Wawak Sewing Supplies Co. Catalog The Wawak Catalog was the brainchild of Frank Wawak early in the 20th century. A professional tailor, Frank, wanted to offer supplies to other tailors.  He opened his first store in 1907, serving his neighborhood…

Showgirl red lipsticks are a mainstay and staple of the belly dancer’s makeup arsenal. This spring, I’ve chosen to clean up and declutter my lipstick collection. When I pulled out all the bullets and tubes, I found I had way…

What is a “Dina-Styled Bra?” You might find yourself in a situation where you’ve bought a used costume, take out the lining and discover there’s something missing underneath.  You take out the lining, take out the padding, and you’re left…

Sahary-Djeli: the Marvelous Hindu Dancer c. 1908 Sahary-Djeli is one of the most fascinating performers of the Salomania era between 1906 and 1915.  During this decade, she appeared on stages across Europe from London to Prague. In 1908, at the…

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…