Hello Gang!
I’ve been PUMMELLED by requests for assiut! Not my book, The Cloth of Egypt: All About Assiut, but the cloth itself. The truth of the matter is that I buy assiut and I use it. I simply don’t stockpile to resell. However, in the past year, I have been purchasing modern assiut panels and dresses to start the costume build for an upcoming book that I’ll be working on in 2017. Now is a great time to share my trusted sources for purchasing assiut.
Besheer on eBay
My longest running relationship with a vendor of assiut is with the eBay vendor who goes by the handle Besheer. I have purchased more than 20 panels and three robes from this dealer in the past four years. The robe I’m wearing in the image on the left was purchased from them several years ago. It’s soft, has held up to numerous washes and still looks stunning both on stage and up close. I’m especially fond of their assiut triangles with crocheted beaded trim. These panels really hold up to the abuse that our dance gives them. This is the person I recommend most often when folks ask me who I buy from. They have a store on eBay, be sure to check them out.
Desirees Treasures on Etsy
A more recent addition to the vendors I’ve been shopping from is Desirees Treasures over on Etsy. Her store is filled with new and vintage assiut in a variety of colors and designs. I’ve only purchased a few pieces from her so far, but her service is fast and her items have matched their photos and descriptions. I especially love the blue assiut ensemble at right, that I put together with an assiut robe and shawl that were purchased separately, but come together to make a lovely ensemble.
21st Century Vamp on Etsy
If you are looking for exceptionally high-quality antique and vintage pieces collected with taste and care, you can expect to find the finest on the Etsy store of the 21st Century Vamp. Her exquisite pieces are delicious to behold, and often draw the highest prices – and rightfully so! Although I’ve only been able to make one purchase from her collection, it’s a great place to window shop for the most sumptuous cloth. If you are building your vintage collection, her shop is a must visit!
SaftiCraft Website
Perhaps my all-time favorite piece of modern assiut is a long narrow scarf with a rich diamond pattern embroidered into it purchased from SaftiCraft. I’ve made several purchases directly from their website and though I had to wait a bit of time for the item to arrive, the cloth they carry is glorious. They make rich, densely patterned soft modern assiut that rivals vintage pieces for the number and quality of metal stitches. You can see my scarf, affectionately known as “Waldo,” wrapped around my head in the image at left.
Melodia Designs Website
If you love the look of assiut, but find the metal is irritating to your skin, why not take check out the faux assiut cloth designed and manufactured by Melodia. This San Diego-based designer has created an entire line of day wear, practice, and performance pieces. Printed on high-quality stretch fabrics, the pattern is so authentic, at a glance, it fools the eye of even discerning assiut fans. I simply love my Melodia skirt! Though I adore real assiut, this skirt is so comfortable to wear, that I find myself reaching for it over and over.
If you would like to find out more about this fabulous cloth, might I recommend checking out my book? Over 20 years in the making, The Cloth of Egypt: All About Assiut is my most ambitious research project, turned book and it includes information about the history, technology, and use of this beautiful ethnographic textile.
Good luck on your own personal quest to find the assiut pieces that are perfect for your collection or costuming project!
Happy Costuming!
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
November 16, 2016