Tarik Sultan
New member
God, that could be a whole new thread, costumes we'd like to forget!:shok: We've all been there....
Tito's new costume
- Thread starter Pirika Repun
- Start date
God, that could be a whole new thread, costumes we'd like to forget!:shok: We've all been there....
Zorba
"The Veiled Male"
Tell me about it. Tito should wear whatever the 'ell he wants to - just like a female dancer does. Everyone, male or female, must find costuming that works for them, that they're comfortable with, and that they like.
If guys listened to everyone, they'd either end up wrapped like a mummy or completely nude!
Good to see you back, Tarik!
onela
New member
Awwww Zorba! It breaks my heart! I'm sure you fellas get a lot of flack over your costuming.
For the sake of conversation, what kinds of costuming do you find are both the most, and the least, controversial for a male dancer, and how does that compare to what you personally find the most appealing and that you most like to wear while performing?
Dev
New member
The costume is ok and could be worn at various specific occasions.
However the costume just doesn't look and feel good on Tito doing raqs sarqi , and its nothing to do with him being Egyptian . Its just plain bad taste. I think when we see a dancer for a period of time we build up an image and perception about the dancer and that blue costume does not support that image of Tito. But at the end of the day its his choice and he can wear anything as wishes.
If Khaled wears that costume he will be just fine.
I had a chat with a local male dancer who was born in Australia with Middle Eastern parents and he is quite aware about the costume situation, he thinks a lot of male dancers experiment with their inner self , sexuality or whatever wearing outrageous costumes on stage especially when they are performing outside of the Middle East ,for them it could be experiencing freedom without thinking too much of local norms etc, but doing so they sometimes end up with a very tacky looking costume like that Blue one.
However the costume just doesn't look and feel good on Tito doing raqs sarqi , and its nothing to do with him being Egyptian . Its just plain bad taste. I think when we see a dancer for a period of time we build up an image and perception about the dancer and that blue costume does not support that image of Tito. But at the end of the day its his choice and he can wear anything as wishes.
If Khaled wears that costume he will be just fine.
I had a chat with a local male dancer who was born in Australia with Middle Eastern parents and he is quite aware about the costume situation, he thinks a lot of male dancers experiment with their inner self , sexuality or whatever wearing outrageous costumes on stage especially when they are performing outside of the Middle East ,for them it could be experiencing freedom without thinking too much of local norms etc, but doing so they sometimes end up with a very tacky looking costume like that Blue one.
Well, as a hairy-legged female, I'd have to say yes. But I'm pretty choosy about my costuming
ETA: On revisiting the photo, I think that given the amount of chest fur he's sporting, I wouldn't be surprised or disturbed to see leg hair as well. It's not as if he's going swimming in it later...why should he have to shave? It doesn't distract from the costume for me.
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Tarik Sultan
New member
Pirika Repun
New member
I finally find his Black costume. Much better quality and can see better.
I thought I like this costume for myself, but I change my mind. I was too busy to watch him, and didn't remember the detail much. Anyway, here is his black costume. You'll be the judge.
Video was removed. I don't know why he removed it though.... Sorry if you missed the costume...
I thought I like this costume for myself, but I change my mind. I was too busy to watch him, and didn't remember the detail much. Anyway, here is his black costume. You'll be the judge.
Video was removed. I don't know why he removed it though.... Sorry if you missed the costume...
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Tarik Sultan
New member
That's one of the things I like about the gallabeya. It gives the movements a whole different level of texture. There's something to be said about the dramatic effect of flowing fabric. It was unique, but I guess now that the're so many boy dancers in Sharem that its become the standard uniform. Not much room for individuality when everyone's wearing the same thing. Anyway, I think he's experimenting. Personally, I think if the pants were fuller, perhaps a sturdier fabric than lycra and embroidery on the legs rather than see through mesh and not so much mesh on the top, it could work. I think it would be a simple matter of reorganizing the different elements and skipping some others.
Zorba
"The Veiled Male"
That depends on who you're talking to. There *is* a strong contingent that thinks males should always wear shirts - which I disagree with - and the bare chested look is all the rage in Greece and environs - which I also disagree with! Read around on the 'net, there are ALL kinds of rulebooks whose only commonality is that they disagree with each other! I ignore them all.
Speaking for myself, I prefer a two piece costume - I'm a Belly Dancer and try to look like one (Besides, I got a lower back tattoo for my 50th birthday; I like to show it off!)! The bottom portion thereof is anything the gals can wear, the top is usually a vest - but not always. Utah's male dancer "Raffa" pioneered a triangular top thingie that I copied for one of my costumes (so far). Not a vest, not a bra, not anything a gal could wear, it is very beautiful and shows torso isolations very nicely.
