COSTUMING GUIDELINES for my student troupies!
Slideshow with some ideas to help you get the aesthetic we're looking for. More info below.
Colors:
Base of black. To this, you can add gray, black, cream (not white), browns, all metal colors such as brass, bronze, silver - but all must be aged looking, not super bright silver or gold. Inspiration from other cultures, from Art Deco and Art Nouveau, antique shops, and from vaudeville theatre from 1900 or so to 1940. Link for further study: FANTASY, CULTURE, AND DANCE INSPIRATION
Base of black. To this, you can add gray, black, cream (not white), browns, all metal colors such as brass, bronze, silver - but all must be aged looking, not super bright silver or gold. Inspiration from other cultures, from Art Deco and Art Nouveau, antique shops, and from vaudeville theatre from 1900 or so to 1940. Link for further study: FANTASY, CULTURE, AND DANCE INSPIRATION
Basics:
- Mermaid skirt or puddley harem pants (not see through) in black, gray, or silver,
- Highly decorated black bra accented in aged cream, silver, black, or gray (no uncovered bras or original straps from the bra base),
- Highly decorated matching belt, hip scarf in deep, dusty jewel tones (or with fringe, aged cream, silver, black, or gray),
- Tribal jewelry - at least 1 kuchi, Miao, or similar piece in silvery tones or brass tones, but including earrings, necklace, and at least 2 bracelet for each arm. Rings would be nice, but not required for the student troupe! Link: Great place to buy jewelry, also see links below.
- Nails should be either natural (unpainted) or black, silver, or dark dark red or cream polish (or sparkles!).
- Have at least one hair ornament in matching metallic, black, cream, grey or brown or deep red.
- Tribal makeup must be worn. Performance night isn't au natural night - we're a team and we all will be wearing either heavy stage makeup or lighter tribal makeup depending on the event. We should all be 'done up' to the same level. I will teach you how to do this when it's time, so don't worry! Dots, bindis, dark eye makeup, glitter, false eyelashes - all might be worn depending on the venue, lighting, etc. Please have some black eyeshadow (I like L'oreal Infallible eye shadow in Eternal Black), a nice fluffy eyeshadow brush or two, black eyeliner (both pencil and a wet liner with a felt type tip), makeup base, powder, blush, and mascara, and at least lip gloss. You will need red lipstick if we appear at a distance to the audience (such as on a stage). You can totally do it for cheap and grab all wet and wild products! I don't care! Just so you have all the basics.
- Medium to small bindi that matches costume - preferably rhinestone, clear cabochon, or black/gray cabochon.
- Hair will be different each time - we'll handle that later! But we should all either have it up, down, or partially both with similar amounts of decoration.
10 Commandments:
#1 - WEAR DANCE SHORTS. Yes. Do. There shall be no underwear-only costumes unless you're wearing pants. You can find them even at Walmart as biking shorts. They go partway down your thigh, and really are wonderful for making sure you don't flash your undies at anyone, which is not cool.
#2 - SIMILAR BUT NOT IDENTICAL to your other troupemates.
#3 - ASK AMY FIRST. If you're worried about making a large purchase and it not fitting with the guidelines, ASK AMY FIRST. Shoot me a link or photo by facebook inbox or regular email. We don't want you to make a huge investment, only to find out it's really not what we're looking for. Troupe costuming for the student troupe is very strict, and aesthetic isn't something you can get by peeking at this webpage for 20 minutes. Amy is happy to help!!!
#4 - VINTAGE. Not Walmart new. This especially goes for jewelry and anything with lace. If it's cotton lace, we can age it with dye! Ask Amy for a costume night where we dye laces, talk shop and work on hair and makeup (and have tea and cookies!).
#5 - AGED AND A TAD RAGGEDY. Not new. Bohemian and mysterious and deep and goddesslike - fairy tales and subtle details. I have ways to age new jewelry and of course we can tea or coffee stain newer fabrics, so don't worry! I will help you out if you have something you've already purchased that needs to be altered. I won't do it myself, but I'm happy to explain HOW to do it.
#6 - GO TO COSTUMING NIGHT!!! This occurs sometimes for Level 3 students. You will love it, you'll learn a ton, and you'll probably save yourself a bunch of money because you won't be buying the wrong stuff!!!
#7 - BE SQUEAKY CLEAN!!! We do not want to be known as The Camel Stenchies Student Troupe, so let's be sure to be freshly showered, hair scrubbed and clean, TEETH BRUSHED, deodorant worn ( or at least wash pits in restrooms a few times during the event as needed if you're not ok with deodorant), etc.
#8 - NO CRACKS. Yes, I expect you to say no to too much crack - please, no buttcrack showing - your costume must fit WELL. Also, no peeking nipples. If you're not sure it's good enough, it's not. Costumes can be altered to be sure everything fits!
