HP1050 "Karolinka's Krystal" Professional Belly Dance Costume $340
Costume custom designed for myself in collaboration with Hoyda - but skirt its just a tad shorter than I like for myself :(
By Hoyda of Egypt, with Karolinka
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SOLD Made in Egypt.
Big sigh!!! I WANT THIS. It was supposed to be mine!!! Hoyda had shown a similar costume in a different color; I saw it and thought it had possibilities but felt that some changes would make it much better, and I was jonesing for purple. Et Voila! Unfortunately the skirt, though completely do-able if I was a reasonable person, is a squidge shorter than what I really, really want. So, you benefit!!
The large rhinestone jewelry pieces are high quality, all soldered, not glued together, real glass crystal rhinestones, as are the swags. The hip adornment is actually attached, currently, only at the front. It is a solid one piece 'belt', and if sewn on obviously would not stretch; so it is left loose for you to position as needed. It actually has a short chain and hook in the back, like a necklace or belt. For the photos I (surprise!) used small safety pins, one on each hip, to hold up the jewelry. I danced around in it like this and it would totally be fine in performance this way (tacked on just on the sides, maybe the back), it stays put. So minimal work to do there!
All edges are finished with silver glass seed beeds, closely spaced looping "3d" style, very rich looking. I've got the top of the slit pinned together in the photos, I thought that looked better since the rhinestones hang down over the top. And, if the skirt is snug on you, like most high slits, it will probably gape a little at the top - it did on me, which was reason number 2 for tacking it together. Easy, no problemo. I like tight skirts ;).
Of course the tailoring and all finishing is impeccable. Beautifully cut fit-to flare three gored skirt, cut on the bias so it hangs and flows spactacularly. The fabric is GORGEOUS flowing lightweight stretch, purple with purple metallic overlay (miniscule, random and closely spaced dots, not glitter that falls off). The bra is the FANTASTIC (pick the name you like:) Dina style, UU style, W style. If you aren't familiar with it, you may be leary. But believe me, this style of bra has become my absolute favorite (when well made, as this one is). It will fit ANYBODY, I swear (have to add fine print as long distance vendor, of course; I can't guarantee it, but this has been my experience). Though the cups are quite cupped, they fit snugly up against you,. You can be tiny and hardly fill them, and they fit (and you'll look great if you pad and tape, as everyone should!!). You can be a bit too big (technically), and they will cover the important parts without squeezing the rest of you into strange bumps and folds, and stay put as if glued on! You rarely see any other bras being used by the top haute couture designers these days.
Accessories: Very long gauntlets, soft headband.
Age/Condition: New.
There are no more of this exact costume in stock. COMING SOON (but not now, please don't ask!), certain (not all) costumes WILL be custom-orderable indivdually. When that is possible, there will be PLENTY of notices here on the web site, you won't miss it. I'm not sure exactly when this will be put into operation. Please WAIT for notices on the site saying it is possible before asking ANYTHING about 'custom ordering' (I just don't have any info on it now), until then NO COSTUME, INCLUDING THIS ONE, CAN BE ORDERED - IT IS NOT ORDERABLE AT THIS TIME
If large version photos don't seem very large, especially the detail, which should be pretty gigantic, you may need to do this (applies to Internet Explorer (IE) only): Click the "Tools" menu at the top of the IE window. Click "Internet Options". Click the "Advanced" tab. You'll see a "Settings" list of items you can check or uncheck. Scroll down until you see the heading "Multimedia." There should be a checkbox setting something along the lines of "enable automatic image resizing." You DON'T want automatic image resizing, so uncheck the box if it's checked. CLick the "OK" button. "Automatic image resizing" takes images IE considers too big and makes them smaller, so you never are sure if you are seeing an image at the size the website author intended. Turning off "automatic image resizing" simply means you will see all images at their "real" sizes, it will not affect anything else.
A general statement about HP series costumes (by Hoyda of Egypt): these are truly works of art and outstanding craftmanship,
extremely high quality work and attention to detail. I've been almost overwhelmed to tears at how well they are made (less work for me!). The prices on these are frankly misleading; compared to what else is on the market I feel I could easily charge at least $50 - $100 more for these and you would still be getting a solid deal -- but her prices are reasonable, she believes dancers shouldn't have to mortgage their homes for quality professional costumes, and I'm overjoyed to be able to pass that on. A few points: only high quality fabrics; ample use of real glass crystal stones; any acrylic 'crystals' are very high quality, sharp and clear. Primarily glass beads without over-use of plastic (almost never!) or acrylic, and when acrylic novelty beads are used (as on most high end costumes, for example, in the fringe - beads that are available ONLY as acrylic!) they are lovely and high quality. Only heavy weight thread is used for beadwork, never doubled or quadrupled 'normal' weight sewing thread; the finishing of the beadwork itself is equal to and usually better than the best you will see in the industry (including high end designers); always completely and cleanly knotted. Cut, tailoring and finishing of the costumes is equally professional; no fraying, unfinished chiffon edges, messy thready hems or cockeyed zippers.
