Style File: A Visual Vocabulary of Middle Eastern Belly Dance Costume

After more than 20 years, we’re going out of print with our little booklet Style File.  This useful little publication was like a field guide to belly dance costuming. I wrote it with my students in mind.  Imagine going to large belly dance events and wanting a handy reference guide to help understand the costumes and performances. This was that little book.

Fast forward 20 years.  Times have changed, the terminology has shifted, and styles in costumes have come and gone.  This book was starting to feel clunky and dated.  We decided to pull the booklet off the market.  Some of the content will shift over to the next version of Costuming from the Hip.  Parts of this book will also come to live right here on my blog. If you need a digital copy, they will be available for sale on Etsy through Midnight of Feb 1, 2023.  

It’s the end of an era, but it’s time.
Goodnight Style File, it’s been a blast!
~ Dawn Devine ~ Davina

Rhinestone Embellished Assiut
Part 1: Essential Materials and Supplies 

My troupe Swirl performed at an end-of-year belly dance show at Christmas in the park in San Jose, California. For this performance, we were a trio and we choose to wear a wintery blue and silver assiut ensemble with black and silver accents.

Over the next few blog posts, I’m going to share my step-by-step process for how we took our assiut robes to the next level by adding rhinestone chain embellishment.  Interested in learning more about this process?  Be sure to read to the end and follow the links to the next installment.

Purchasing an Assiut Robe

• Research and Set your Budget:  Once you’ve decided to purchase a robe, take some time to do some research. Window-shop to get a sense of what’s currently being made in Egypt, identify dealers who are active in the market, and learn what the going prices are for different kinds of pieces.  Then set a budget for your project and have that cash ready when you spot the assuit robe of your dreams.
• Know Your Measurements:  Assiut robes are hand-crafted and vary wildly in width and length. Take your measurements and know what your widest circumference and your preferred length. When you are shopping, be sure to check the measurements, and ask the dealer for size details if you can’t spot them in the listing.
• Be Flexible with Color and Size: The assiut market is very volatile. Sometimes there are lots of options. Sometimes there are few available for sale. Be patient and allow yourself plenty of time prior to an event to allow for the hunt, shipping, and alterations when it arrives.
• Support your Favorite Belly Dance Dealers: Although assiut is made in Egypt, there are many dealers in the US that have pieces on hand. Buying from a US dealer supports a belly dance business and our community as a whole.  Shipping times within the US are also much quicker.
• Look Regularly on Etsy and Ebay: Because assiut robes can be difficult to source, it pays to window shop frequently. I encourage shoppers to make friends with dealers so they will be on the hunt for the color and style you’re looking for.

Looking for more assiut shopping tips? Check out this article:

Gathering Supplies

• Upholstery Thread: https://amzn.to/3hE3WII
• Leather Thimble: https://amzn.to/3PBTGgH
• Wire Cutter: https://amzn.to/3WaCxgu (the next style I’m going to buy because my old pair are getting dull)
• John James Needle Set: https://amzn.to/3hGcqPt (My fav. Brand)
• Fiskars Snips: https://amzn.to/3Ws17cv
• Rhinestones: https://amzn.to/3PFEm2H

If you choose to follow these links: Thank you!

I make a tiny commission on sales using the affiliate links above. Amazon affiliate money pays for my website and blog. Using these links keeps all that info free and available to belly dancers today and in the year to come. If Amazon isn’t your jam – visit your local sewing and craft stores to get the tools and supplies you need to complete this project.

Thank you for joining me on this assiut robe embellishment journey!
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
Dec. 18, 2022

 

Nejla Ates: The Turkish Delight
Article in Fanoos Magazine Dec. 2022

Follow this link to read my article and the rest of this
fantastic issue dedicated to Vintage & Golden Era belly dance.

 

 

Davina: DIY Belly Dance Costume Queen Dawn Devine –
Episode 71 – “A Little Lighter” belly dance podcast with Alicia Free

It was a thrill and delight to work with belly dance podcaster Alicia Free. During an interview made during the summer of 2022, we discussed all sorts of topics from my business mission and the process of writing books to my favorite whole-food snack!

My interview is podcast #71. On the “A Little Lighter” podcast page,  you can find the full catalog of past episodes. There are loads of wonderful interviews with talented dance performers, costume designers, and internationally famous instructors from across the US and beyond. What an honor to be included in a lineup with legendary belly dance personalities like Jillina of  Belly Dance Superstars, Carolena Nericcio of FatChanceBellyDance, and Suhaila Salimpour just to name a few.

Catch the podcast on your favorite app. I recommend visiting Alicia’s website to get started.  Be sure to check out Alisha Free’s Instagram feed too, to hear about future podcast episodes.

I hope you enjoy listening to my podcast and exploring more interviews with some of my heroes too!

Happy Dance and Costuming
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
Nov. 11, 2022