Thread: Help me confirm....Madam Alba? "old style" RED costume

ANYONE? Please help me confirm that is costume is a Madam Alba?

I plan to buy this from a friend who had neck and hip surgery and is not able to dance much these days because of it. This is an AWESOME vintage like costume. The dancer friend got it from Audrena about 10 years ago and was positive it is an older style Pharonics, however no tags to prove it. The response here indicates this instead is a Madam Abla. The quality is obvious!!! This costume is loaded with real rhinestones and crystals. When you look at the photo, the white lines and designs are all RHINESTONES. The costume was only worn a couple times and is in very good shape. The bra has extra straps that were added which can be removed. At this time I have decided not to sell it. Would any of you happen to have a costume like this one and if so, would you post a photo to help me confirm this is an Alba? Thank you for your time!!




Attachment 20065

Gorgeous

Originally Posted by LuLudances

Gorgeous

Thanks Lulu, pictures do not do this justice!

Is the skirt attached to the belt?

that looks like an abla beautiful

Originally Posted by Yolanda

Is the skirt attached to the belt?

Hi Yolanda, Yes the skirt is attached to the belt.

Originally Posted by EzmaSiddiqah

that looks like an abla beautiful

You know, I was thinking the same thing when my friend showed me the costume. She claims that it is a Pharonics. The style is that of a Madam Abla. However, the straps around the neck, the top of the bra, as well as the top of the belt has these scalloped edges which is very signature Pharonics. Either way, the quality is up there, in my opinion.

Very nice. ..g.:

Originally Posted by LMargaretDancer

You know, I was thinking the same thing when my friend showed me the costume. She claims that it is a Pharonics. The style is that of a Madam Abla. However, the straps around the neck, the top of the bra, as well as the top of the belt has these scalloped edges which is very signature Pharonics. Either way, the quality is up there, in my opinion.

About ten years ago, I bought a similar Madam Abla but it green. It had the same scalloped edges. I suspect it's a Madam Abla, too.

I also thought it was an Abla immediately when I saw it.

Originally Posted by ZohraMostafa

About ten years ago, I bought a similar Madam Abla but it green. It had the same scalloped edges. I suspect it's a Madam Abla, too.

Hi! How you doing? ..g.:

Originally Posted by ZohraMostafa

About ten years ago, I bought a similar Madam Abla but it green. It had the same scalloped edges. I suspect it's a Madam Abla, too.

Very cool, hey that is even better!! Maybe its a Madam Abla after all! I think I am going to keep it then. I will work with a seamstress and get it to fit. I always wanted a Madam Abla.... If anyone here has any photos, more insight, etc that will help me confirm that it is a Madam Abla, I would really appreciate it. In the meantime I plan to post this on the costume section. Thanks!!!

Originally Posted by Lauren_

I also thought it was an Abla immediately when I saw it.

Me too. I'm pretty sure I've seen ones just like this in the turquoise international store.

It's an Abla or at least an Abla style. I had one just like it that came from the lady herself. Turquoise still carries them. I've never seen a Pharaonics that looked anything like it. Pretty pretty!

It looks like an Abla to me.

Originally Posted by LMargaretDancer

Very cool, hey that is even better!! Maybe its a Madam Alba after all! I think I am going to keep it then. I will work with a seamstress and get it to fit. I always wanted a Madam Alba.... If anyone here has any photos, more insight, etc that will help me confirm that it is a Madam Alba, I would really appreciate it. In the meantime I plan to post this on the costume section. Thanks!!!

It is the classic style designed by Madame Abla (not Alba). But there were a LOT of knockoffs of this style. Here's a whole page of them on Turquoise, which they describe as 'inspired by' Madame Abla.

https://turquoiseintl.com/store/inde...cPath=28_48_83

Someone like Dahlal, who worked closely with Madame Abla when she was alive, might be able to give an educated guess on close inspection. But I don't think anyone can be certain, without labels.

So many times the head seamstress of a designer will take off on her own, or be hired by a different house, and produce knockoffs of varying quality. It can sometimes be impossible to tell, even for someone in the industry.

But then if you can't tell... does the difference matter?

You said that the bra has extra straps. A trademark of Abla bras is the double strap--a neck strap and an over the shoulder strap. None of my Ablas have tags. But there is a reason why Ablas last forever--they were made to be DANCED in. Firm even stitches, good cotton linings, rock solid hooks and perfect bead work.

Originally Posted by Souzan

You said that the bra has extra straps. A trademark of Abla bras is the double strap--a neck strap and an over the shoulder strap. None of my Ablas have tags. But there is a reason why Ablas last forever--they were made to be DANCED in. Firm even stitches, good cotton linings, rock solid hooks and perfect bead work.

This one has all of these, and I did mess up the spelling, Abla. All corrected now. thanks

Originally Posted by Lauren_

It is the classic style designed by Madame Abla (not Alba). But there were a LOT of knockoffs of this style. Here's a whole page of them on Turquoise, which they describe as 'inspired by' Madame Abla.

https://turquoiseintl.com/store/inde...cPath=28_48_83

Someone like Dahlal, who worked closely with Madame Abla when she was alive, might be able to give an educated guess on close inspection. But I don't think anyone can be certain, without labels.

So many times the head seamstress of a designer will take off on her own, or be hired by a different house, and produce knockoffs of varying quality. It can sometimes be impossible to tell, even for someone in the industry.

But then if you can't tell... does the difference matter?

I think I know what I have now, the "Madam Abla" style from Turquoise International. It matches one of the red ones. Whether this is a knock off or not, I have it in my house and it really is an exceptionally made costume. I try my best to be honest in my dealings. My friend was misinformed. It definitely is not a Pharonics and at this point maybe not even an original Madam Abla (meaning designed by her hands). I believe it most closely resembles the knock off from Turquoise International. I have taken it off the market but I will make sure I direct the potential buyer to the weblink if/when I decide to sell it.

Thanks everyone for your input. I think the "mystery" is solved. ..g.:

Originally Posted by LMargaretDancer

I think I know what I have now, the "Madam Abla" style from Turquoise International. It matches one of the red ones. Whether this is a knock off or not, I have it in my house and it really is an exceptionally made costume. I try my best to be honest in my dealings. My friend was misinformed. It definitely is not a Pharonics and at this point maybe not even an original Madam Abla (meaning designed by her hands). I believe it most closely resembles the knock off from Turquoise International. I have taken it off the market but I will make sure I direct the potential buyer to the weblink if/when I decide to sell it.

Thanks everyone for your input. I think the "mystery" is solved. ..g.:

The "Abla style" costumes are made by her family members who have kept her workshop open after her death and still produces some of her designs. So it may be difficult to tell if it was before or after her death. I haven't personally seen any of the more recent "Abla styles" in person so can't vouch for the quality. All my Ablas were made when she was alive. And I plan on keeping them FOREVER!

Originally Posted by Souzan

The "Abla style" costumes are made by her family members who have kept her workshop open after her death and still produces some of her designs. So it may be difficult to tell if it was before or after her death. I haven't personally seen any of the more recent "Abla styles" in person so can't vouch for the quality. All my Ablas were made when she was alive. And I plan on keeping them FOREVER!

Hi Souzan. I appreciate your input. I have seen (and tried on) an "original" Abla and I currently have this one, I believe the quality is very similar