Thread: Golden Age, yet another themed costume -opinions needed

because I don't have enough of my own. The song, Ma Allee Wo El Telo, the costume ... something that evokes the age. I am in love with the idea of the heavy belly cover and the broadly striped but hugger with the layered skirts ala (I think it was) Tahia in the middle of the night club surrounded by the rich and the famous. I would like to evoke the black and white of the old movie ..any ideas?

Sweeeeet! One of my favorite vintage costumes ever even!

I love how gold and sapphire blue look together: Andalee remade a gold workhorse she bought from me into a beautiful gold and blue set. If you could find gold lace or (oh, God, what is the name of that fabric with the print woven in) it would make a really pretty skirt.

Those awesome mesh necklaces that have made a comeback would make a pretty belly drape.

I've worked with that new lame' metallic fabric that's black on the back...not too bad to work with and very shiny. As a matter of fact my favorite gold harem pants are made out it. Tissue or satin lame' might lend a more vintage look though.

If you need some paillettes, bugles, or scraps of the new lame' I have some left from making my gold costume. PM me if you'd like them.

liquid Lame would definitely work for this. It looks as though the skirt is a full circle, attached to the belt with the belt hooking in front. So chance are it's a 1/2 circle in back and 1/4 on either side. For the skirt I would use Persian lace if you can get it or in the 80's there was this great fabric which looked like it was satin ribbons and chiffon.

One treatment for the belt you might think about is to get beaded trim and use that for the banding.

As for keeping the black and white feel, that's a little trickier. I would have to get more info on what you mean.

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by anala

I am in love with the idea of the heavy belly cover

Spool of chain from the craft store? You could get a lot of belly drape out of 10-12 yards of fine gauge, costume-jewelry chain. Or you could mix different styles of chain.

and the broadly striped but hugger with the layered skirts ala

Did you try searching somewhere like Spandex House for "metallic stripe"? I don't see anything as wide as Taheya's stripes, but they have some possibilities. You could also make your own on a belt form. I would think stripes are more straightforward than trying to bead some elaborate, symmetric, geometric design.

I would like to evoke the black and white of the old movie ..any ideas?

I'm assuming you mean that you just want the costume style, not that you're going whole hog. Last week on SYTYCD, they had a couple doing a piece as living statues where they were completely painted with gray body paint, so, yeah, you could go that route and wear a black-and-silver costume and paint yourself gray, like you literally stepped out of an old movie, but...um, probably not. I like the idea of black and silver, though (if that goes with your complexion). Because we're used to picturing these costumes without color, they sort of feel like black and silver, although without seeing a production still, this costume might have been dark green and gold for all we know.

Originally Posted by Doozer

(oh, God, what is the name of that fabric with the print woven in)

Jacquard? I suppose you could also use a burnout velvet.

I have seen a dancer on film do the whole white face thing, and it was very cool, but at my age, I would just look corpse like. I spent a lot of time on spandex world last night and couldnt find the wide stripe either. There are some pretty nice geometric sequined fabrics and the African lace looks rather Persian lace like, but I dont know what kind of "hand" it has. I like Tahiras idea of the stretch sequined bands fashioned into a belt and bra cover, but it may be too puffy to get that "painted on the butt cheeks" closeness. I wonder if black and gold will be evocative enough for my purpose, as black and silver is not good on me. The first costume reads gold to me as it is not white enough to be silver. I think she may have had a fabric drape behind the belly drape to give it a more opaque look. I am pretty sure her skirt is sewn onto the bottom edge of the belt to achieve that kind of fit. The wide straps and epaulets are a must, dont you think?

Originally Posted by anala

I have seen a dancer on film do the whole white face thing, and it was very cool, but at my age, I would just look corpse like.

I understand completely. I think the stepped-out-of-a-movie routine would be difficult to pull off in the real world. It's moving past the concept of "dance as entertainment" and into "performance art." Finding a venue and an audience that could appreciate the work behind such a piece wouldn't be trivial.

There are some pretty nice geometric sequined fabrics and the African lace looks rather Persian lace like, but I dont know what kind of "hand" it has.

Do they sell sample cards?

