From Turban to Toe Ring (Spiral-bound)

by Barry Brown (Author), Dawn Devine Brown (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
From Turban to Toe Ring is a guide for designing and making tribal-fusion belly dance wear. This style, which originated in the San Francisco dance community and has spread world-wide, is fast becoming one of the most popular costuming options. Tribal-fusion costuming is an assemblage of design elements pulled from many different tribal, rural, and nomadic peoples from North Africa, across the Near and Middle East, and as far away as India. Surface design techniques, articles of clothing, and jewelry components are fused together to create a look that blends all of these items into an exciting and uniquely individual image for each dancer.

This book will be an excellent reference source for the libraries of dancers, costume designers, historical re-enactors, and dancers who want a break from the high glitz and glamour of cabaret-style costuming.

From Turban to Toe Ring contains numerous hints, tips, and directions for making, designing, and assembling a tribal-fusion costume, including:

* A country-by-country breakdown of tribal jewelry styles from the Berber people of Morocco to the Ribari of India.

* Patternmaking directions for several different choli and salwar designs.

* Directions for traditional surface embellishments, including applique and shi-sha.

* Mehndi (or henna), from mixing the paste to creating your design.

* Adapting Indian textiles, such as the toran and chakla, for tribal-fusion dancewear.

* Extensive bibliography and guide to historical research of Middle Eastern costume.

About the Author
Dawn Devine Brown is an author, costume historian, and belly dancer living in California's Bay Area. She has been belly dancing for over fifteen years and has been designing costumes nearly all her life. She has degrees in both Art History and Costume Design. Dawn is also the author of the widely-acclaimed book about Middle East dance wear, Costuming from the Hip.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 102 pages
• Publisher: Ibexa Press (March 24, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967817013
• ISBN-13: 978-0967817019
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #346,391 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best I've read, August 6, 2001

By	Jessika Simon (Fox Island, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This book has everything for the bellydancer who is in for the long haul. It includes patterns of all the basic "uniforms" and how to adorn it. This book will save you hundreds of dollars in costume costs and they are gaurenteed to fit because you sew it, and can with little experience. There is also a good section on make-up and Henna and a huge research section.

I was also excited to see the section on what certian symbols mean and the many drawings that show how many ways to wear one outfit.

This is a must have for any dancer.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars From Turban to Toe Ring, May 18, 2000

By A Customer

I found this book very inspirational! Having recently begun taking Belly Dance lessons, I find myself becoming more and more fascinated with the different styles of costuming. The book has provided me with a great source of ideas, and I notice that I am constantly following the advice it gives; to stay on the look out for various random pieces of jewlery or textiles that could be incorported into a costume. A wonderful creative resource.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Tribal Must Have, August 3, 2000

By	Janie Midgley "Belly Dance Costume Designer &... (Las Vegas, Nevada USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you are in love with the style of Belly Dance known as American Tribal, YOU MUST HAVE this book. It is loaded with wonderful information and fabulous illustrations. Even if you don't plan to make your own costumes, this book will help you put a costume together.