Thread: Show me your signature costume that you would never, EVER sell!

Hello, Ladies!

After spending an embarrassing number of hours on the Swap Meet perusing all of the costumes that dancers are trying to sell, I thought to myself: Here we are, posting hundreds of pics of costumes that we want to sell--costumes that are old, don't fit us, don't inspire us, aren't our favorite style/color/design motif, etc.

What I'd really LOVE to see is pics of all you ladies in your absolute FAVORITE costume--the costume that fits perfectly, look terrific, and inspires you to dance your best every time you put it on! It doesn't have to be just one costume...if you have several in your collection that you feel strongly about, please post all of them!

Also, I'd like to know: What is it that you love about these cossies? Is it the color, the design, the comfort...what makes that costume THE perfect costume for you? Please share with all of us!


I guess I'll get the ball rolling here by waxing poetic about MY signature costume:

My hot pink Mumtaz!











What I love about this costume is the awesome color, the AMAAAAAZING trumpet skirt, (which works perfectly for spins), the crazy amount of swarovski crystals it has, and the ingenious and flattering system of a elastic built into the hips and waist that simultaneously hold the costume up AND flatter my rather large hips and rear end. Overall, I couldn't be more thrilled with this costume, and I look forward to dancing in it for many, many years to come!

I can't wait to see your costumes, ladies! Share away!

I'm not one to say never, ever. I don't believe that items have permanence in my life. But the costume I would be the least likely to sell would be my vintage purple costume. It happens to go perfectly with this Akai silk skirt and veil combo.

I bought this on my first trip to Istanbul from Gülseren. That was 1996.
Meanwhile I have bought and sold many costumes, but this one will always stay with me. Yes, superfringe





More recent but also very much loved is this bra-belt set from Legend Costumes that is so versatile:







MEISSOUN

This one is my favorite:



I think the color is perfect for me. The slit in one leg emphasizes my long legs, which I feel are a good feature for me.

Of my bra/belt/skirt sets, this one is my favorite:

I'll never say never either. I've had a few offers for this costume but I've had a hard time parting with it although I may one day do so. I wish I had a picture to do this costume justice. I love the color orange, fuschia and gold and it looks fabulous on the stage. But what makes the costume special is the sari fabric that I found in an Indian store decades ago. It sat in my closet for years because I didn't know what do with it. It was a satin like fabric with swirls of orange fushia blended together with gold embroidery. But one day I sat with my costume designer, throwing swatches of fringe and different color jewels on the fabric and eventually a masterpiece was born. I don't really have a good picture of this costume but you can see the vibrant colors in the photo. The colors are washed out in the video but you can see the costume better. Also, I'm not wearing the neckpiece in this photo but you can see it in the video.
http://people.tribe.net/c3bd303f-511...2-b75548d52a79

[IMG][/IMG]

As with a few of my costumes, they were originally the fabulous Candi Bell's. She's not that keen on one-pieces and I love 'em so my gain. I also have a love of folkloric dance ( and intend spending as much time exploring it as I can) so the gelabeya is becoming a real favourite. This one has to have the edge..it's just one big sparkle!

all of them are gorgeous but PassionWarfare-- omg that pink is my dream costume!

Originally Posted by mlacombe

all of them are gorgeous but PassionWarfare-- omg that pink is my dream costume!

Thank you so much, dear! I know exactly what you mean....the minute Faraasha posted it on the Retail Swap Meet, I snatched it up! Believe it or not, Faraasha has another pink Mumtaz in a very similar fabric and style on the Swap Meet right now! Check it out here:

http://www.bhuz.com/showthread.php/5...ith-ab-crystal


Ladies, you all look FABULOUS! I'm seriously drooling over here!

Nancy: The purple suits you perfectly! And the matching dyed skirt and veil are TO DIE FOR!

Meissoun: Those are two fringe-a-licious masterpieces, dear! That purple Legend is GORGEOUS. Both look fantastic on you!

Shira: Lookin' good, sista! I'm a total sucker for pink, and that dress is sooo sassy and fun! You definitely know how to work it!

Norma: You are NOT kidding! I LOOOVE the orange costume! You can pull off that color orange better than just about anyone. Your costume seamstress did an AMAZING job!

Liza: That sparkly galabeya freakin' rocks! I love that action shot of you, dear! After seeing how it looks on you, Miss Candi is going to want it back!

Keep 'em coming, ladies!

I love this no name bedlah I bought here on Bhuz... it's really versatile and can go with many skirts and veils.

I'm not sure if I would NEVER sell certain costumes, but I tend to horde fringe-monster-vintage types. My style has been evolving, but I've finally come to love the vintage, fringe monster, super full skirts, and endless wave/ruffle harem pants look. I recently got a blue and turquoise abla which is totally me... probably not going to let go of that one till I retire. I'll have to get some pics up later. :)

ETA: And on the topic of how this sort of costuming inspires me. The style makes me feel so exotic, flamboyant, and confident.

Here are my pics! I wear this red bedlah a ton and just got the blue abla, but it's going to be a well used favorite. I typically go with the fringy, fluffy, vintage, multi-layered look as typified by these pics. Pardon the messed up/wet hair and lack of makeup. I really need to get some professional pics done in these soon.

wow, everybody looks amazing! Jewels, the coloring in that photo, that costume on you and the background, is awesome!!

