In case you haven’t checked it out, Dahlal Internationale has this great feature in their quarterly newsletter, Dancer Designs. In each issue, they convert, transform or create a belly dance costume ensemble from items in their product line. This brilliant little piece of marketing is highly useful for the DIY seamstress or designer. These costuming projects are primarily composed of their own products such as hip wraps, veils and other costume accessories. Suggestions vary from basic things you can do to transform a hip wrap (like the Peacock Draped Bra or an assortment of wraps)to more complicated projects that create full ensembles ( like The Faux Minya Dress) and costume pieces requiring more complex construction (such as their embellished Godet Pants.) Design at right from Dahlal page – The Coin Bolero Top
The Dahlal Dancer Designs archive contains dozens of design ideas to rev up your creative juices. The use-what-you-have mentality applies equally to their merchandise and to your own personal costume collection. Even if you don’t use their exact materials, their well-written descriptions can help you breathe a new life into your existing wardrobe. The key is to look at your accessories and costume pieces in new ways – and let the inspiration take you.
Kudos to Dahlal for not only offering us great products to buy, but for giving us great examples of how to think like a designer. Excellent directions for what I affectionately call “Closet Costuming” – the art of transforming your existing wardrobe in new and innovative ways. If you have some time – check out the Dahlal site. If you like it, be sure to sign up for their newsletters. Even if you don’t sew, check out this website. Their photos are lush, their costume gorgeous and their models look every inch the belly dancer.
Happy Costuming,
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
