Author: Davina

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

Categories
General Publications

Embellished Bras back in print!

Embellished Bras front cover
Embellished Bras by Dawn Devine ~ Davina

Embellished Bras front cover
Embellished Bras by Dawn Devine ~ Davina

I’m so very thrilled to announce that my best-selling book Embellished Bras is now back in print!  With the increasing costs of printing, shipping, storage and general expenses of using a traditional “Small Publisher” business model, I’ve taken the big step of reorganizing my business into a modern “Print on Demand” company.

What does that mean for my readers?  We are converting our books one-by-one  from their previous look, to a new slicker and more professional final product.  They have shrunk in physical size from 8″ by 11.5″ to 8″ by 10″ and instead of a plastic spiral binding, will now have a glossy full-color wrap-around cover.  It’s the same great content in a new slicker package!  BUT – even better – we can can keep our books affordable.

Embellished bras in now available for sale through the POD service Create Space, a division of Amazon.com.  The book will be available from my website and from Amazon.com in a few short weeks.  But if you want to get a copy before then, visit the Embellished Bras product page on Create Space.

What else is happening at Ibexa Press?  My graphic designer, Kristina Reinholds, is hard at work developing the new cover for Bedlah, Baubles and Beads, while Jerry Case is working on reformatting the text and images to fit the new slightly smaller size.  This project should be finished by Early May.  Then, the team will embark on renovating From Turban to Toe Ring. Meanwhile, I am hard at work on my next book, Costumes of the Maghreb, and in the next few months, will be posting more information about this book as it progresses.

A huge thanks goes out to my family, friends and fans who have supported me, purchased my DIY books, and have shared this great passion of mine – belly dance costuming!

Happy Costuming,

~ Dawn Devine ~ Davina

Categories
Costuming DIY General Publications

Sakkara, Baden-Baden Germany

Hello Gang,

I’ve never had the pleasure of visiting Germany, but suddenly, I’m inspired to go. I have recently found the most visually delicious belly dance catalog I’ve ever seen. Sakkara is a premiere belly dance costume shop in Baden-Baden, Germany, and offers what appears to be a vast collection of amazing costumes, accessories, jewelry and supplies for dancers. Their website has all their contact information and is loaded with images.  But what I’m really enjoying is their high-quality catalog. The models are lovely, well photographed and wearing gorgeous costumes. Check it out!  ~ Dawn Devine ~ Davina

Categories
Belly Dance General

Davina’s Performances from 2010

Hello Gang,

Several people have written, asking if I had any recent performance video available.   In 2010, I lost about 70lbs and spent the year wearing “soft costumes.”  A fantastic body stocking, The Alexandria from Dahlal International’s Off the Nile collection, a pant and top combo and amazing tie-dye veil from L. Rose Designs, and a pair of purple tribal pants with a couple of hip wraps from Lunatic Fringe.  Enjoy!  ~ Davina

Categories
Belly Dance General Publications

Cairo Belly Dance Video from National Geographic

Hello Dancers and Costumers,

Today I’ve returned to my desk after attending Rakkasah West in Richmond California. I really had a great time enjoying the performances, shopping the dealers and reconnecting with dance friends near and far. Before I sit down to write my Rakkasah Trend Report for 2011, I thought I would take a moment to share with you a really good little video clip from National Geographic.  In an effort to record the cultures of the world, National Geographic has made a series of video clips available on the web featuring such culturally rich ethnographic arts such as music, dance and theater.    I found this clip on Belly Dance in Cairo captures the sentiment of what is happening over there in the world of dance.  Check it out!

Categories
Publications

Fuse magazine sampler

Interested in all things tribal, fusion or avante-guard style?  The publishers of Fuse magazine have put together a tasty little sampler of pages from their magazine.  Featuring stylish layouts and a mix of informative articles, interviews and reviews, this “Short Fuse” gives you a idea of the look and feel of the entire magazine.  Even if tribal and tribal fusion are not your style of choice, this magazine gives you entre into another genre of dance.  If you have a free moment, check it out!  Short “Fuse”