chapeaux

chapeaux is French for hats, but I use the term loosely...headdress is a better word, because something beautiful or clever or imposing or fierce or silly on top says something powerful about the bearer...a way of defining & staking claim, a way of extending our reach, declaring meaning & taking a stand. I make hats, and collect them, because little bits of velvet & net & uncouth glitter are inherently pleasing.  But there's always more to the story, isn't there?  One of my dance teachers, the great Carolina Nericcio of SF's Fat Chance Bellydance, said it best: "Dance is about delight.  It delights the dancer to do it, and it delights the audience to see it."                                                  

Cyndi liked my hat.  Which pretty much validated my entire life.

the original hair garden

bellydancers from the old school made their own costumes, always...out of necessity, but also because things made by hand have an energy that is grown, organic, intentional...+ you can make it exactly how you want. 

DIY couture if you will...this bra is Texas meets Tuareg. I made the earrings & headdress.  I'm obsessed with flowers in all their forms, as an ancient symbol of la femme....old & new, blooming & dying, faux & real, feather & fabric & pearl & leather & metal &....

the belt is salvage from an old 20's beaded gown...lovely things shouldn't go to waste