I'm still playing around with Tribal costuming for my Tribal side - the top I've been wearing is actually three separate items, kinda hard to describe. A set of HUGE kimono sleeves, a "spiderweb" thing for the arms, and a bit thing to cover the chest leaving a bare midriff. The folkloric troupe I'm in I wear the exact same thing as the gals (sans bra) - think Hahbi 'Ru. The old skool cabaret troupe I'm in is ditto - a "Majita dress" which is, of course, a one piece (and being made specifically for me, it fits correctly and looks good); and a new two piece cossie is in the works. No bras for me, of course.
But everyone, male and female, needs to find their own road. Tarik's costuming, while not my thing, is nonetheless very pretty and suits him very well. Tito's is reminiscent of some of DaVid's more recent costumes - I don't care for that style at all, but its their choice and beats a galabeya that hides everything. I like to see a bit more at the hips; especially on a male dancer - our narrow hip structure benefits from extra hip "stuff".
I'm also not at all afraid of skirts - considering them unisex garments (not dependent upon anatomy) and wear them in my everyday life. I seldom wear one when soloing - I figure the audience is going to have enough of a shock without being in one - but I frequently wear them in troupes so I can blend in better AND be able to perform skirt dances (we do a LOT of skirt dancing between the three troupes I'm in).
This is *my* road - I don't necessarily expect it to work for others. I consider myself a "liberated male", and grasp all the freedom I can! There's a LOT of fun to be had with costuming if you're not afraid to "go for it"!
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Yame
New member
I think it's very modern Cairo. Looks to me like a male version of the costumes worn by the likes of Randa Kamel.
I can't say I'm in love with the style, but that's what's "hot right now" and he's keeping up with the times.
While there is nothing modern Cairo that I would personally wear, some of it looks very cool on some people. The belly dance world would be very boring if everyone was into the same costuming style as me!
I can't say I'm in love with the style, but that's what's "hot right now" and he's keeping up with the times.
While there is nothing modern Cairo that I would personally wear, some of it looks very cool on some people. The belly dance world would be very boring if everyone was into the same costuming style as me!
Caroline_afifi
New member
Raqs Sharki in the modern day context does have a different look and this can be modern.
I dont mind the costumes which appear more modern or inventive and personally thought Tito looked Ok.. but then again, I am used to seeing these costumes worn by Khaled, Ozgen and other great dancers.
I appreciate it must be difficult to strike a balance of modern versus traditional when defining modern versions of mens Oriental dance costume.
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Tarik Sultan
New member
I think te problem in general is that there really isn't any precedent for male costuming. I think the base of the costume is fine, I'd just change around a few details.
#1: I wouldn't make the pants so tight. A different fabic other than lycra and a bit more flared from the knees, not quite a bell bottom. One of the problems with lycra is it gives panty lines especially that tight. The good thing is he does have strong legs. My downfall is my legs ain't got enough meat on them. Kind of limits what i can do which is why I tend to opt for the shalwar..... hides a multitude of sins!
#2:I wouldn't place mesh in the legs. I think the stones would have been enough.
#3: The placement of the mesh up top. I think it would look better with the mesh on the bottom of the chest only. The mesh on top and bottom gave it too much of a bra look.
#4: Contrasting color for the hip scarf, preferably white. That would set everything of and you could see the details of his movements better.
In anycase, I think this is an exciting time in the history of male dancers and costumers. Just think, when we're wrinkled old prunes we'll be able to tell people we were there and saw how it all happened!:dance::lol:
Greek Bonfire
Well-known member
While I think Tito looks great in this costume, I prefer more the looser fit as well. But I also prefer the looser skirt for women as well although the sleeker ones look great on a lot of dancers. I just like the style of seeing fabric flow as it compliments the dance. This is just my personal preference, and for those who want to wear the tighter fitting costumes, go for it.
Caroline_afifi
New member
I think much of the costume talk does come down to individual tastes and trends based on where you live.
The style of modern Oriental as seen in Cairo has no link to movement and swishing clothes and beads of any sort.
The focus is about movement of the body.. not the effect the movement of the body has on the adornments (if that makes sense).
Not everyone likes or suits the spray on lycra look that is Cairo right now, but at the end of the day it does suit the dance that it is trying to project.
It is very current.
The style of modern Oriental as seen in Cairo has no link to movement and swishing clothes and beads of any sort.
The focus is about movement of the body.. not the effect the movement of the body has on the adornments (if that makes sense).
Not everyone likes or suits the spray on lycra look that is Cairo right now, but at the end of the day it does suit the dance that it is trying to project.
It is very current.