#9 - BE A JUDICIOUS BORROWER - if someone is kind enough to lend you a costume item of any kind, GIVE IT BACK as soon as the show is over clean and in perfect shape. If it's not in perfect shape, PAY THE FULL PRICE FOR IT. That is the rule - I have spoken. I will not listen to drama about this.
#10 - DON'T BORROW OR LEND MAKEUP. End of story. Glitter - if it's not for the eyes.
#11 - A cover up will be worn most of the time when not performing. A large veil works (we'll show you how to wrap it!) or a Ghawazee coat - here are instructions for making one! http://www.shushanna.com/coats.html or http://www.flickr.com/photos/mishakitty/sets/72157606511834047/with/3555759399/
#1 - WEAR DANCE SHORTS. Yes. Do. There shall be no underwear-only costumes unless you're wearing pants. You can find them even at Walmart as biking shorts. They go partway down your thigh, and really are wonderful for making sure you don't flash your undies at anyone, which is not cool.
#2 - SIMILAR BUT NOT IDENTICAL to your other troupemates.
#3 - ASK AMY FIRST. If you're worried about making a large purchase and it not fitting with the guidelines, ASK AMY FIRST. Shoot me a link or photo by facebook inbox or regular email. We don't want you to make a huge investment, only to find out it's really not what we're looking for. Troupe costuming for the student troupe is very strict, and aesthetic isn't something you can get by peeking at this webpage for 20 minutes. Amy is happy to help!!!
#4 - VINTAGE. Not Walmart new. This especially goes for jewelry and anything with lace. If it's cotton lace, we can age it with dye! Ask Amy for a costume night where we dye laces, talk shop and work on hair and makeup (and have tea and cookies!).
#5 - AGED AND A TAD RAGGEDY. Not new. Bohemian and mysterious and deep and goddesslike - fairy tales and subtle details. I have ways to age new jewelry and of course we can tea or coffee stain newer fabrics, so don't worry! I will help you out if you have something you've already purchased that needs to be altered. I won't do it myself, but I'm happy to explain HOW to do it.
#6 - GO TO COSTUMING NIGHT!!! This occurs sometimes for Level 3 students. You will love it, you'll learn a ton, and you'll probably save yourself a bunch of money because you won't be buying the wrong stuff!!!
#7 - BE SQUEAKY CLEAN!!! We do not want to be known as The Camel Stenchies Student Troupe, so let's be sure to be freshly showered, hair scrubbed and clean, TEETH BRUSHED, deodorant worn ( or at least wash pits in restrooms a few times during the event as needed if you're not ok with deodorant), etc.
#8 - NO CRACKS. Yes, I expect you to say no to too much crack - please, no buttcrack showing - your costume must fit WELL. Also, no peeking nipples. If you're not sure it's good enough, it's not. Costumes can be altered to be sure everything fits!
#9 - BE A JUDICIOUS BORROWER - if someone is kind enough to lend you a costume item of any kind, GIVE IT BACK as soon as the show is over clean and in perfect shape. If it's not in perfect shape, PAY THE FULL PRICE FOR IT. That is the rule - I have spoken. I will not listen to drama about this.
#10 - DON'T BORROW OR LEND MAKEUP. End of story. Glitter - if it's not for the eyes.
#11 - A cover up will be worn most of the time when not performing. A large veil works (we'll show you how to wrap it!) or a Ghawazee coat - here are instructions for making one! http://www.shushanna.com/coats.html or http://www.flickr.com/photos/mishakitty/sets/72157606511834047/with/3555759399/
Get Ready, Get Set - Online Shops!
Here's a list of approved online shops - I know many of the owners personally and have bought from them before. Most of all, they'll have the correct aesthetic (look) for the student troupe.
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The Gypsy Kiss - my shop! A little bit of everything.
Opal Moon Designs - pants Apia - pants Kuhl Jewels - bindis Snake Church - Gorgeous professional costuming. Sirik Tribal - Tribal DIY components and jewelry Bearbait Ebay - Tribal DIY components and kuchi |
Siphonophoria - bras and belts
Benne Gezeritt Designs - bras, belts, headdresses (spendy~ but sooo worth it!) Oriental Cultures - gorgeous Miao jewelry from Thailand A'Kai Silks - beautiful silk scarves PaviaPavia - DIY appliques and trim |
Inspiration.
Awesomeness from Dusty Paik's Blog:
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Just Good Advice:
http://thekillroom.tumblr.com/post/773714035/etiquette-for-the-noob
Dusty Paik's Interview: http://loveandtrash.com/2010/05/dusty-paiks-bellydance-creations/Basics for your Tribal Fusion costuming. Part 1. http://thekillroom.tumblr.com/post/406410639/basics-for-your-tribal-fusion-costuming-part-1 BASICS FOR YOUR TRIBAL FUSION COSTUMING. PART 2. http://thekillroom.tumblr.com/post/410545203/basics-for-your-tribal-fusion-costuming-part-2 |
Slideshow with examples:
email: raven@thegypsykiss.com
