Thread: Trend spotting

What do you want to wear/dance to/project in the next 3 years? I am getting ready to dance to Doug Adams of Light Rain with Hal Marcus on drums at the Chamizal Memorial in El Paso Texas...thanks be to Lorraine Alverez Portillo...who is also sponsoring the workshop with Mesmera the next day. (shamless plug for the financially brave people who sponsor these events) and I am looking thru the costume closet for what to wear to this rather retro music. In another thread...Bordello Belly...we were postulating about the upcoming trends in Belly Dance music and costuming. I am betting on old hippie fusion thriftshop meets Armenian/Lebanese immigrant (ala SF in the 60's 70's.)..anyone else thinking (rethinking) about leg peeps vs show em everything in the shop window?

I personally would love to see the Sohair Zaki look come back...covered (or meshed) torso with lots and lots of leg...which seems more "acceptable" for some reason in the U.S. (midriff baring automatically seems more racey than legs here). But, the GP watching belly dancers want to see *belly* so I don't have high hopes for it.

Yeay, my home town!

There seems to be a retro movement going on, in reaction to the "T" and "F" words (I dare not mention them, I've been reading the Bordello Belly thread!) and, therefore, a return to the bedlah with interchangeable full skirt and such.

I am tickled when I see older movies (from 70s) how much leg was showing, like the belt was the thickest part of the costume, the rest of the legs showing from underneath with the thin panel between the legs. I wonder what kind of undergarments they wore with those! And with products like Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs, more of us can get away with it!

On the other end of the spectrum, I also see the movement towards less "traditional" (oh no, another "T" word!) modes of costuming, such as those garters that seem to be everywhere, simulated and real. The costuming blending also comes with the dance blending.

There's nothing more retro, yet classical, than coins! I love coins! Versatile, tactile, audio component, can look trashy or classy, easy to work with/into costuming, can match any colour. There is a set of gold coins I have retrofitted at least 3 times because they are durable. Harry Saroyan's coins kick ayass. ;0)

I'm all for leg peeps, if it's done tastefully. I even like beige fishnets with shoes! Or even boy shorts with beige fishnets and shoes (shoes so that you don't have that webbed foot look).

For me personally, I'd like to invest in a few more beady costumes, as it's been awhile; I got caught up in the Eman minimalist aesthetic but I think it works with my body type b/c I'm child-sized. A little more bling and movement won't hurt. I would also like to work on dancing with more intention and subtle technique through emotional expression.

Today (in general) is an exciting time for the dance as there are so many directions to go, avenues to explore, boundaries to test. It inspires the creative process which, for society in general, is always a good thing, even though it can evoke serious discussion and disagreement, heartache. Art is not always "pretty" and should not always be "safe."

I read a wonderful quote and I can't remember the dude who said it but he said something to the effect of "Rules are made for people who do not want to/cannot make decisions." This struck me.

Anala, keep posting juicy threads! ;0)

metal makes a comeback for cab dancers. i'm on the hunt to either add to my homemade coin set or buy another.

i also just came back from joann's & my eyeballs are spinning from all the retro fabrics i saw. i feel a circle skirt coming.

finger cymbals are back.tina

I was a bit worried there on the T and F reference..my mind runs to the dirty... ;-P My first teacher was and is very conservative. She is actually my age but tends to be very covered by todays standards. One day she brought in her scrapbook with photos from the 70's. Unlike me, she has been dancing all her life..well close anyway. So there she is...Ms. "that will get you arrested in Egypt" ...showing me photos of a belt built so low it had to have a curve up in the back to keep from showin crack! 2 skirts..big circle in the back and a bitty triangle wedge in the front. Leg and Leg and more leg....I couldnt believe it! My teacher!!! I wannna look like that!

Originally Posted by tattood1

metal makes a comeback for cab dancers. i'm on the hunt to either add to my homemade coin set or buy another.

i also just came back from joann's & my eyeballs are spinning from all the retro fabrics i saw. i feel a circle skirt coming.

finger cymbals are back.tina

All of this makes me so very happy. I'm always naturally leaning towards a more Tribaret look....

Last edited by tattood1 : 12-29-2007 at 02:50 PM. Reason: cause i'm stupid

I love you!

Look for a big run on Dahlena and Cassandra dvds!

Cassandra..Yeah! Who's Dahlena? Sorry..its that cave thing...

ANALA!

Dahlena is that totally hot chick in that one totally iconic Am Cab picture with the blonde hair and the hideous chunky dance shoe on the end of her hugely exposed shapely leg.

Big name in the 60s-70s - Google will find her for you.

*I* am so retro-keen it's not funny, but I still have to make a lycra costume for me yet! We never really let the big skirt-interchangeable bedleh go here (it's the level 3 "uniform") but I would love to genuinely retro it up with coins or a metallic set, and headwear etc, for the actual class. Also, most of my L3s refuse to show their legs, silly girls. Hmm...

sorry...so sorry...I'm tellin you it's that cave thing. Remember..I am as opinionated as a 53 year old woman can be..but I have only been dancing since '02.

Originally Posted by zumarrad

ANALA!

Dahlena is that totally hot chick in that one totally iconic Am Cab picture with the blonde hair and the hideous chunky dance shoe on the end of her hugely exposed shapely leg.

Big name in the 60s-70s - Google will find her for you.

And Dahlena is still teaching and performing! She was in the DC area for workshops this summer, then blew us away with her lovely performance to live music at the show that followed. She still looks great...

