During the kitschy mid-20th century spy films, you can often spot belly dancers.  The absurdist comedy “The Last of the Secret Agents,” one of the many James Bond spoofs of the era.  Towards the end of the film, our heroes find themselves in “Zoltans,” and the action of the film pauses for a belly dance interlude. The dancer is the lovely Aida Fries, who performed throughout the Sothern California area in the 1970s. By the time I arrived, she was just a legend.  

Enjoy this vintage belly dance clip,
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
Oct. 2023

Fanoos Magazine – Fall 2023

For the fall quarter of 2023, Fanoos Digital Magazine chose the theme of troupes!  To fit the theme, I went into my archive to locate some of my favorite historical illustrations and photos of dance groups.  But rather than repeat the article, click here or on the image below to check it out!

I hope you enjoy the images I selected for the piece,
Dawn Devine ~ Davina

 

 

Today is my BIRTHDAY!

Let’s all have fun taking another sail around the sun!  If you would like to give me the BEST gift ever, click through the video above to the YouTube website watch my 8-minute studio update, and give it a thumbs up!

This will directly impact my YouTube stats, and help me reach the “Partner” level with watch time.  Getting to this level means that I will have access to more features and tools behind the scenes.

Thank you for all the continued support of my zany little business. If you buy a book, take a class, or even just thumbs-up a YouTube video, you help me pay for this blog and my ongoing historical research.

I simply couldn’t do it without you!
Thank you so very much,
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
Sept. 6, 2023

Prop-A-Palooza, Online Dance Showcase
Sept. 23, 2023, at 7 pm Central
hosted by Lisa Jean

Join us for this showcase of props! I’ll be rocking a tray dance and wearing assiut!  It’s only $10 for the ticket!  Click through for more information and tickets.

Fall Issue of Fanoos: On Troupes
Sept. 15, 2023 – FREE Digital Magazine

I’m preparing another history deep dive sharing vintage images from the last quarter of the 19th century. This informative digital magazine arrives in your email box and signing up is free.

Visit the Fanoos Website to Sign Up.

 

Studio Davina September Talks, Demos,
and Classes on Patreon

Study with me on Patreon in September. This month’s class offerings include:

$3 – Coffee Chat – Book Reports #CFTH30 – Behind the scenes of Costuming From the Hip: 30th Anniversary Edition.

$7 – Sewing Classes – Raspberry Hearts Redesign – Two More installments – both included in this price. Join me for a deep dive into the art of juggling budget, skills, and time when working on used bedlah sets.

$15 – Belly Dance History – 20 Belly Dance Myths: Part Two – This month I’m going continue this series of Myth-Busting, with a focus on the shape of time and dancer identities.

The Belly Dance Bundle RETURNS for 2023
And I’ve been invited back!

Let’s take a trip back in time.  Come join me for a history slide show,  “Journey Down the Nile.” Discover how travelers to Egypt experienced the country and discovered dancers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  This is a beautiful slide deck with vintage imagery teased out of the archives and presented thematically.   

Watch in the coming weeks for more Info about the Belly Dance Bundle!

 

 

Five International Belly Dance Designers on Instagram

Next time you pick up your phone to go for a scroll through Instagram for visual ideas, check out this inspirational collection. This is a group of belly dance costume designers from around the world. Each of these talented women is an accomplished designer.  These costume makers offer different points of view, materials selection, and fabrication techniques. And I love them ALL!

It simply makes me happy to see all of the wonderful belly dance costume designs in my feed. These designers are some of the best of the best from around the globe.
Why not check them out for yourself? 

I hope you enjoy this collection of talented designers.
Have fun checking them out,
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
August 2023

Michelle

Award-winning dancer and costumer.  On her Instagram platform, she shares her belly dance journey. She performs professionally in the greater Seattle, USA area. She also teaches belly dance costume design workshops with hostess Lisa Jean.  I enjoy Michelle’s costuming tips, her taste, and her dance style. *chefs kiss*

Ambar

Hailing from Mexico, I first discovered Ambar, a super glam costume designer via YouTube. I HIGHLY recommend her Instagram. In her feed, shares photos of costumes she makes for herself and her clients.  I really love her tutorials, her approach to integrating mirrors and bling, and her design framework.  Learn from her on her Spanish-language YouTube channel.  She always inspires me with her creative materials use and show-girl style sparkly costumes. *Muy Caliente*

Aida

I’ve been a fan of the Ukrainian costume designer Olga Aida. Her Fashion taste is superb and she crafts blingy costumes for dancers with showgirl tastes.  She takes her designer collection to belly dance events around the world.  Need something custom?  Aida Style is a full-service business that ships internationally.  Why do I love her Instagram Feed?  Because it’s just so good!  *приголомшливо красива*

Laura Scimone

Sicilian-born, but London-based, Laura’s design house, Moonlight Design brings luxurious, couture-level Italian design to the world of belly dance costumes. Her styles are sparkly and elegant. Her styles achieve that perfect balance between sumptuous fabrics and the luster of quality rhinestones.  *la massima eleganza*

Zaina

From the Netherlands, Zaina Belly Dance Costumes offers lovely, feminine-style belly dance costumes. What I love most about her Instagram feed are the behind-the-scenes peeks of her working on her designs.  From stitching on rhinestones to making custom fringe, I love watching and learning from my fellow designers.  Her technique is impeccable.  *Absoluut prachtig*