My First Sahar Okasha - sooo sexy

[Azhia]

So what I'm hearing is that the costumes are worth the price?

They seem even more minimalist to me than Eman Zaki's. In photos. Are they more impressive in real life?

I used to vend Eman Zaki before she was well known (and more expensive!) and having purchased costumes from her for myself at cost, I could not spend over $400 on a brand spanking new costume, much less over $1000.

Y'all are stylin'! ;0)

[damiena]

Originally Posted by Azhia

So what I'm hearing is that the costumes are worth the price?

They seem even more minimalist to me than Eman Zaki's. In photos. Are they more impressive in real life?

I used to vend Eman Zaki before she was well known (and more expensive!) and having purchased costumes from her for myself at cost, I could not spend over $400 on a brand spanking new costume, much less over $1000.

Y'all are stylin'! ;0)

They are minimalistic in styling, but the fit is what sold me. The bra construction is just amazing and they are comfortable to wear! As far as worth, I guess that is a matter of opinion. To me, the fit and the way I feel in them makes them worth every penny. When I wear a Sahar, I feel elegant and sexy, never sleazy or tacky (even when I am wearing crushed velvet with big dangling crystals!). I really think that until you try one on, you don't realize just how amazing they are.

I still love my Pharoanics and Zakis, and will still buy both, but I am definitely hooked on the Sahars!

[SamiraShuruk]

Originally Posted by damiena

I still love my Pharoanics and Zakis, and will still buy both, but I am definitely hooked on the Sahars!

I hear you might be adding to your collection soon!

[damiena]

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

I hear you might be adding to your collection soon!

LOL!!! I am like a junkie, waiting for my fix of lycra and velvet and crystals, oh my!!!

[SamiraShuruk]

Originally Posted by damiena

LOL!!! I am like a junkie, waiting for my fix of lycra and velvet and crystals, oh my!!!

Muah-ha-ha-ha-ha!!
You got your fix tonight, you junkie! Give us pictures!

[damiena]

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

Muah-ha-ha-ha-ha!!
You got your fix tonight, you junkie! Give us pictures!

I know...I cannot believe how incredible these new ones are! I hope to post pics soon!

Off to bed now! Kiss, kiss!!

[SamiraShuruk]

Originally Posted by damiena

I know...I cannot believe how incredible these new ones are! I hope to post pics soon!

Off to bed now! Kiss, kiss!!

*dreamy eyed sigh*...so imagine a black costume- with the bra cups shaped like big red across your chest...and red accents on the skirt, bra strap, wrist thing and a dangling (shimmying, shaking) right on your right butt cheek . Imagine it executed with just the right balance of sass, class and style. THAT's the costume Damiena is referring to. It's FABULOUS on her.

[bintbeled]

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

*dreamy eyed sigh*...so imagine a black costume- with the bra cups shaped like big red across your chest...and red accents on the skirt, bra strap, wrist thing and a dangling (shimmying, shaking) right on your right butt cheek . Imagine it executed with just the right balance of sass, class and style. THAT's the costume Damiena is referring to. It's FABULOUS on her.

O.....M......G!!! Is the world ready for the combination of hot 'n sassy Damiena and this costume? Maybe I'll get to see it Monday night. It sounds luscious!

[joanneraks]

forgive me if this has already been asked before, or if it's common knowledge to everyone but me, but:

Does Sahar ever make one-of-a-kind costumes that she won't repeat?

The reason I ask is that I'm seeing/ have seen some gorgeous designs that I want for my own! Or perhaps a design I'd like to see in another color, etc. Obviously some of her designs are repeat-able, and can be found in various colors & sizes. But are all of them available for order?

thank you!

[SamiraShuruk]

Originally Posted by joanneraks

forgive me if this has already been asked before, or if it's common knowledge to everyone but me, but:

Does Sahar ever make one-of-a-kind costumes that she won't repeat?

The reason I ask is that I'm seeing/ have seen some gorgeous designs that I want for my own! Or perhaps a design I'd like to see in another color, etc. Obviously some of her designs are repeat-able, and can be found in various colors & sizes. But are all of them available for order?

thank you!

From what I know there are some she will not duplicate. She might do a variation on it, but it will still have differences. There may be SOME she doesn't duplicate at all, though. I don't know.

