PHOTO CREDIT: Above photo by John Rickman Photography, San Jose, California.
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Ask the Costume Goddess |
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Ask the Costume Goddess:
Headdress Ideas
by Dina Lydia
The Question
Dear Costume Goddess,
What is the best method for creating a beaded headband? I've
seen many poorly constructed and have never gotten my hands on
a good one. I also have a very short forehead and no bangs. What
is a good width and style? Women with high foreheads seem to
get away with all kinds of facial adornments - lucky girls!
You really design some gorgeous stuff! It's inspiring!
--Bareheaded in Colorado
and
Dear Costume Goddess,
I'd like some tips on costume pieces to wear in my hair. Normally
I wear my hair loose or with a few little pins to keep it out
of my eyes. But now that I have seen dancing photos of myself,
I concluded that I must do something else, for it doesn't make
me look like "a dancer".
--Oversea Dancer
The Costume Goddess Responds
Dear Bareheaded and Oversea,
A costume piece adorning the head frames face and hair nicely
and completes the theatrical image we like. I have a few tricks
I use to make simple adornments.
But first I'd like to mention that some types
of costume pieces on the head can turn into liabilities. Bulky
pieces can feel hot and heavy while dancing. Rhinestones and
other jewelry (especially on a tiara) can catch and snag veils.
Anything fastened to the hair with combs, barrettes and bobby
pins can slip or fall out. Tied scarves can come loose. Long
strings of beads on a headdress can whip around and smack you
in the eye when you spin. Coin headdresses are difficult to keep
in place while bending in any direction. So always practice with
your headpiece to avoid awkward surprises during a performance. |
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I wear only a headband or twisted scarf and I use elastic
to secure it on my head. The elastic is worn under the hair,
as illustrated, so it's hidden. You'll need about 12 inches of
1/4" or 3/8" elastic. It comes in black, white, gold
and silver. Use what matches your hair best. The white can be
tinted with permanent marker.
For a headband, use an ornate trim or ribbon 1/2" or
3/4" wide and 12 inches long. I suggest something with sequins
or jewels on it to add sparkle. Pin elastic to the ends and adjust
the elastic so it fits your head snugly. Sew, tucking raw ends
in neatly. Then you can get creative, adding drapes, pendants,
jewelry pieces, tiny coins, or beaded fringe.
If your forehead is small (like mine), wear the
band at hairline and keep the danglies small or let the headband
stand alone. I sometimes sew tassels or long earrings to the
sides as a substitute for earrings clipped to my (non-pierced)
ears, which can fall off. |
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You can also use a padded, fabric-covered rigid
headband from the store, again sewing elastic to the ends so
it hugs your head. This can be worn low or high on the head.
If you have a small forehead it will appear wider. Wear it as
is or cover the band with costume fabric, twist a metallic scarf
or wide sequin trim around it. The front or sides can be decorated
as described above. |
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Another variation uses a long scarf. It appears to be tied
so the ends fall down the back, but again, a hidden elastic secures
it to the head. I twist the scarf, or "stuff" it with
a roll of quilt batting about 10 inches wide to make it rounder
in the front. A second scarf can be twisted around this one if
desired.
--The Costume Goddess
Related Articles
Other articles on this web
site related to costuming for the head and hair include:
About the Costume Goddess
Dina has been sewing for more than twenty-five
years (yes, she started as a toddler!)
She's also an artist (Maryland Institute of Art) and perfected
her sewing techniques apprenticed to various designers, freelancing
for small theaters, restyling vintage garments, and altering
wedding gowns.
Dina fell in love with belly dancing costumes upon her very
first lesson. Now the pleasure of wearing her own designs, and
seeing others wear them, offers as much pleasure as dancing. She's
become expert as well in altering those troublesome ready-made
Egyptian costumes, and modifying designs to flatter individual
figures.
She holds workshops in Seattle to teach design and construction
of cabaret costumes, and analysis of figure characteristics.
She will also give private lessons, or resize or repair a secondhand
costume. She's thus earned her Costume Goddess title. |
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The Costume Goddess Tells All Costuming Books
Dina has published six books of her own on belly dance costuming
as well as writing nearly all the costuming section for The
Belly Dance Book. For information on her series of books, The Costume Goddess Tells All, see her web site at www.costumegoddess.com.
For reviews here on Shira.net of some of her books, see:
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Costume Goddess Photos
To view a photo gallery featuring pictures of Dina, costumes
she has designed, and her friends, either click on the choices below or visit her web site:
The contents of this page are copyrighted 2009 by Dina Lydia. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is forbidden.
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