Islamic Art - Paradise Found

Hello Gang,

As many of you know, for more than a decade, I was an art historian. Today, though I teach dance and costume design, I frequently find myself slipping into "lecture" mode as I talk about Islamic art. Many belly dancers choose to study the cultural arts of the Middle East, and are frustrated by the limited amount of imagery available to give visual context to written histories. Dance, as an ephemeral art form, was only recorded sporadically in visual representations and textual descriptions. Logically, we know that dancing girls existed, but where are they in the historical record?

Well, today I have the pleasure of sharing a fantastic documentary on Islamic art - the best I have ever seen. Paradise Found: Discovering Islamic Art features noted British art critic Waldemar Januszczak in a grand sweeping survey of the art and architecture of the Islamic world. The focus of this program are the myriad depictions of paradise that are found within Islamic art. The presenter takes us on a journey across time and throughout the far flung territories that compose the Muslim world. This is a lush presentation by a passionate historian and who genuinely adores his subject. He introduces the viewer to some of his favorites; images of sumptuous gardens, amazing architecture and beautiful objects. Each work is invested with the same lofty and yet earthly goal, to evoke a sense of paradise. As you watch, keep your eyes open for historical images of dancing girls, some of which are quite rare and unique. Because, what would paradise be like without belly dancers?

I hope you enjoy this program as much as I do.

~ Davina ~ Dawn Devine
Author • Costumer • Dancer • Historian www.davina.us

Paradise Found: A Documentary on Islamic Art and Architecture

Beyond the Red Carpet - Oscar Dress Contest

Behind the Dress - Designer Challenge
Fashion Design Contest for the Trophy Escort at the Oscars

Although the whole world was focused on the procession of starlets and handsome hunks slinking down the red carpet, I was excited to find out who won the "Behind the Dress" contest to dress the trophy escort for the 2010 Oscars. (Who knew there was a technical name for the model who delivers the Oscar to the podium?)

This is the second year of this Academy sponsored contest. The goal - have website visitors vote for their favorite team of designer and model. The winning model then appeared on the Oscar broadcast wearing the winning dress. A career defining coup for the chosen designer.

A bit like a mini Project Runway, the contest is presented in a series of short webisodes hosted by Carson Kressley of Queer Eye fame. If that wasn't enough reality TV for your taste, also appearing are Adam Shankman, producer of the academy awards (and noted judge of So You Think You Can Dance) and his assistant fashion coordinator Toni Pickett selected the models and designers that appeared on the runway.

How did the contest work? Designers from across the US submitted sketches. The wardrobing team at the Oscars culled out their top designers, auditioned the models and then paired the designers and models together. These teams then went head-to-head on the runway. The winning team, selected by popular vote ensured a job for the winning model and global exposure for the designer.

Didn't get a chance to participate? Didn't know this was happening? You can check out the six short webisodes and the runway presentation now on the Oscar website. I loved the sophisticated lemon-yellow gown sketched by Elda De La Rosa Design above and the lovely steely gown designed by Oday Shakar to the right. Visit their website to check out all of the designs. A lot of fun - and who knows - perhaps you will submit next year? (I have it marked on my calendar!)

View all the "Behind the Dress" webisodes

Turquoise - the color of 2010

Hello Gang!


Whew - after an epic month of whirl-wind travel, it's good to be back home. During my travels, I had a lot of time to read an epic quantity of fashion magazines, from London, Paris, Rome and right here in the US. During that time, I attended MAGIC - the largest wholesale buying event in the US, and looked at a myriad of styles for late summer/fall.

The biggest color trend – Turquoise.
Each season, Pantone, the color company, releases a trend watch portfolio of colors along with sketches from leading designers. “The” color of the year, 2010 is #15-5519 – Turquoise. Along with a palette of soft garden-hued tones, turquoise is a bright standout that is at once reminiscent of Hollywood pools and Turkish pottery.

In the fall, the brightness of turquoise is going to mellow into the rich glow of #16-5418 – Lagoon, a delicious warmer and greener tone that will fit in with both the warm chocolates and pale grays that will dominate falls neutral palette.

What this means for dance costuming is availability to fabric, trims and embellishments in these tones. If you are into slinky styles, swimwear fabrics offer a broad spectrum in watery shades from pale aqua to deep rich marine blues. For jazz or yoga style pants, tie-tops and cholis, mermaid style skirts and long elegant dresses, stretchy spandex fabrics will hug where you need but still flow and drape beautifully.

If your more of a buyer than a maker – now is the time to shop for costumes in every shade of turquoise, check out the styles available in this color palette from your favorite dealers!