Got my eye on Shadia now...

Anahit_Karyan · 11-13-2007, 11:55 AM

Ok, so on the recommendation of my teacher, I am seriously considering custom-ordering a costume from Shadia Tohme in the Boston area. My teacher says her costumes are less expensive than one might think, and she did see the low price range I was looking at, so she knows what I'm thinking of spending.

I've seen some of her costumes, and they are indeed lovely. In fact, the first time I saw Chantal dance in one of them, I said, "I have GOT to find out where she gets her costumes." (Like me, Chantal is, um, mammarily gifted, and I was envious of the fit of her costume.)

Has anyone here had experience with Shadia? Does anyone know if it's possible to get a costume from her that's got at least some sparkle to it for under $300? Or is even thinking about that an insult to her work? And what exactly is the procedure for getting a custom made costume? I've never had any clothing custom made for me. I imagine you start off with discussions of general info, get a rough price range for the general concept, then get into more specific fabric and decoration discussions. Yes? Something like that? How many fittings are generally needed?

--Laura

akashablue · 11-13-2007, 12:51 PM

"mammarily gifted" I love that!!!

It's me, Chantal

I HIGHLY, HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend that you get in contact with Shadia!!!! She can work within you're budget if you tell her what your looking for and how much you'd like to spend. She won't be insulted.

And if you've seen me in my costumes and how I'm built, you can tell she makes costumes to fit amazingly.

Give her a call. She would need your measurements and you may have to see her or for a fitting. We talk about the color of the costume and style. She's also a really, really nice person to know and that's an understatement. I'd HIGHLY recommend her to you. Give her a call :)

Anahit_Karyan · 11-13-2007, 12:57 PM

Rock on! Thanks, Chantal! Yeah, I was very jealous of the fit of your costume, first time I saw you. Of course, at that time, I was probably wearing the $80 beginner costume that required a bra UNDER it. :)

akashablue · 11-13-2007, 01:03 PM

Hmmm...Which costume was that?

Forgive me, I've been out of the dance scene for a while and quitely frankly haven't performed in a while. Did we meet at Amira Jamal's classes?

Please forgive me, I just ran into people I haven't seen in a while at Katia's show and realized that I've forgotten a lot of people :(

You can also PM me if you'd like. If I don't respond, the PM may have a glitch in it :)

Anahit_Karyan · 11-13-2007, 03:44 PM

Oh, no problem. I don't remember which costume it was, now. It was at one of Amira Jamal's recitals, either my first or second. It was a few years ago.

mmouse1534 · 11-13-2007, 04:14 PM

Oh yes you definitly should! I danced in Katia's "VIsions of the East" this weekend and had her make a costume for me. I just love it and I am having her make all my costumes now! ;-) When i get pics of it I will post it!
-NJ

akashablue · 11-13-2007, 04:44 PM

Nadirah Johara,

I was at Katia's show and didn't have a chance to tell you that you were fabulous!!! That costume Shadia made you was beautiful!! I sat next to her in the audience. I really enjoyed your performance. I was so impressed....

Ok, I'll stop gushing and be all fan girl

mmouse1534 · 11-13-2007, 06:05 PM

Oh and yes she can make any costume for your budget and it will have sparkle!!

Quote:

you that you were fabulous!!! That costume Shadia made you was beautiful!!

Thanks Akasha!!

gwyncara · 11-13-2007, 08:00 PM

Does Shadia have a website?

kina · 11-13-2007, 08:32 PM

no, she's been working on one as long as I can remember, but if you go to the gildedserpent.com and look for an articly by Suzi, you can see many examples of her work...

Hold on...

here's the website to boston based dancer, Najmat's gallery. Everything on this page (I believe) with the exception on th elime green and the white costume are Shadia originals.

She also does long distance work, upon request. She doesn't tend to answer emails, but is awesome about the phone. I'm a bit hesitant to post her phone number online, so if interested, please pm me.

akashablue · 11-14-2007, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwyncara

Does Shadia have a website?

You can also see her work at Katia's page and look at Katia's pictures who is another dancer from MA. Shadia made all the costumes on the first page of pictures and most on the second page. I'm not sure about the older pictures there.

Also, Shadia makes one of a kind costumes. So if you see a costume she has made for someone and want her to make the exact one, she won't. If you point out a costume from Bella, Pharonics, etc. and want her to make that - she won't. She does not copy other designers. She'll do it if it's for a troupe performance or a group of dancers who have to wear the same costume. Otherwise, she won't. It's great that she doesn't because who wants to show up at an event wearing the same costume if you don't have to. She may say a similar style would be good for you, maybe but will not duplicate it.

