I've been drawing costumes lately, but I just don't have time anymore to sew and bead them all myself. I've considered a lot of avenues for having them made for me, but I was wondering what the experience and advice is of people here.
Have you ever had somebody else make your design? Was it more or less expensive than it would have been just to custom order from Egypt or Turkey? Did you have it made by a famous designer? Did you have it made locally? Was it made in the middle east? Who made it and how did you feel about the quality? Did it turn out like you expected?
Please support our advertisers! They keep BHUZ alive and thriving. Click on the pictures to get to the websites. Have you checked out MyBellyDanceAuctions.com ?
With Eman Zaki you kinda have to let her imagination have her way. In the past (she's not so amenable to custom custom stuff these days and my last 2 "orders" have been ignored) I would send her a general idea of what I wanted and told her a colour scheme with my measurements. A few months later she would send me these breathtaking masterpieces. Those costumes you see with the top connected in the front to the skirt, that was an original design I had her do for me based on a blend of Toni Braxton's grammy dress and Charlize Theron's oscar dress, done in gold. This was in 2004. Now you see those dresses everywhere. She did about 3-4 costumes in that manner for me (I give her a general description and a colour and let her do what she wanted), always a perfect fit and I never had a fitting with her, nor ever went to Egypt. I would pay "wholesale". Very happy with what I've obtained through Eman.
Now I have a seamstress in PA do my designs. debbiescraftroom.com. It's nice because I can describe what I'm after, get materials and we'll collaborate on the rest because she'll have a better idea with the logistics of the costume. Her work is extremely high quality and she's making 3 more things for me as I write. It's easy with a local person because you can do frequent fittings. Well, I'm in Montréal now but I go back to Philly often enough to get fitted for whatever she's working on for me.
I've never paid more than $400 for a costume (I own about 16) and I've been very happy with both type of experiences. It's always a nice thing knowing no one else will have your costume (well, so many people have that dress now but oh well!). If you can articulate well enough what it is you want, you can come up with some very unique designs made especially for you.
I attempted to have a design made in Egypt, and found a vendor who was very easy to work with and communicated well. I sent him 4 pics that I wanted combined, and the designers only used one of four It turned out lovely, but looks so strikingly like a Legend costume, and I wasn't after that.
I chose the vendor because his prices were super reasonable, but Azhia's story sounds more promising. I'd rather trust a designer who I can work one-on-one with, or do the work myself.
Last edited by lallakahina; 01-17-2008 at 06:11 PM.
hallah moustafa for custom designs. no question.
fine execution of all my crazy ideas. she can make anything you can imagine.
high quality. reasonable price for the execution time.
tell her i sent you. http://hallahmoustafa.com/
hallah moustafa for custom designs. no question.
fine execution of all my crazy ideas. she can make anything you can imagine.
high quality. reasonable price for the execution time.
tell her i sent you. http://hallahmoustafa.com/
It turned out lovely, but looks so strikingly like a Legend costume, and I wasn't after that.
Linear Mode
