Studio Davina

Behind the Dress – Designer Challenge
Fashion Design Contest for the Trophy Escort at the Oscars

Although the whole world was focused on the procession of starlets and handsome hunks slinking down the red carpet, I was excited to find out who won the “Behind the Dress” contest to dress the trophy escort for the 2010 Oscars. (Who knew there was a technical name for the model who delivers the Oscar to the podium?)

This is the second year of this Academy sponsored contest. The goal – have website visitors vote for their favorite team of designer and model. The winning model then appeared on the Oscar broadcast wearing the winning dress. A career defining coup for the chosen designer.

A bit like a mini Project Runway, the contest is presented in a series of short webisodes hosted by Carson Kressley of Queer Eye fame. If that wasn’t enough reality TV for your taste, also appearing are Adam Shankman, producer of the academy awards (and noted judge of So You Think You Can Dance) and his assistant fashion coordinator Toni Pickett selected the models and designers that appeared on the runway.

How did the contest work? Designers from across the US submitted sketches. The wardrobing team at the Oscars culled out their top designers, auditioned the models and then paired the designers and models together. These teams then went head-to-head on the runway. The winning team, selected by popular vote ensured a job for the winning model and global exposure for the designer.

Didn’t get a chance to participate? Didn’t know this was happening? You can check out the six short webisodes and the runway presentation now on the Oscar website. I loved the sophisticated lemon-yellow gown sketched by Elda De La Rosa Design above and the lovely steely gown designed by Oday Shakar to the right. Visit their website to check out all of the designs. A lot of fun – and who knows – perhaps you will submit next year? (I have it marked on my calendar!)

View all the “Behind the Dress” webisodes

Hello Gang!


Whew – after an epic month of whirl-wind travel, it’s good to be back home. During my travels, I had a lot of time to read an epic quantity of fashion magazines, from London, Paris, Rome and right here in the US. During that time, I attended MAGIC – the largest wholesale buying event in the US, and looked at a myriad of styles for late summer/fall.

The biggest color trend – Turquoise.
Each season, Pantone, the color company, releases a trend watch portfolio of colors along with sketches from leading designers. “The” color of the year, 2010 is #15-5519 – Turquoise. Along with a palette of soft garden-hued tones, turquoise is a bright standout that is at once reminiscent of Hollywood pools and Turkish pottery.

In the fall, the brightness of turquoise is going to mellow into the rich glow of #16-5418 – Lagoon, a delicious warmer and greener tone that will fit in with both the warm chocolates and pale grays that will dominate falls neutral palette.

What this means for dance costuming is availability to fabric, trims and embellishments in these tones. If you are into slinky styles, swimwear fabrics offer a broad spectrum in watery shades from pale aqua to deep rich marine blues. For jazz or yoga style pants, tie-tops and cholis, mermaid style skirts and long elegant dresses, stretchy spandex fabrics will hug where you need but still flow and drape beautifully.

If your more of a buyer than a maker – now is the time to shop for costumes in every shade of turquoise, check out the styles available in this color palette from your favorite dealers!

Hello Gang, As 2009 draws to a close, I’m struck by all the top 10 lists that appear. It seems that everyone is doing year-end reviews of events that have happened throughout the year. So, it seems fitting that this article I wrote back in Sept. should be published now. It encapsulates my thoughts on the essentials of belly dance wardrobing in a simple top 10 list. I look forward to 2010 and all of the new costumes to make, old costumes to renovate, dances to dance and shows to watch. I wish you all a happy, creative and profitable new year!
~ Davina ~ Dawn Devine
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Top 10 Costuming Tips
Costuming is one of the most fun – and most challenging – parts of being a performing dancer. Your costuming reflects your taste, style, budge and if you make your own costumes, your talent! It’s a well-known style axiom – you have only one chance to make a good first impression. Here are some new twists on classic costuming tips to help put your costume wardrobe to work for you!

1 – Fit is it! Regardless of the style of your costume, your size, shape or even the cost of the garment, fit is extremely important. The bra should support and enhance the bust. The belt shouldn’t slip or twist. Skirts shouldn’t be too short or too long. Good fit will instantly make your costume look more expensive.

2 – Invest in quality construction. Buy the best you can afford! If you are making your costume, use construction techniques that you are most accomplished at for the best results. When you are shopping, be sure to inspect your costume pieces for good construction details. Strong seams, well applied surface details, firm beadwork and sturdy fringe.

3 – Prep your costume before wear. To extend the life of your investment, prep before wear. Strategically placed drops of glue on the back-side of your costume pieces will secure knots and prevent embellishments from flying off in a spin. On hip-wraps – often prone to abuse and breakage – mount hooks and eyes rather then relying on tying – which will abrade the embellishments. Take care of any hanging threads, repairs and fitting issues before you take the costume out first its performance.

4 – Coordinate your performance. Matching your style of music, movement vocabulary and costume choice will create the most balanced and harmonious performance. Tribal costuming, with classical Egyptian movement, and Greek music might lead to confusion – especially if you are performing to a discriminating audience.

5 – Don’t forget the “five layers” of costuming. Bring all five layers up to the same level. These five layers – Base Grooming – Makeup & Hair – Costume – Jewelry & Accessories – Props. The costume is just one, though large, part of your total presentation.

6 – Don’t forget class-room and event attire. Your belly dance wardrobe is not composed of just what you wear on stage. Dancers appear in three major settings: in performance, at events, and in class. Be sure to invest in buying clothing and costume pieces that will support all of the areas of your dance life.

7 – Keep a “Look Book” As your costume wardrobe grows and develops, making your own “look book” will help keep you on target with future shopping and sewing plans. What do you put into a look book? Whatever you helps you document your costumes. Photos of different combinations, spreadsheet of parts and pieces you own, notations about costume and accessory pairings, swatches of cloth – really – anything that helps. Use a binder, sketchbook, journal or go electronic with a blog, website or simply a folder with your dated photos.

8 – Build good costuming relationships. Consider your favorite vendors as part of your personal wardrobing team. Let them know what your long-term goals are so they can assist you in building your wardrobe. Most dealers keep their clients needs in mind when shopping – so establish a good working relationship with a vendor and they will keep your ideas, goals and budget. Not good at sewing? Find a seamstress, tailor or costumer who can fit your costumes for you.

9 – Invest in a good bag and check it twice. No matter what type of bag you prefer, be it a tote, suitcase or backpack, invest in the best quality you can afford and keep it stocked with performance basics so you don’t have to repack each time. Tuck in a packing check-list so even if you are in a hurry, you can consult your list to ensure you’re not leaving home missing an important component.

10 – Care and repair before storage. Develop an after the show routine that will allow your costume to completely air out before putting it way. Take care of any cleaning or repair issues before you put your costume away. If your costume gets stored in a clean and wearable state, then you can pull it out in a moment’s notice to go to your next performance.

Dawn Devine ~ Davina – Sept. 2009
Author • Costumer • Dancer • Historian
www.davina.us