Nepenthe · 11-14-2007, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akashablue

"mammarily gifted" I love that!!!

It's me, Chantal

I think I know who you are now! I was trying to figure out - who is this AkashaBlue who used to dance at the ME and sounds like she took classes with Amira Jamal, though she didn't call the teacher out by name and...?

I'm Nepenthe - we met the other night at Visions of the East, with Nadira/Jessica.

mmouse1534 · 11-14-2007, 03:33 PM

Man there were lots of you guys there that night (at Visions)! We should have had a Bhuz meet up! :-)
-NJ

badriya_al_ahmar · 11-14-2007, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmouse1534

Oh yes you definitly should! I danced in Katia's "VIsions of the East" this weekend and had her make a costume for me. I just love it and I am having her make all my costumes now! ;-) When i get pics of it I will post it!
-NJ

Oh, you were wonderful! That costume completely suited you as well, we were all commenting it afterwards

Shadia also does costuming for Nourhan Sharif--some of her CD covers give costuming credit to Shadia, so I'd assume those are Shadia's creations Nourhan is wearing on the covers.

Also looking to jump on the Shadia bus after the holidays,

akashablue · 11-14-2007, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nepenthe

I think I know who you are now! I was trying to figure out - who is this AkashaBlue who used to dance at the ME and sounds like she took classes with Amira Jamal, though she didn't call the teacher out by name and...?

I'm Nepenthe - we met the other night at Visions of the East, with Nadira/Jessica.

Ah ha! I remember meeting you!!!

HI!!!

akashablue · 11-14-2007, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badriya_al_ahmar

Shadia also does costuming for Nourhan Sharif--some of her CD covers give costuming credit to Shadia, so I'd assume those are Shadia's creations Nourhan is wearing on the covers.

Badriya_al_ahmar is right. That is Shadia's work on the covers of her 1st and 3rd CD! Not sure about the second.

Nourhan was in Pawtuckett for a performance this past February and Shadia made her a lovely dress that was black and had a big pink heart on it. It was lovely.

mmouse1534 · 11-14-2007, 06:46 PM

Thanks Badriya! I wish I could have met up with everyone!

I visit Boston at least once a year! We will have to have a bhuz meetup!

lotus · 11-14-2007, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akashablue

Badriya_al_ahmar is right. That is Shadia's work on the covers of her 1st and 3rd CD! Not sure about the second.

Nourhan was in Pawtuckett for a performance this past February and Shadia made her a lovely dress that was black and had a big pink heart on it. It was lovely.

I thought Nourhan had retired from performance and just did the teaching now? I specifically remember attending an event in San Diego which was billed as her farewell/retirement tour...confused now. Well if she is back to perfroming good for her!

akashablue · 11-15-2007, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lotus

I thought Nourhan had retired from performance and just did the teaching now? I specifically remember attending an event in San Diego which was billed as her farewell/retirement tour...confused now. Well if she is back to perfroming good for her!

I went to one of her retirement shows a few years ago in Arlington, MA.

When I saw her perform in Pawtuckett, it wasn't a belly dance hafli or workshop featuring her. It turned out to be a big Lebanese hafli with a live band, food, a Lebanese singer from out of state and Nourhan happened to performed there twice. I heard about it through the grapevine because it wasn't advertised in the dance community. She's from Rhode Island and might have been asked to perform and agreed. I'm not really sure why.

I think she performs here and there like at the New York week long event last July. (No, she's not on the DVD. Her decision.

) But she didn't perform at the Arab Dance Seminar this year.

Lauren_ · 11-15-2007, 02:29 PM

She performed at a St. Louis hafla about a year ago, but the organizer is a friend of hers.

I guess 'retired from performance' means not actively seeking gigs (restaurant/private parties/etc), primarily teaching for a living, and only dancing at things that sound like fun to her? It wouldn't have to mean that she'll never ever perform again.

I was *really* glad she performed for us in St. Louis. What a treat!

emma-bessa · 11-15-2007, 05:49 PM

Oh!
I have wondered for *years* who designed the costume on the cover of the cd "Youm El Farrah"!I wonder if that´s her work?

I can see a few costume orders in Shadia´s future in my crystal ball..;)