I like Tahiras idea of the stretch sequined bands fashioned into a belt and bra cover, but it may be too puffy to get that "painted on the butt cheeks" closeness.

I thought about that, too. I wonder if you could cheat and layer an iridescent illusion net over a non-shiny stripe? I think you'd have to keep the layers free-floating for the skirt, though. I also thought about whether it would be feasible to quilt separate colors of shiny fabric into stripes, but I'm afraid that would be a miserable and difficult task to get everything lined up neatly.

I wonder if black and gold will be evocative enough for my purpose, as black and silver is not good on me.

I'm sure gold would be fine. Actually, I feel any dark color (deep purple, navy, dark chocolate, burgundy) for the base fabric would work. You're really going as much for mood as historical recreation. You could think of it like Reda's Melaya Leff costume--it's not necessarily what someone actually wore, but more of a wistful, whimsical interpretation of a memory.

The first costume reads gold to me as it is not white enough to be silver. I think she may have had a fabric drape behind the belly drape to give it a more opaque look.

Yes, could be...

I am pretty sure her skirt is sewn onto the bottom edge of the belt to achieve that kind of fit.

That would be my guess, too. I would have expected more bulk for a separate belt.

The wide straps and epaulets are a must, dont you think?

Yes, and the bandeau-style shirring at the front of the bra.

A six inch sample (in height)

Originally Posted by anala

A six inch sample (in height)

This fabric looks like it might be the match for it. Spandex World Inc. spandex fabric, lycra stretch fabric

Did you see these, too? This one is gold sequins on black (I think the black is matte.) Spandex World Inc. spandex fabric, lycra stretch fabric

Could you do copper and black? Spandex World Inc. spandex fabric, lycra stretch fabric

Some fabulous sequined striped materials:
Stretch all over sequin fabric

Stretch all over sequin fabric

Stretch all over sequin fabric

Embroidered Fabric Sell Mesh Sequin Embroidery Fabric,mesh embroidery,sequin,spangle,Mesh Fabric ,Knitted Fabric ,Fabric - Trade Offers - Mesh Fabric ,Knitted Fabric ,FabricShaoxing Qinhai Textile Co., Ltd.

not sure if you want the rainbow on black look, but just in case it's an option...

RAINBOW HOLOGRAM STRIPES LYCRA 150cmx150cm wide | eBay

kinda pricey, though...

or buy this dress and re-do it...

DRESSY BLACK AND GOLD STRIPES DRESS | eBay

The only way I would consider creating this type costume would be to make the bases from a sturdy fabric and cover with sequins. Only you would know the actual monetary investment, the end-result would be my goal.

The skirt could be made from a knit backed, printed lame. I seem to recall seeing something similar on some of Eshta's designs.

Great searching ladies! Many of those stripes are only 3 sequins wide. How 'bout this? Do it yourself sequins on a base..that would take me a year! This is a stage performance in October.

You could use the elastic sequin bands and saw them together, lots of color choices here and they come in different width. If you overlap them a bit it will give a more raised effect.
2 1/4" 6-Row Stretch Sequin

Originally Posted by anala

Great searching ladies! Many of those stripes are only 3 sequins wide. How 'bout this? Do it yourself sequins on a base..that would take me a year! This is a stage performance in October.

Very nice! Do you have it yet?

Nah..I just started shopping, I really wish it was a broad stripe...sigh...

Black and gold would be beautiful on you, Anala, but I'd also say don't reject the idea of color. The Golden Age look is in mostly in the lines and the fit and the mix of materials -- you could get it with gold and a brilliant jewel tone, too. I always thought the red-and-gold costume you sold to Bashusha a while ago could easily go in that direction.

I'm sure you're you're right about the way the fit of that skirt is achieved. In the Pharaonics costumes that have that skirt line, the "belt" part of the design is beaded directly onto heavy lycra, and the skirt fabric is attached at the bottom edge only. I have a Samia Gamal set that's built that way -- if it would be helpful to have photos or measurements of the inside, just let me know. If you still have the red Christina skirt from forever ago, that could be a useful guide as well. The yoke is often a little longer, but the construction is the same.

