Underpinnings

I had so much fun dressing the windows in my store last year! Business wasnt very good, though, and I had to give up the store. I thought that this was going to be a huge step back, but lo and behold! Business has been great this year! Go figure! I guess there is a time and place for everything. Now, instead of playing with my windows and frittering away my time entertaining my neighbors, Im actually concentrating on production! There is a time and place for everything and perhaps I'll have windows to dress again one of these days! I know I will!

Make an appointment to come visit me in my workshop!
kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Bryna

A ghawazee coat in magenta brocade. A deep hood and cut out upper bodice with lacing at the sides for ease and comfort - and style!

Modeled by Bryna Banks
Hair by Hairdoo Voodoo International
Photography by Christine Sugrue

Tribal Splendor

One of the many things that I love about tribal belly dance in its many forms is the way costuming can be layered depending on the gig or the weather or even for modesty sake. Here I have a silk ghawazee coat layered over a cotton ghawazee coat and a skirt. Over that I have a dance bra and belt constucted of hundreds of tiny bells.

I just made a blood red silk ghawazee for Miss Stasha. Oh dear god, she is simply stunning in it! I cant wait to see the photos!

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Bustle Hustle

This is a bustle dress that I reconstructed from a jacket that no longer worked for me. I took fabric from the skirt and added it to the jacket to create a somewhat period looking ensemble for a tea party.

Camo Dress

Halter dress fashioned from a silk parachute. Complete with paniers. Let them eat cake. God bless the army.

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Stencilled Docudrama

Hand stamped acrylic paint on layers of muslin. I have many ideas for making stencils and just dont get around to it - but there are so many very cool stencils out in the crafts and fabric stores. For little projects, I just get the Jacquard brand textile paint in the little jars from Rupert, Gibbon, & Spider. A small bit goes a long way. I usually dilute it with water for a rougher, more distressed look.

This original dress is undyed muslin with a green stamp. There is a layer of scrim covering the skirt.

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Pride 99'

Steven LeMay wearing a Regency period inspired coat for San Francisco Gay Pride.
Check out Steven's store : Retrofit, S.F.

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Period Impressions Polonaise

I could be wrong, but I'll bet that this is the most popular pattern that Period Impressions (#420) puts out. I have seen it on so many bodies in so many ways and it always looks wonderful! This is a very easy pattern to throw together if you have good sewing skills. And even if you dont, I would say that you could figure it out. Here, I have made it out of a cotton print - very simple and sweet for daywear. Perfect for those 18th century picnics.

For a 4th of July window display, I made this out of red and white check plastic picnic table fabric in almost 2 hours. (trim and all!)I placed a needle and thread with a drop of blood at the heart area to symbolize how disheartened Betsy Ross would probably be if she were to see the state of affairs in this country today. Of course, this is JUST my opinion and only shared by millions.

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com
http://tribes.tribe.net/kathleencrowleycostumecouture

Distress and Deconstruction

Velvet corset and patchwork skirt
Raw seams
No Hems
Unclipped threads abound
Gorgeous

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Bitches of Bizquick

Its getting to be that time of the year again and Im showing my wicked witch of the west ensemble. This was based on the Past Patterns #903. Black crepe and lace.

The hat is my design and must be ordered now in time for Halloween. Modeled by the Bitches of Bizkwick.

Models: Ginny, Moonalisa, kathleen

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

I Do Weddings

And prefer the unusual! No bows on the butt dresses for me! (unless they are way over the top!) I prefer working with a woman (or man) who thinks outside the box.

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

American Tribal Style

Saaidi is modeling various styles of cholis that were made from the FatChanceBellyDance choli pattern. Folkwear and FatChanceBellyDance collaborataed on a new pattern that is multisized and is fairly easy to put together with moderate sewing skills. I also make dance skirts, fringe belts and bras. I take a bra of your choosing, customize and embellish it to look like a work of art - a proffeshional looking dance costume that does not look like something pulled off a hanger in the lingerie department. (oh yes, folks, next to obvious pantie lines, this is my pet peeve!)

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Oh, That Dress!

Here is a Bjork inspired black swan dress. I had so much fun taking the head and neck off a toy stuffed swan and attaching it to the body of the dress. I created a stiff strapless dress that is lined, interlined and lightly boned. Loads of tulle ruffles set off the skirt. This woman is so gorgeous in her dress. Not just anyone can carry this off! (But everyone should try!)

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Medievalie Jacquardie Silverie Something

This costume is 34 years old and I just cant throw it away or get rid of it. I love the fabric, found it cheap somewhere, and I keep turning it into a new waifie fairie silver Jacquardie medievalie something-or-other. It was last worn at a fashion show benefit at Hairdoo Voodoo for youths with Aids. Perhaps it needs a new home. But at this point it has become one with me and we are joined forever.

Hair and headress: Hairdoo Voodoo International

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Victoriana Moderna

Black silk organza flatlined with taffetta gives this bodice an old world feel. The yards and yards of fine tulle ruffles combined with tulle puffed sleeves give the costume fluff and a fairy tale feel.

This was one of those rare times when I tried to follow a pre existing pattern by the letter. Except that I just added the ruffle to the face of the skirt in a non period way. Couldnt help myself! I am capable, though, of creating historicly accurate clothing - I love doing the research!
Flounced skirt: Period Impressions #602
Bodice: Period Impressions #409
The model is wearing my Fluffie Rufflie™ pantaloons of cotton and lace. See Posting below - they ROCK!

