Happy New Year!
Let’s Finish This Book!
It’s the first week of February 2026 as I write this brief note for my friends, family, and readers worldwide. My prime mission for the year is to finish the rewrite of “Costuming From the Hip.”
2025 was a productive year on this project, and I’ve got a pile of content to edit. The text needs both a machete and a fine-tooth comb. The “past” photos need to be printed out and put on the wall. We will then stand back to see if they visually work together and are of the same quality, even though some of the images are quite old.
Along with the text, photos, and illustrations, we also need to create a new set of diagrams using modern illustration tools to ensure a consistent line weight throughout all the images. When we made the first book, the diagrams were a combo of hand drawings and very early computer graphics software.
Watch the video for more info, and be sure to sign up for our newsletter.
Belly Dance Mini-Magazine
In 2025, the “Belly Dance Mini-Magazine” got a glow-up. I personally miss the era of the printed belly dance magazine. From Arabesque to Zagareet and many of the ones in between, I looked forward to them arriving in the mail.
Magazines offered curated content, without the kerfuffle of hunting down quality information on the internet. In 2026, I’m looking forward to presenting 10 issues of the Mini-Mag for you to enjoy when you want to immerse yourself in the world of belly dance and costume history.
Thank you for your support and for continuing this journey with me!
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
Feb 2026
Ready for more about costuming? Check out last year’s “Blue Mermaid” project
