s costumes?
This one still feels modern and summery fresh to me:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=subzut7gavg&feature=related]YouTube - AMANI EL OMR/SOLO DERBAKE AND BALADI[/ame]

I'm late to this thread!

Rony Eid (who is on facebook) makes costumes for most of the dancers in Lebanon. Suha Deeb gets her costumes done by him. I have seen Rony's costumes up close and the quality is superior to higher end Egyptian costumes. Rony was trained in haute couture. His bead work is very luxurious and detailed, using innovative beading techniques. His costumes are NOT cheap. Also Rony is currently very busy because he is also managing Lebanese singer, Viviane Azar. He is still doing work from his atelier in Antelias, North of Beirut.

It's definitely an investment but Lebanese costumes are in my opinion superor to Egyptian and Turkish costumes in construction, beading and innovative use of pattern and colour.

Currently, I'm seeing if there is interest overseas for Lebanese costumes and hopefully, I can start selling some costumes on my website. Any interest?

Was busy in Istanbul last week, so I'm a late-comer too...

The only costumes I was offered in Beirut were second hand-costumes. Some of them looked rather selfmade and probably were.

I once asked Amani who made her costumes and she said something like: "I can give you his contact if you can affort him....?" Which didn't sound too promising, so I never asked for details.

Generally, I would not ask a friend to bring me a costume as a "souvenir".
Especially if it's a non-dancer.
It's difficult enough to find a well-fitting costume when you go shopping in person!

MEISSOUN

Ahh! I can't read Russian!

Ëèâàíñêèé ìîäåëüåð êîñòþìîâ äëÿ òàíöà æèâîòà Roni Eid

Not good for the costume obsession...

Originally Posted by meissoun

... Generally, I would not ask a friend to bring me a costume as a "souvenir".

Especially if it's a non-dancer.

Oh dear! .w.: Yay, here comes the "Airport Special"!

Qamar

Originally Posted by emma-bessa

There is no costume shops in the "Cairo way"in Lebanon with a lot in stock,the costumes there are more atelier work.

I would *NOT* agree that the difference is the lebanese costumiers:"differ from Egyptian costumes in that they are known for using authentic Swarovski crystals",quoute Katia Faris site.

Bedlas are often beaded with super chunky plastic beads,and the skirts often have high slits.
Experimenting with patterened fabrics is something that lebanese designers have done more than the egyptian.
I think Tony&Robbie makes costumes that are good,in the lebanese tradition and like Ghada Njem but Fouad Sarkis is my favorite(and out of my price range,sadly)

There are super cheap Egyptian costumes out there, too, dear. There is just more volume of costumes in Egypt. I can assure you that the highest quality Lebanese costumes *DO* have Swarovski crystals, and are known for that; just ask Shahraman or Amani. She is selling her costumes at Amani's festival this June, and everything she makes is one of a kind. That is another thing that separates these from Egyptian designers; everything is couture, she does not make a design and replicate it in any color, size, etc. I see the merit in doing that for the designer, but for dancers it leaves us with having costumes that are not unique and everyone has.

I am selling several of Shahraman Palace Designs used costumes of mine on the Swap Meet! Check it out!

http://www.bhuz.com/bellydance-swap-...tml#post963372

http://www.bhuz.com/bellydance-swap-...tml#post962620

http://www.bhuz.com/bellydance-swap-...tml#post962623

http://www.bhuz.com/bellydance-swap-...tml#post962625

http://www.bhuz.com/bellydance-swap-...tml#post962627

Originally Posted by meissoun

Was busy in Istanbul last week, so I'm a late-comer too...

The only costumes I was offered in Beirut were second hand-costumes. Some of them looked rather selfmade and probably were.

I once asked Amani who made her costumes and she said something like: "I can give you his contact if you can affort him....?" Which didn't sound too promising, so I never asked for details.

Generally, I would not ask a friend to bring me a costume as a "souvenir".
Especially if it's a non-dancer.
It's difficult enough to find a well-fitting costume when you go shopping in person!

MEISSOUN

Hi dear; Shahraman Palace Designs of Beirut is Amani's offical costume designer for her festival now!! She will be there in June with several creations. Check her out if you're going!!!

Originally Posted by emma-bessa

There is no costume shops in the "Cairo way"in Lebanon with a lot in stock,the costumes there are more atelier work.

I would *NOT* agree that the difference is the lebanese costumiers:"differ from Egyptian costumes in that they are known for using authentic Swarovski crystals",quoute Katia Faris site.

Bedlas are often beaded with super chunky plastic beads,and the skirts often have high slits.
Experimenting with patterened fabrics is something that lebanese designers have done more than the egyptian.
I think Tony&Robbie makes costumes that are good,in the lebanese tradition and like Ghada Njem but Fouad Sarkis is my favorite(and out of my price range,sadly)

Here is a lovely video of Shahraman dancing at a private show in Dubai; she was on LBC a lot, too :

Originally Posted by auraevans

I have a friend who is in Lebanon right now. He is bringing me some souvenirs.

Does anyone know who designs costumes there and where to get them?

Any advice would be great.

There is Shahraman palace.
send her message on shahraman45@yahoo.com