A friend just sent me this video (with a request for the costume, ha!) of me in my custom Eshta. It's an L. Rose beledi dress I had her bling out for me, and it's sooo comfortable. It's the only one that fits me well at the moment...and seems to fit no matter what (albiet I definitely need more bOOb coverage if I'm going to stay this size).

I am going through a weird phase at the moment where I am actually thinking about selling the majority of my costumes. Now, before anyone gets excited, that probably won't happen.

The ones which I am least likely to sell, and I think most people connect with me, are my two vintage coin costumes. Both of which can be seen in my Youtube videos.

{{{HUGS}}}

Just by sheer luck (and coaxing from Amartia for the Red and Jewels for the Coral) I got both of these and love them. The best part is that they will fit me at my biggest and smallest sizes and no way will I sell them.

I would say I do not have a signature costume- I have costumes that I am in love with at that moment in time. I hardly ever part with any costume... (certainly the ones i make) But I do have a costume that I think I shall never be able to part with- I dont wear it much- but it is like a museum piece in my heart- my Mata Hari:








More about the costume : http://shakemyday.com/site/2007/07/mata-hari-unveiled/

Wow! Sarah that is gorgeous on you!

My red ruffle Bella. It was made after my own sketch by Bella and I discussed the sketch with them 2 times until all the details were clear.

It turned out perfectly like I wanted it, it is my most worn costume and still in perfect condition (except some fading sequins on the shoulder ruffles). Love it to death!

I'm so fickle, my signature costume is always the next one that I'm drawing.

This coin set will stick around for a while:

Meissoun: I would love to see close-ups of that Legend, if you have any!

I feel very attached to all the costumes I have at the moment, but I consider this my signature look:




I also don't think I'll ever be able to part with my rainbow tiered skirt or my Bedouin dress:

Skirt.jpg Bedouin.jpg

Sha-ri, great design! A good red costume is a very useful thing to have and yours is perfect! Love the flowers.

Ainsley, right now I don't have a close-up, but you can see the costume in various combinations in my gallery (live as well as studio shots) - the great thing is that it looks very different depending on what skirt I wear with it. Hurray for the multi-color bra-belt set! (I think I need another one )
Oh, and there are two videos of me dancing in it on http://www.youtube.com/meissoun#g/u

MEISSOUN

I am so pleased lizajuk that that galabeya found a great home with you-you look amazing in it
My fave costume has to be my flowers eman i have extra flowers and keep changing the look slightly and sometimes I light it up with LED-its outrageous and I love it.

Originally Posted by lizajuk

[IMG][/IMG]

As with a few of my costumes, they were originally the fabulous Candi Bell's. She's not that keen on one-pieces and I love 'em so my gain. I also have a love of folkloric dance ( and intend spending as much time exploring it as I can) so the gelabeya is becoming a real favourite. This one has to have the edge..it's just one big sparkle!

I'm a sucker for big sparkle. Who made the costume?

Originally Posted by bellydancerinfo

I would say I do not have a signature costume- I have costumes that I am in love with at that moment in time. I hardly ever part with any costume... (certainly the ones i make) But I do have a costume that I think I shall never be able to part with- I dont wear it much- but it is like a museum piece in my heart- my Mata Hari:








More about the costume : http://shakemyday.com/site/2007/07/mata-hari-unveiled/

Wow! You look amazing!

Originally Posted by norma

Wow! You look amazing!

Sarah's headpiece is something out of this world! I don't really like headpieces but this one looks gorgeous!

Originally Posted by norma

I'll never say never either. I've had a few offers for this costume but I've had a hard time parting with it although I may one day do so. I wish I had a picture to do this costume justice. I love the color orange, fuschia and gold and it looks fabulous on the stage. But what makes the costume special is the sari fabric that I found in an Indian store decades ago. It sat in my closet for years because I didn't know what do with it. It was a satin like fabric with swirls of orange fushia blended together with gold embroidery. But one day I sat with my costume designer, throwing swatches of fringe and different color jewels on the fabric and eventually a masterpiece was born. I don't really have a good picture of this costume but you can see the vibrant colors in the photo. The colors are washed out in the video but you can see the costume better. Also, I'm not wearing the neckpiece in this photo but you can see it in the video.
http://people.tribe.net/c3bd303f-511...2-b75548d52a79

I have always drooled over your costumes (and dancing) Norma! Fringe is our friend.

I don't know if your pms are working please email me at nadirah at bellydancingdivas dot come so i can pay you the ballance for the wonder women belt.

for now my white Sim

Here's the old thread for additional ogling!

http://www.bhuz.com/showthread.php/2...ll-NEVER-sell?

ETA: AND OMG I sold the costume that I said I would never sell. That's how I roll.

I love this thread!

Here are my current favourites.
Loooove this eman, although I need to lose a couple of kgs to fit into it again



And I adore my leopard print Bella:

Originally Posted by PrincessNadirah

I don't know if your pms are working please email me at nadirah at bellydancingdivas dot come so i can pay you the ballance for the wonder women belt.

Sent you an e-mail, dear! Thanks for reminding me!

Originally Posted by Nouria

Sarah's headpiece is something out of this world! I don't really like headpieces but this one looks gorgeous!

AWW shucks guys- thanks for all your warm comments.

Yes Nouria- i think bellydancers should get more into big head pieces! I am dreaming of a big crown. LOL I know it seems crazy but every now and then costumes just seem to not have enouph bling LOL!!!!!!