[damiena]

Here is one of my new Sahars! I just love the color, a rich raspberry purple, and the big crystals she used! Sorry for the funky pic - hubby captures the loveliest expressions! Ah well...I sort of figure that no one will be bothering to look at my face anyway! It is all about the Sahar!!!

[joanneraks]

Damiena - you and Sahar were meant to be! I love your costumes and photos!!

[kharis_UK]

I had a browse through the website and cannot believe anyone would spend that much money on those costumes. Some of them are so minimilist and the skirts are merely a tailored oblong of fabric fastened with a clasp on one hip. The bras may be good on construction but then so is a Gossard. They must cost all of $150 to produce tops, and the top of the range is costing $1,400 or more. This 'designer' is laughing all the way to bank. I think I'm in the wrong business. I have a sewing machine, I can design my own website and I think I'll call myself Ozmani Hassani Elzaki and my top selling range will be the Emporer's Clothes of the Nile.

[kharis_UK]

I have to say though that all the photos of you guys look fabulous, but I honestly think you'd look fabulous in any costumes, not just these rip offs.

[SamiraShuruk]

Originally Posted by kharis_UK

The bras may be good on construction but then so is a Gossard. They must cost all of $150 to produce tops, and the top of the range is costing $1,400 or more. This 'designer' is laughing all the way to bank. I think I'm in the wrong business. I have a sewing machine, I can design my own website and I think I'll call myself Ozmani Hassani Elzaki and my top selling range will be the Emporer's Clothes of the Nile.

Kharis, My second degree in college was theatre production/costume design...so I'm a sewer (since I was little). I was right there with you when I had just seen pictures of these things.
I thought differently when I saw them in person...and THEN I tried one on. They truly are different.
There are a lot of details and quality differences that pictures just do not convey but that ARE evident in person. The time that goes into the construction of this bra is most definitely different from a high end lingerie bra (although they are BOTH miracles of engineering). It's kind of like the difference seeing a quality and charismatic dancer on youtube and then seeing them live.
Things the pictures can't convey- the quality of ALL the materials are high end. Quality lycra, fine quality yet strong mesh, never just a "hook and eye" hook anywhere. She uses no sequins, only beads and stones that she collects from around the world and swavorski crystals. A lot of the crystal work is totally not seen in the pictures, but definitely catches light in real life. There is a huge difference too in the quality workmanship. Small stitches, each bead sewn on individually etc.
I DON'T have a lot of disposable income and have never been the type to buy something just for the "name". But these- I believe are simply worth more.

[shems]

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

snip -
I DON'T have a lot of disposable income and have never been the type to buy something just for the "name". But these- I believe are simply worth more.

I also think they are worth more than your average costume due to construction and materials. And I'm getting a new one as well-I consider it worth it, although I have to sell other costumes to do it. I must admit though, they seem to be getting more expensive and I'm not always sure what makes one worth so much more than another. Even looking at them in person sometimes I don't get why one is $800 and another one, not that different from it is $1400? This might be my last Sahar for some time. I love them, but I can't afford very many of them.

[theresa2]

There's also something about the cut of the skirt. It's cut on the bias, and is all one piece - no back or side seams. The only seam is where the slit is in the front. Some in the design trade think this is the cheap way to go, but in my opinion it allows the fabric of the skirt to move in much better way.

One of my regular customers was unusally quiet one night during my show. Afterwards he asked who made my costume. I told him Sahar - a new designer for the US. He said he almost never pays attention to skirts anymore, but he watched mine through the whole show.

They just..... float.

[kharis_UK]

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

Kharis, My second degree in college was theatre production/costume design...so I'm a sewer (since I was little). I was right there with you when I had just seen pictures of these things.
I thought differently when I saw them in person...and THEN I tried one on. They truly are different.
There are a lot of details and quality differences that pictures just do not convey but that ARE evident in person. The time that goes into the construction of this bra is most definitely different from a high end lingerie bra (although they are BOTH miracles of engineering). It's kind of like the difference seeing a quality and charismatic dancer on youtube and then seeing them live.

I get what your saying, but even those facts don't justify that kind of money. I know how much beads and swarovski cost. I use them all the time. And you can bet your bottom dollar that this designer does not have to pay the prices for crystals that I do. The real bonus with these costumes is the skirt desgin (it flares and is roomy with no ugly bottom hugging line that you usually find with lycra costumes) and the bras are sturdy and well fitting. Apart from that, they are very unexceptional and certainly not worth the money being charged. When you consider the mark up on them...phew!