I'd wager that the retro look will come back, but it'll be a little more streamlined. Possibly not as much fringe or as many layers of chiffon. Think of everyday fashion - trends come back around, but they're rarely the same once they back in style.

I wear almost all lycra costumes so I certainly plan on wearing them for a long time!

Dahlal had and still has a few retro style costumes, have you seen them?

It has also occured to me (while doing a costume modification while watching an instructional vid and cooking dinner and typing posts) that the public's eye maybe getting tired of muffin top midriffs butt crack/bra strap showing with lotsa cleavage and no leg in sight. Bring back the big split circle skirt! Thats what I'm pullin together! Satin antique gold underskirt with 2 splits with fushia and gold metal mesh lace overskirt with 2 splits (pulled to the "open position") and giant poofy fushia metal mesh lace sleeves with chunky beaded bra and belt...yeah...thats the ticket! Gabe's Cat here I come....

Am Cab. "Ethnic" 1970's style. Like Azhia says, coins and more coins -- but with chiffon and pailettes! Love the retro Dahlal's. I was wondering if anyone has them, I would love to see an action photo. There is also a pailette retro-ish one on Paganini's.

OK, maybe this is all wishful on my part. But I think double circle skirts with slits will come back in.

I hope you guys are all correct. Hey, if we ALL start doing it, maybe we can bring the retro look "back." It never totally went away. I am tired of seeing lycra costumes with no belt. I don't think they are very flattering on most women. Whereas the full skirt, bra and belt creates an hourglass shape.

It makes sense retro will be back. I'm waiting for Golden Era - that's my most favoritest style of all.

After all the bizarre crap we've seen taking BD somewhere it shouldn't go (ahem, yes IMO) - the pendulum had to swing back. I'll be very happy to see some of the trends go away.

I'm predicting more folkloric and retro, both for the reason cited above. After drinking pop day after day, you tend to want just water again.

Originally Posted by danidance

After drinking pop day after day, you tend to want just water again.

I like this! May I add: "And not just the same water as before, this one might have a twist of lemon in it, but just as refreshing!"



I make this twist of lemon comment to project my opinion on styles that "come back."

I saw a remarkable dancer recently. Her mother was my 2nd teacher's teacher (got it? can you picture it?). Her dancing was very lively, it reminded me of "back in the day" when a dancer would dance to a band that could play Turkish/Greek/Arabic/Persian/Armenian and you had to know how to play finger cymbals. I (personally, this is just me and I'm not imposing my view upon anybody) was dismayed to see that while she carried a retro air about her in her costuming, nothing about it had changed at all. It wasn't an example of taking stylistic cues from a retro period and bringing it back with creativity and flair to suit 2007. Rather, it was the same outfit (aaand even the same moves) from 20 years ago. Right down to her hair style. I imagine there are those who can appreciate this dedication to a certain time period in the dance spectrum of things. That is fine.

I am miss vintage clothing and retro hair styles and such. Bring it all back! But adapt it for a contemporary audience and dance constituency. This particular dancer's style was not for me.

Azhia,

I agree. I think twists and respectful reinventions are fabulous.

I am not getting the legs out-not for anything.My legs are definitely meant to be well encased in at least 2 layers of chiffon or velvet lycra.Enough with the retro look- it didn't do a right lot for Souheir Zaki at the time. "Thunderthighs" anyone -shudder

Oh, I hate that split skirt look--aside from on 70s album cover hotties. I need no reason to look shorter and wider!

Pahhaps, depending on the shape of one's hips, that skirt can make one look shorter and wider. I always thought, however, that it would elongate the body b/c visually you are continuing the skin view from the arms to the legs, especially if the belt is slung flatteringly low and does not create muffintop.

The full skirt is not good for me. I am 5'2" and short waisted with short legs and big boobs and wide hips (good waist-to-hip definition, but I am getting older...sigh). I am a mini-brickhouse. The trumpet/mermaid skirt is my friend.

I'm 5'10 and the legs are the last thing to go..I think Juliette Prouse said that

Originally Posted by mish_mish

The full skirt is not good for me. I am 5'2" and short waisted with short legs and big boobs and wide hips (good waist-to-hip definition, but I am getting older...sigh). I am a mini-brickhouse. The trumpet/mermaid skirt is my friend.

Yeah, those trumpet/mermaid skirts seem to flatter almost everybody. They create such a womanly shape. People forget that there were straight skirts "back in the day" too. And "ethnic style" that pre-dated ATS but included assiut, mirror cloth, headpieces, big harem pants, etc. There have always been lots of choices to suit different body types.

This is me twenty years ago, before I ever heard of ATS:

Originally Posted by anala

I'm 5'10 and the legs are the last thing to go..I think Juliette Prouse said that

Yeah! For me too! I'm only 5'6", but people always think I'm 5'10". I prefer bias a line skirts over mermaid.

Trends are important, but I can't ignore what looks good on me! Hot pink might be the fashion, but I look awful in it and full skirts make me look short and dumpy.

Who is Dahlena?!?! One of the most iconic belly dancers in the US. I take with her when she comes to Chicago every chance I get. I highly recommend her 5 day intensive :)

Here is her website: Dahlena - Home - Belly Dancing by Dahlena
Here is a youtube of her: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv1J_CGo6aU]YouTube - Dahlena American Bellydancer[/ame]
An interview: Dahlena Interview GoBellyDance.com

Originally Posted by anala

Cassandra..Yeah! Who's Dahlena? Sorry..its that cave thing...