Thread: do you still buy Neckelmanns or carnival show girl beaded sets?

I've noticed a lot of the original photos on the Neckelmanns site are down now..wonder if they switched directions?

Does anyone still actively seek out these affordable colorful beauties?

anyways am copying this from another thread:
I was just in a brazilian bikini shop..I walked in because they had the brazilian carnival/bellydance style costumes in the windows. Fell in love and purchased one that is green and turns purple.


I still LOVE LOVE LOVE the colorful chunky plastic beaded costumes with fish sequins that change color. For $200 it's hard to pass up..esp since I didn't have to pay shipping. Many of the akai color schemes can be dated back to the neckelmanns era because I made skirts and veils that would go with their wild colors.

The owner of this store in town wasn't available to talk to but the assistant says she imports them from Brazil..I left a business card because the assistant went nuts when I brought in some silks to pair up with the costumes..

One of my favorite memories of being in Cairo on a buying trip with Andrea of NeeNee's Imports was a particular costumer trying to sell us his Neckelmann's knockoffs. He couldn't understand why Andrea didn't want to bring a bunch of them back to the states. He said 'they look amazing on, let me show you' and showed us, on his computer, a photo we both recognized as coming straight from their site.

I had a couple of Neckelmann's over the years, and several of my students still have them. Some dancers put them down because they were inexpensive, had plastic beads, and needed some reinforcement -- but audiences LOVE them, they sparkle like nobody's business, and once reinforced, they're wonderfully lightweight & comfy to wear.

I stopped being interested after the last price hike though. Seemed like overnight they went from under $200 to nearly $300? IIRC. At the same time, Egyptian costumes were coming down in price.

i agree audiences do LOVE them..that's too bad if they are overlooked because they are inexpensive..some of the best costuming i've seen has been really simple closet pieces put together

Didn't know about their price hike but I'm aware there are knockoffs..unless Neckelmanns are knock offs of some other original brazilian designer? A friend of mine was selling some very similar styles on tribe way back when tribe was hot..I bought some from her they were half the price of neckelmanns at the time and pretty sturdy..

I got mine downtown LA in the garment district. I have mixed feelings about them, but I think if you have a troupe of intermediate dancers who want to invest in their costumes, these are a good option because not only are they not terribly expensive - you can get them for as low as $125 in the garment district and less second hand on e-bay - most are made with a combo of colours which lend them to being a little more versatile.

Personally though, the troupe situation is probably the only reason I would buy another one.

{{{HUGS}}}

I got mine a couple of years ago when they started selling the glass beaded ones. I love it... only the top has become a little small. I paid about 225$ for it... which given that it weighs a ton and is all glass is a fair price. I keep saying I should sell it, but just can't until I try to make the bra cup bigger. Knowing they don't make them anymore makes me want to keep it even more.

I am sad that they have changed directions, in terms of models, prices and sizes listed on their website. The chunky, bolder designs look so vintage-y, which I like a lot. And, they were refreshingly affordable.

I have one that I bought used on the swap meet. I wore it for a gig last summer where they wanted a real "princess belly dancer" look, and it was a big hit. I like that is pretty and lightweight and fun to wear.Neckelmanns.jpg

OMG Lauren, I had forgotten about that. I have nothing against a Neckelmann's costume, but I don't want to buy a knockoff from an Egyptian!

Neckelmanns are bright and showy, and audiences love them. They say 'belly dancer' to the GP more than a sleek, minimal Sahar. You need to know who will be watching you and dress appropriately IMHO. If you like what you're wearing you'll give a better performance anyway. I would not wear one at a competition where costuming is scored. the judges will expect a higher end costume with minimal plastic, but other than that go for it!

Aww, I haven't though about Necklemanns in years!! I never owned one, but I remember drooling over their website when I was a baby bellydancer :-)

I've bought 2 from bhuz and sold them before even wearing them. I like them on other belly dancers, but when I had them in hand something just didn't feel right about them IMO.

However, I think for a troupe a basic set could be nice, but only if there prices are still low.

I don't think I've ever owned one, but I can imagine dressing one up with chunky beads to resemble a Tony & Robbie.