HP1051 "Treasured Elegance" Professional Belly Dance Costume $335
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SOLD Made in Egypt.
This spectacular piece is a virtuoso work of art in beautiful, lavish detailing done with a perfectly elegant and subtle touch.
Standard costume bra completely integrated in black lycra "top" with long sleeves, open back.
Skirt is fit to flare cut, but behaves differently than a skirt made all of same fabric. The opaque side is black stretch lycra with diagonal/curved strips of ruched lycra, emphasized by flower sequins. The shaped right lower flare is soft black mesh. Because of the detailing on the lycra it is heavier and tends to hang, while the soft mesh flares out beautifully as you move - overall an exciting and lovely effect.
Beadwork primarily glass seed beads. There are no Egyptian bugle beads ("square cut bugles") that are sparkly but have sharp edges and tend to snap thread after a while. Regular small gold seeds, extra large black glossy seeds ("e beads"), large silver seeds are outlines and curving designs; accents of holographic silver and gold sequins, iridescent clear sequins that add perfect touch of now you see it, now you don't shimmering peacock green. Many shaped acrylic novelty beads with foil insets that look like tiny rhinestones (you've seen them, used often on high end costumes - stars, flowers, etc.) at design centers. Six petal flower sequins are the repetitive design you see in lines. Variety of novelty beads, glossy and acrylics, add just right small touches of color and texture. Fringe accents in hip bead work are double strands, about 3". Top third is glossy glass black seed beads. Remaining is, on one strand, extra large silver glass seed beads, beautiful enamel-look black with gold acrylic glossy rounds and a large drop at the end; other strand is same but seed beads are gold, and has three large rice beads of the enamel look black/gold.
Beadwork on skirt mesh is also lavish; scattered designs echo beadwork elsewhere. Stand out detailing is seven fabric flowers (low key, not big and poufy), which gather the mesh slightly, it's beautiful; each centered with high quality 3/8" acrylic amber crystal. Three accent flowers are repeated at top of skirt, centered with amber crystals surrounded by glass rhinestone chain which dangles several inches and ends in gold seed bead bauble. Bra top is completely covered with beadwork (reasonably, only top side of sleeves).
Straps of skirt are pretty permanent; you could remove if you really wanted but they are very integrated in design. Slightly offset to repeat assymmetry of skirt design; top edge of skirt drops slightly on one side of strap attachment adding to interest, also very flattering. Straps probably intended to simply fasten in back; they were long enough for me to add an extra "X" and attach to bra, so you can play with them as you like for variety.
Accessories: Moderately wide matching soft headband.
Age/Condition: New.
Bra
Sleeve length (from wrist to sleeve/shoulder seam, as on a regular shirt; NOT to top of shoulder or where bra strap would be): 18.5"
Sleeve ends (how long it hangs from wrist): longest ('bottom') = 10.5", shortest (top of hand) = 5"
Skirt Top: Smallest body will reasonably fit approximately = 31," largest body will reasonably fit approximately = 37."
Skirt Hips at widest: Smallest body will reasonably fit approximately = 34," largest body will reasonably fit approximately = 40."
Straps: One side is 20.5", the other 21". Almost no stretch.
Skirt length: 36."
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.
> Click For "How to Buy a Costume that Fits", explanation of my sizing, how to apply it to you, also some tips on altering. VERY HELPFUL
DO NOT CALL OR EMAIL ME WITH SIZE QUESTIONS OF ANY KIND UNTIL YOU HAVE 1) READ THE LINKED PAGE ABOVE (How to Buy A Costume that Fits), 2) READ THE FULL DESCRIPTION OF THIS COSTUME INCLUDING NOTES GIVEN WITH THE SIZES, 3) TAKEN YOUR MEASUREMENTS NOW AND CAREFULLY COMPARED THEM TO MEASUREMENTS GIVEN FOR COSTUME IN QUESTION. Please! I'm overwhelmed with emails/calls, which keeps me from posting new costumes! It may be hard to believe, but many, many questions are answered by taking a little time to do this -- even if you think you understand my measurements and/or know yours. Even if you are totally confused (or only know your size in a non-US format - page gives help converting). If you still have questions after that, I'll be delighted to answer them (please email vs. phone if you can -- love to talk to customers, but much easier for me to answer emails quickly) . Thank you VERY much, I greatly appreciate it! - K
- Brief Explanation of notations used below.
- Underbust measurements are NOT a good way to judge bra fit, please read this (short).
Should fit range including: wide 32 D, 34 C/D/D+, 36 A+/B/C/C+. Max underbust = 36."
Largest cup sizes probably a squeeze, but the fact that the bra has sides (is like a shirt) gives you more leeway (and coverage).
Photos are of actual items for sale unless noted. Due to variations introduced by the camera, the lighting, and your computer monitor, colors in real life may not appear exactly as on your screen.
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