Pharaonics Samia Gamal 2004:
http://www.audrena.com/AudrenasCostumes-ph-6025.php
http://bellydancestore.biz/gallery.p...roductId=12289

Christina skirts:
http://people.tribe.net/eshta/blog/f...5-fd46acc64e64
http://www.bhuz.com/bellydance-swap-...skirt-set.html
http://www.bhuz.com/british-swap-mee...skirt-set.html

Originally Posted by anala

Do it yourself sequins on a base..that would take me a year! This is a stage performance in October.

Sorry, I should have mentioned wide sequin trim. While in Hancock's Fabrics a few weeks ago I saw trim that was 2-3" wide. It would be fast and easy to attach. No way would I consider single sequins or single strands of fringe.

Planing for an October performance - indeed noble. I trust you will share pix of your creation.

The genius of the old costume is in the line where it hits on the butt. Notice the seam in the back hits at the point of the maximum "jiggle factor" just one or two inches above the cheek/thigh fold. The modern versions miss that detail. The gather on the skirt seams to be the fullest in that area as well, giving great transfer of movement to the back of the skirt...no need for fringe there! The belt portion is higher over the hips than the modern line, and dips in below the navel. I am going to need a huge hank of two foot fringe! I dont remember the red and gold...how sad is that? Did I let a good set go?

Showtime...that would be a nice easy solution except the trim doesnt have a "flattened aspect".

Heh. I've been googling around for pics of it for myself and nearly asked if you had any. It was a really nice revamp -- you had done a very pretty job of adding fabric to the fully beaded base of both bra and belt. There was a photo of you dancing happily in it at the coffeeshop venue, I think, and another one posing outdoors, and another posing with the troupe. If my encyclopedic memory for costumes is correct, you wore it with the pink and gold chiffon sleeves and skirt. :)

I wanted to a) steal ideas for enlarging the peacock I just bought from salsabelly here and b) figure out whether I should try to wheedle it away from Ms. Bashusha.

A blank is drawn. I wore red with pink!!!??? No way!

I swears. Do you have a gallery other than the Shuvani site? Maybe a Photobucket page or a set on Flickr with show or swap photos. I'll find it for you!

Another discussion on this from a while back:
Creating the Samia Gamal/Golden Age Look

Originally Posted by anala

The belt portion is higher over the hips than the modern line, and dips in below the navel.

that sounds very much like the Hoda Zaki belts

Nope, Suzana, thats it...all the pix I got.

I found my belt fabric. I have a killer 80s beaded formal in my stash. Black silk fabric beaded with gold bugle beads so dense you cant see the black base. The beading is ...tiger stripes... but very elegantly done in a curved stripe about an inch and a half wide. I have taken it apart and held various pieces up to my tush to see the effect. Fabulous!!! Now..what type of skirt fabric shall I use? Color and type? The original appears to be a tone on tone stripe as well.

Score! 15 bucks on ebay. Metal mesh necklace with a few rust spots. This will be the base for the bellydrape.

Originally Posted by anala

I wonder if black and gold will be evocative enough for my purpose, as black and silver is not good on me. The first costume reads gold to me as it is not white enough to be silver.

I've always thought of those costumes as being black and gold, in my mind's eye--to me, gold would read more vintage and thus more old film than silver would.

Can someone clue me into a type of fabric that has the opaque swingy look I need? Chiffon isnt going to do it.

Stretch satin has really nice drape with all of the shine but none of the stiffness. For that matter, you could use a light- or mid-weight Lycra. Charmeuse or georgette might be good choices for a woven. Unless you're doing a special order, a lot will come down to what you can find in the fabric store. Gold may be harder to match, but black should be readily available.

Light weight Lycra seems like a good choice. The original seems to have have a tone on tone stripe cut on the bias. This is a really nice counterpoint to the Pharonic stripes on the belt. My belt has a more organic stripe, plantlike stripe, like long thin curved leaves. When seen as a dress, it gives the illusion of a tiger, but when seen as a belt, it is more art noveau. I was looking all over for a damask, but it seems to be used as an upholstery fabric theses days. An antique gold would be optimal.