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If you are going to Cairo it is best to make an appointment to see the costumier at the beginning of your visit. That way any adjusting or fittings can be done before you come home. The costumiers deal in cash only, no credit cards,you can usually pay in Egyptian pounds,sterling or dollars. A word of caution- it does not always work out to have costumes made for you starting from scratch. Its is a risk and is very much buyer beware. It is always best to buy something that fits, or can be easily altered, from the atelier if you possibly can. I have had some very expensive disasters!!! I write from my own personal viewpoints other people may have completely different experiences. Sizing- if you go with a dance group you will always find the younger and thinner ones get more attention, if thats you enjoy it but if thats not you you will have to be more assertive to get what you want. Some of the costumiers(certainly Hanan and Eman) are doing larger sizes these days and up to UK size 16 will find a limited choice but something to try on at least. It can sometimes be a bit disheartening if you are not a regular size 10/12. To consider before you splurge All designers have their own signature looks and its a matter of finding a designer that makes costumes that complement both your body type and your way of dancing. I've had fabulous costumes in the past that have looked great but felt terrible to move in. You always need to remember you are going to be dancing in whatever you buy so its no use buying a costume that obscures your movements however flattering it is. It also needs to fit-you don't want to spend time tugging at it, will it creep up when you move, will it allow you to do the range of movement you require. Is it so heavy it weighs you down, will the skirt swivel round? Does it look nice from all angles? If you dance in restaurants, will people you are dancing for recognise it as a bellydance costume. If in any doubt don't buy.
I love Hanans designs. She designs for all budgets and has larger sizes-up to Uk size 16 will find something here. You can find some really modern stuff and also more traditional. Her bedlahs are great reasonably priced and adjustable at both sides of the belt for a great fit. Most of my costumes are made by Hanan.
Lately Hanan has started to make some beautiful modern looking costumes. Here are two in action.
Hanan makes fabulous dresses using beatuful beadwork. She is an excellent designer for people who want some covered up glamour.
WEBSITE- www.queenhananmahmoud.jeeran.com E MAIL hananmahmoud2005@yahoo.com 15 Mahtet Street How to find her in Cairo
I am about a UK size 14/16 and I have a choice here. I've only ever bought off the peg but I know of people who have had custom made and they have been fine. Wether the fact that everytime I've been here it has been with UK costume dealers who stock her stuff has helped that I don't know. Hanan is lovely and very helpful and her equally nice and helpful husband speaks fairly good English STOP PRESS-Hanan will be coming to the UK in 2009. She will be attending the October JOY festival.
Eman used to be a dancer herself and now she makes some very creative and beautiful designs for dancers. I know many dancers who swear by Emans costumes and look wonderful in them. She is also costumier to the stars Dina, Randa, Soreya and Leila have all worn her costumes. Recently she has started to make bigger costumes. A size 16 or 18 will not have a massive choice but there might be something to try.
I love these Pharonic designs that Eman does using scarabs, lotus motifs and gold and blue fabrics.
WEBSITE www.emanzaki.com EMAIL e_zaki42@hotmail.com Address: 40 El Mesaha St. Dokki. Cairo How to get there. Taxi to the Cairo Sheraton. Walk to the roundabout at the back of the Sheraton and face the Pyramisa hotel. There are two roads going either side of the Pyramisa a main road to the left of it and a minor road to the right. Walk down the minor road. On your left is the Russian school on your right a motorbike show room. Go in the large doorway between a gift shop and the showroom. Eman is first floor. Her name is on the door (Next door is Raqia Hassan). Alternatively you can get a taxi to the Pyramisa Hotel, Dokki. Make sure you are at the main entrance.Walk towards the minor road and turn right, walk till you get to the the doorway described above. My experience I have had 3 costumes from Eman.One was not great quality and I remade the skirt. The other two were beautiful. Unfortunately due to rapid weight loss I sold them on fairly quickly and I only got chance to dance in each one once. Both were so beautiful I did not want to make any alterations and risk spoiling them. I have every intention of buying from her again in the future. She is a lovely person and wants to see people look good in her designs. Workmanship can be a bit hit and miss in terms of quality. Not the designer if you want lots of beading and fringing. Her dresses for larger sizes have a kind of Hollywood glamour/Mae West about them and I loved mine but didn't feel like a bellydancer in it-if that makes any sense. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Tine Valois wearing a gorgeous Hanan two piece costume.Tine now lives in Denmark. She was a popular teacher and performer and member of the Tarab company in the UK for many years and still comes over to teach the occaisonal workshop.
Sabrina Owen looking fabulous in her Hanan leopard frock. Sabrina teaches in Leeds and also performs at the Spice Quarter restaurant. She is a member of the troupe Banat Eshorouk who perform group dances from the Middle East and organise events. Click 
Great value galabeyas that suit all shapes and sizes. She makes them in all colours in various patterned fabrics as well as plain. Excellent for saaidi and shamadan
The entrance to the building.
I love these trouse costumes for Saidi. It has a tie top as well which Randa has taken off by this time in her set. (Trouser gossip:Randa was the first dancer I ever saw in Cairo to wear trousers the first time I saw her wearing them was for her oriental opening number they were very wide and split down the outside. She nearly always seems to wear them for her saaidi set now) Trouser costumes have got increasingly popular. Soraya first wore this same design but in beige at the Ahlan Wa Sahlan festival several years back now.
Soraya wearing an Eman Zaki galabeya. All designers seem to do their own version of the galabeya. Its a very popular style for your saaidi set (if you are not wearing trousers as above)
Randa in a costume made from assuit fabric. Assuit is used in costumes used for baladi/folkloric dance. You may be interested to read this article on Assuit fabric. (link to come)
Randa in her Valentines day costume. Notice the hearts hanging from the skirt,the heart cut outs and the way the bra is constructed to look like a heart. Eman is very creative with her designs.
Here's Vanessa Clipsham in a gorgeous and very classy Eman costume. Vanessa will be dancing at the next Bellydance Boogie in Shipley (see 
Leila wearing a beautiful Eman Zaki dress.
