Saint Patrick Blue

Did you know that Saint Patrick was actually known for a specific color of BLUE?

Bellydance Lace-up Sleeves That I Made

Lace-up Sleeves That I Made For my belly dance bedleh (costume).

I didn't make the coin-bra but I DID take it apart and alter it.

I made the sleeve-cuffs because I'd seen many other dancers wear something similar, usually cabaret dancers, but even Gothic Tribal Fusion dancers.

I had lots of old vintage silk from China that was given to me when I was in China from many old folks, and neighbors in China.

So, I thought I would use it. It's already made the harem pants/Turkish bloomers, which I bought a pattern to use for making it, and altered the design to fit what I personally wanted.

So, I made the flowing sleeves to match, and now I have a whole bedleh.

No one can seem to agree what to call this fashion item, but so many very well known dancers have some version of them. There was even a Gothic sewing pattern you can buy called "The corested Arm". But, as I don't have any money to spend on things like that, I just made up my own pseudo pattern with paper.

I measured my arms, made a paper mock-up, and went from there.

 The flowing parts of the sleeves I used ALL of the vintage fabrics I had. I made it look as tho' I had 2 layers of sleeve together, but they are sewn together.

The bigger part looks a bit like wings, and is rather whimsical.

But, the overlaying sheer sleeve with mini flowers (Blümchen) was inspired by sleeves by Moresca.

 I also have mini jingle bells on my sleeves, like the style of Moresca.

 The full bedleh (without coin bar or makeup or coin bra).

ALL entirely made by ME from old vintage Chinese silk. Including the hip-scarf!

(No I didn't make the NIKE sports bra.)

ANOTHER Halloween Party Same Night At The Mall

That SAME NIGHT there was ANOTHER Halloween Party Event in at the Mall!

So, we went there too!

You can get a better shot/view of my coin bra in these.

 You can see my signature antique/vintage Tribal silver necklace. 1-of-a-kind piece.

I shot this one in my store that we used to have in the Hanover Mall.

I made the lace-up sleeves myself.

Tribal Fusion Old Costume 2009

Here's my old Tribal Bedleh (costume).

I think 1 of the 1st costumes you'll REALLY WANT is the big ATS 25 yards Gypsy skirt.

I couldn't deride if I wanted red or purple, but I shopped around for YEARS looking for the best deal. bargain/price.

So, my lil' brother gave me some money for my birthday that year, and I bought this skirt specially imported from India.

I got mine at this website, but I don't believe they sell satin gypsy skirts anymore.I'm not even sure they still sell 25 skirts anymore either.

For my bedleh (costumes) I''ve learned that even tho' for regular fashion "black is slimming" it is NOT flattering if you are showing lots of skin AND you are very, very fair skinned!

I would say, if you are curvy like I am, stay away from black & dark colors, because against the light color of your skin, it will cause an optical effect of making you look too fat. TOO FAT!

Here, you can see me wearing a very vintage early 1990s club/rave choli/top. Poet blouse ruffles! But, it's BLACK. See how the contrast of the dark & light colors of the skin color of my belly are against my dark black top? Makes my belly look TOO BIG.
Also, you can't see the shapeliness of my bust. Not a good look. But, it looks fine on the arms. So, that's something to keep in mind.

Black is VERY popular with Tribal dancers. But, unless you are the demure, athletic, or skinny type, I would advise against it. 

That's why, even tho' I LOVE Purple, most PURPLE colored costume items are DARK, or TOO dark, almost BLACK. So, I try to stick with lighter colors.

USE your round shape to your advantage! It makes the movements LOOK BETTER. It looks better to the eyes as well.

I have also found that RED looks VERY good on stage. There is SOMETHING about RED that catches the viewers' eyes. It's a POWER COLOR.  AND, it will also enhance your confidence.

In fact, if you lack confidence, I recommend taking bellydance classes, even for men.

Tribal Fusion Belly Dance Graphic

Another Tribal Fusion Graphic I made.

I shot several sets of these self portraits in 2011.