Hair by Margaret Friel of Hairdoo Voodoo International
Photograph by David Papas
I will post the models' name soon. Ive forgotton. Please Forgive. My bad!!

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Fluffie Rufflie Pantaloons In Action

Marsha Poulin and Kristine Adams of FatChanceBellyDance are wearing Fluffie Rufflie Pantaloons under their dance skirts at Tribal Fest 2007. Let it be said for the record that these are THE MOST comfortable pantaloon you will ever dance in! These are a loose fit pant with an elasticized waistband. The upper body is cotton or a cotton blend. Five layers of circular lace and assorted novelty fabrics make up the fluffie ruffles as the bottom half of the pant. They are open at the hem, not enclosed like the regular pantaloon. They swirl around your ankles when you move - you wont sweat in these like a more enclosed pant. They come in the same colors as stated in the Flufflie Rufllie Dance Pant post below. They look fabulous peeking out under skirts or layered under baggy pants.

2-3 month wait on these so order now! Custom fit to your personal measurements - check out my costuming tribe:http://tribes.tribe.net/kathleencrowleycostumecouture

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Fluffie Rufflie Dance Pants!

Fluffy Rufflie Dance Pant.

These are selling like hotcakes in the tribal belly dance world! I am taking custom orders only on these. The upper half of the pant is a soft coton/lycra that is very form fitting and comfortable to dance in. The bottom portion of the Fluffie Rufflie dance pant starts at about 4" above the knee and consists of 5 layers of bias cut ruffles. In all, this performance pant uses about 6 yards of fabric and are getting rave reviews for their durability and prettiness on stage.

Colors available are black and white or a creme/white combo. Ruffle fabric varies in style and consistency depending on availability - hence no two pairs are ever the same. Custom colors available for an extra fee and depend on what is available.
Check them out here: http://tribes.tribe.net/kathleencrowleycostumecouture

Wait time is 2-3 months. Order now! I can do a rush order for an added extra fee.
I ship worldwide!

Model: Samantha Hasthorpe of the Bellydance Superstars
Photograph: Kristine Adams of FatChanceBellyDance

Please inquire at: kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Easter Erling

Inspired by royalty, poets, and successful musicians from times of old, this coat was comissioned by Erling Wold to bring out his natural charm and flair for the dramatic. Outer body is made up of peach brocade. Inner body lined with a matching shade of peach. Pocket flaps, collar, lapel, cuff s and center back are embellished with brass dots that quickly oxidized to give the coat an overall old-world feel.

Oh, and it makes a smashing Easter bunny outfit!

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

I Like To Be In America!

I like the island Manhattan.
Smoke on your pipe and put THAT in!
Laurie Herraiz as West Side Story's Anita for the Castro Theatres' sing-a-long. She worked it as only Laurie can - and she won the look-a-like contest! She belted out the song and worked her skirt! Always work your skirts ladies - always work your skirts! Lavender poly twill dress with 60's petticoats underneath. That woman even dyed her shoes to match! My hero!

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Bell Hop Bop

Well, doesnt Erling Wold (brilliant composer and musician) look smashing in his little Bell Hop Jacket with matching pillbox hat!
This is actually Folkwear's Belgian Military Chef's Jacket pattern. Its a great little pattern for that ' I just jumped out of an elevator ' look!

Red wool with black collar and piping

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Brocade Ghawazee

Sandi Ball from FatChanceBellyDance is modeling a cutaway ghawazee coat of my own design. It laces up the side front for a nice fit and has a deep hood with long dangling sleeves at the elbow. This was in the Tribal Fest Fashion Show that I had in 2006.

Contact me for further info on this style:
kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Dalmation Darling

Over the bust victorian made from printed feax leather.

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Woodland Fairy

I made this little costume for the Fairy Tale Ball in Benicia back in the day. My paniers were so big that I had to be taken over to the ball.........not in a coach, not in a large pumpkin drawn by cute mice, but in a pickup truck.

The panniers themselves are hard to see, but they are basically willow branches wired together and wrapped in plastic ivy and flower garlands. Then I dyed and distressed muslin gauze to be draped over the panniers. The gauze skirt is embellished with pearls, paper mache snails and red mushrooms. I then took that idea and with the same materials made myself a mushroom and ivy flowered headdress fit for a fairy queen who had just climbed up out from under a rock. My M.O., I'm afraid :)

The corset was made from gold lame backed with black cotton and fully lined and boned in the 18Th century style. The front, along the boning seams was hand beaded with teeny little mica beads.

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Animal Abuse

I make pasties too!

Thanks to Spike for being such a great model!
Photography by Kristine Adams

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Ruffle Madness

Ruffle madness created for Annida Greenkard. Snake skin patterned flocked velvet. Tiers and tiers of bias cut ruffles. Yum!

I used Folkwear's Flamenco dress pattern and added 3/4 length sleeves, and 3-4 more rows of ruffles to add quite a dramatic train.

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Victorian Plaid

This Victorian inspired costume was created for Steven LeMay of Retrofit in San Francisco. We used about 15 yards of Joe Boxer seersucker fabric, Burgundy Jacquard, and lots of fun upholstery trims! Joe Boxer isn't just for underwear!

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Tartan Madness

Aeden Wolf is looking chill in his tartan jacket!
This was commissioned by his mother who purchased the wool in her native Scotland. I took an existing pattern of a basic man's jacket and graded it down to size, then narrowed the waist, added tails and drafted a nicer lapel. It turned out quite lovely if I do say so myself!

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com