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Assiut/Assuit Belly Dance Costuming DIY General

Assiut Robe Styling Tips Direct from Egypt

Davina-Looking-Down-Assiut-VJLove assiut robes, but aren’t sure how to style them? How they should fit? What type of belt would look best?  Here is a collection of videos direct from the source, Egypt.  These dancers illustrate different approaches to head, hip and jewelry embellishments.  In all cases, the performers accent their hips with belt and usually either partially or fully cover their hair.  Just remember, when you buy a new modern assiut robe, it will come in a very boxy square cut.  As these dancers clearly illustrate, the preferred Egyptian fit is tailored to a slightly loose but body-skimming cut.

 

 

This clip features Nabeweya Mustafa wearing a densely patterned assiut robe with a large diagram of what appears to be the continent of Africa across her torso accented with Egyptian cartouche and stylized star motifs. She’s casually tied an unadorned scarf around her hips, and casually wrapped a paillette edged veil over her shoulders.  Unfortunately, the sound is quite distorted, so be sure to turn your volume down.

Nabeweya Mustafa appears in this next clip as well.  Her lively Fellahin dance in the middle of a cotton field is quite charming, especially when you check out the pattern on her sleeves – which features a stylized field of plants.  She wears a triangular shaped scarf around her  hips, and at various points in her dance, she has a shawl that is worn on her head or around her shoulders.  The crescent shaped dowery necklace is traditional for Upper Egypt.

The last video features Farida Fahey and Mahmoud Reda. She’s wearing a lovely traditionally cut assiut robe with traditional rectangular construction instead of western shaped armscye. with a long black veil, and shaped silver belt.  Her assiut robe is so heavily embellished that jewelry isn’t missed.  As a side note, I really enjoy seeing the amazing Mahmoud Reda in his prime!

By Davina

Davina ~ Dawn Devine is a belly dance costume designer, dance instructor and author of more than a dozen publications on Middle Eastern dance.