KCRF bellydance costumes

[clevermanka]

My I'll Go With You buttons arrived, so the locals who said you wanted one? Comment below or email me to schedule a time to pick 'em up.

For those who asked, a quick walk down memory lane of me in my various KCRF dance costumes. If anyone's interested in seeing my whore street character costumes, let me know. I'll put those in a different post because this is quite enough pics for one post, and I don't have as many of those, so I'll have to go digging in other people's photo sites for them.
Way back to the year we had a stage show. I think this might've been around 1997? redheadfae, help me out here.

I'm including that photo because here is that same bra and belt, a decade later:

I make costumes to last, y'all.

2004:

In case you can't tell, I am balancing a sword on my head here.

2005:


Possibly one of my favorite photos of me, ever. From 2006:


In 2007 I created one of my favorite costumes. I loved it so much I recreated it when I changed shape. I didn't alter it. I sold the original and completely remade it. Here's the original:

and the 2009 remake:


Also from 2009:


I made this in 2010 (I think). If I had to pick a favorite dance bra/belt set, this would be the one:

Here's a better picture of it that's not taken at KCRF.


This is my last dance costume, which I made in 2013. I have no pictures of the back. You'll have to trust me that the back of the belt is amazing. Lots of mirrors and tons of that drippy chain:

Comments

[splix.livejournal.com]

God damn. You are beautiful. And I adore your outfits - the one with the sword and the second from the end are my favorites. *gapes*

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Aw, thank you!

I wish I knew who took that orange costume/sword pic. I found it on someone's FB page the weekend after it was taken--some patron who was at the show and then another KCRF performer saw it and forwarded it to me. The last two were taken by local and all-around awesome guy Shane Linden (https://www.facebook.com/PSLindenPhotography?pnref=lhc), who is an amazing photographer (seriously, all my best dance photos are from him). He wants to do a shoot with me (and has for a while), but I haven't modeled in FOREVER and I know I don't have the energy or stamina for it now.

[splix.livejournal.com]

Ah, I hope you are able to do a session with him sometime.

I'd like to see the other costumes as well!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I'll see what I can scare up!

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Such gorgeous costumes and SUCH a gorgeous dancer!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

[kazoogrrl.livejournal.com]

The 2007/2009 is my FAVORITE! So rich, and I love the 2007 photo.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Hey, if you're in the range of a 32D to 36D and 40-46" hips, that bra/belt set is looking for a home.

[kazoogrrl.livejournal.com]

Ooo, tempting! Could the bra band be extended (can't see how it closes)? I'd have to measure my hips, too. What are you asking for it?

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

It's not a band in back, it's one of those back-cross-loop things. Um, like this:


If I could get $50 for the bra/belt set (includes shipping), that'd be super. I've found homes for most of the others, but the two from 2009 are still in my storage bins. The green and black from 2009 is the same price and would also come with the green handkerchief skirt (note, the bra on that one isn't lined). Ask your troupemates if they'd be interested! I'm happy to ship them to you together if you find someone who wants the green one. It doesn't have a cross-back, but could be easily adapted to one. I'll even send a few yards of that green and black brocade trim.

[kazoogrrl.livejournal.com]

Let me measure my hips and I will email you!

[kazoogrrl.livejournal.com]

I still wear my first tribal coin bra I made in 2005. I could freshen up the ties but otherwise its still good (and I am lazy).

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

Holy carp, those costumes are fabulous and you are stunning!!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Thank you for costume compliments! I can only point to a lucky genetic dice roll for the latter. =D

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

I'm in absolute awe that you made those! They're killer!

[thetimesink.livejournal.com]

A very nice roll of those dice!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Whenever I'm having a really crap day health-wise, I say to myself "Well at least you're pretty." =D

[thetimesink.livejournal.com]

I have no reply that couldn't be constructed as sexist, inappropriate and/or a come on...

That said? Hell, yes!!!!

[indybaggins.livejournal.com]

Oh my, you are so gorgeous!!! I mean, the outfits are great, but, um... *tries to focus* You're getting even more attractive as you age, I'm not even kidding... <3

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

[write-out.livejournal.com]

Holy shit, hello gorgeous! These are stunning. YOU are stunning! Those costumes are amazing and I am in awe that you created them. I don't know if I can pick true favorites, but I keep going back to 2004 and 2010's costumes.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Thank you, bb! I will agree, I design some gorgeous costumes. =D Fabric embellishment is my fave.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

Oh wow! I know we had a couple/few years of that stage, and the last year I remember it was 99/00, the year of the soaking wet skirts, so you're probably right about the time frame.

How the hell were you so thin in 09? Oh that's right, working your ASS off, literally. I like your look much better in later shots, so much softer and sexier.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that was the year I took over Smoker and was the only dancer, every week, every day. I was also in much better health and exercising regularly on top of dancing every weekend. I think miischelle stepped in maybe once or twice to give me a day off, but otherwise it was all me.

Honestly, it was fantastic to do that for just one year.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

Oh and PeeEss.. I still love 2005 so much because it was so damned unique.
Also.. must get buttons from you! Are you back to 5pm quitting times now?

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

And yes, I'm off at 5pm nowadays. I could always leave them in the mailbox for you, if you're off earlier, though.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

Yes I'm off work at 3:30 most days, 2:30 today. Let me know and how much of a check to leave for you!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Ah, I just now got this and I'm already at work, so too late for today, but I'll leave them out for you on Monday. No worries about paying me. They're free to good homes that will use them.

[grnvixen.livejournal.com]

Oooo MAMA!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

[sherwood21.livejournal.com]

Button!

Your costumes are gorgeous. You have crazy fantastic skills. :)

Also - sewing with knits. I did a bunch of time trades for people, so I'm working at least the next three weekends. But if you wanted to try and get together for an hour in the evening during the week (depending on your energy levels), we could do that. I can come to you with my tote-o-knits.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Oh I would love that but honestly I hate to plan something for a weekday evening because my energy levels are so unpredictable. HOWEVER, if you would be interested in coming over during the day sometime, maybe after you wake up (I don't know your sleep cycle), I would take vacation time for that!

[gentlespirit.livejournal.com]

WOW! You are incredibly talented! Have you ever done costumes for theatre?

I think my favorite photo is the second to last one--you look like you have learned secrets and are deciding what you will do with them.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Thank you! The only costuming I've done is dance costumes and the whore costumes. Well, and my Halloween costumes. I've never been involved much in theater except high school and we mostly just used thrift-store stuff--very rarely had custom made things for the show.

you look like you have learned secrets and are deciding what you will do with them

Well that's not untrue... =D

[aprilstarchild.livejournal.com]

So amazing! I never got serious about belly dance but the costumes!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

The costumes kept me in it for a good long time, TBH.