Italian promotional poster – From Russia with Love – including fantastic belly dance image and Gypsy chick fight. Which got me wondering – what does the English language version look like? So I looked around and found the US version… Check out the differences in what the belly dancer is wearing. In the US version her costume belt is far lower and she is drawn with more clarity and detail. The artwork looks less like the same artist, and more like it was “redrawn” to produce a more aesthetically or culturally appealing message.
Bras of the Stars
Showgirls are Showgirls… Belly Dancers, Burlesque, Broadway, Vegas.. we all have one thing in common – we all LOVE to wear a hot and spicy embellished bra!
This season on Dancing With the Stars, we’ve been treated to a host of incredibly sexy, complex and lovely dance bras. Here are just a few of my favorites.
This first bra worn by Melissa Rycroft is cute-cute-cute. The bra has been worked into a cute little cropped top with a ruffled edge around the neckline and adorable cap sleeves. This style of top would look fantastic with a Mediterranean fusion costume. And isn’t that jeans-style belt treatment adorable?
Another fantastic ensemble is this light and fluffy two-piece ensemble worn by Edyta. Her bra is covered with rows of pleated fabric applied as a surface embellishment. This technique, used for centuries is known as ruching and is very popular in formal and ready-to-wear as well as dance costuming.
This costume is so fantastic, had such great flow, I couldn’t help but imagine an entire troupe in this simple, yet elegant ensemble. The sleeve treatment is fantastic, and though Edyta doesn’t need them, they would cover a multitude of problems.
The silk has such dramatic flow, fluffy and light. This patterned effect can be achieved with a spray-bottle of dye or fabric paint. Just be sure to use a light hand as you spritz your fabric and follow the directions of the product you choose to use.
(Check Dharma Trading, they have a large selection and tons of information on dye, fabric and dying techniques.)
One inexpensive and easy to make style of bra is simply a “shimmy bra” covered with rows of rayon chainette fringe. This lovely ensemble features a parti-colored two-toned color scheme made with four rows of 2″ fringe. Here Jullianne wears one, beautifully exicuted, proving that simple can look fantastic!
For dancers with petite bustlines, this style will add fullness when still and tons of movement as you dance. A simple row of sparkling trim can be achieved with rows of sequins, glass beads or a rich combination of beads and sequins together. To make a completely matching bra and belt, echo the same number of rows of fringe. Or, if you are feeling particularly flirty, you could make a straight skirt with a long slit, and apply rows of chainette all the way to the ankle.
Alternately, a chainette belt will look fantastic with a classic chiffon skirt or over a slinky mermaid skirt. You can find chainette fringe on the web. I buy mine from Lace & Trim online, but chainette is available from most retail fabric stores.
So if you are looking for inspiration visit the ABC website to view photos and full-length episodes of the latest season.
How do YOU put on a bra
Hello Gang,
It’s been a few weeks – perhaps a few more than a few weeks. My six-week window for unpacking my studio has turned into two months. At this moment, I’m down in San Diego for the annual Comic-Con international. Since I’m spending some time away from home, I thought I might get some quality web-surfing time in before the convention begins.
With my never ending fascination with bras, I thought I would share some links to video clips, websites and lots of things all related to the magical and mysterious bra!
Enjoy!
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
1 – For the Bra Obsessed – Commercials with a sense of humor
- How do you put on a bra – from Just My Size
- Bravissimo from the UK – I love that they have their sizes on cards
- James Bond Parody
2 – Bra Info and Other Stuff – These videos on YouTube are all about bras – some are quite informative – others.. well… if you have the time and more than a passing interest in bras, check them out,
- Vintage two-hankie model from 1921 – Silent Movie era instructional!
- Make a cup-form from clay
- The Bra Business
- Measuring for a bra
- How to fit a Bra
- Fitting the band
- How to fit a sports bra
- How to measure and fit a bra
- Bra Fashion Show
3 – Need to get bigger-sized bra? Check out these webstores for the latest style. Don’t forget to check out the larger department stores in your area, especially for a professional bra fitting – and of course – there are discounters with a wide variety of options and lower price points!
Last Night’s Project…
Hello My Friends and Fellow Costume Enthusiasts,
In a departure from my standard “tribal light” style of jewelry, I’ve made one of my most elegant creations ever. Tiger eye, garnet, sterling silver and, amazingly enough, already sold!
Over the next six weeks,
I’m working on three major projects.
Project #1 – Jewelry for the Silicon Valley Open Studios – In May, I will be participating in the SVOS tour. If you are in the greater bay area, and would like to see my jewelry in person, it will be on exhibition the first two weekends in May at the Westerfeld Studio in Palo Alto. For more information about time, location and the other two artists I will be showing with, visit my page on the SVOS website. Hopefully, I’ll have enough jewelry to exhibit. Wish me Luck!
Project #2 – Book Anyone? Yes, my new book is coming along.. but shhhhh.. I’m trying to keep it under wraps until it’s at the galley stage! I’m drawing and writing daily, and I hope to have it finished before Tribal Fest in May. I’ll be at Tribal Fest 8 hanging out, watching the dance, and enjoying one of the most FANTASTIC shows you can see in Northern California. And perhaps, if I am really good, I’ll have those galleys done-enough to show! Wish me luck!
Project #3 – I’m Moving! Not far.. but far enough to require me to pack up my studio and move. This is an exciting time for me, as I move even deeper into the beating heart of Silicon Valley. Hey – if you work at Google – invite me over for lunch!
So.. I’m putting my head down and finishing up a few items on my workbench.
Like this lovely necklace and others like it for the SVOS show.
Now – if I can just make them and NOT sell them right away..
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
http://www.davina.us