COSTUME GALLERY 6: NOVELTY
Why
wear a novelty costume?
If you have a humorous, original or whimsical element on your costume,
it says, "I don't take myself too seriously." The audience
smiles with you, and this helps you relax and overcome stage fright.
Your performance and music choices become novel as well; you feel less
constrained to stick to the standards. The audience appreciates originality,
and they'll remember you.
The novelty could be as simple as a
decoration: a huge flower or funny headpiece, temporary tattoos, glittery
cosmetics, "Arabian" slippers with curly toes.
Or the novelty could be a "themed"
costume like the ones below. More themes: Mermaid, 20's Theda Bara-style,
or Jungle Queen. The usual guidelines apply: figure-flattering, good
taste, moving ornaments, and sparkle. Have fun!
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Warrior
Queen
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Medfest 1999~ Black leather, bronze, chains, studs, skulls, a
sword and an Arabic dagger.
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Belt and bra covered with silk flowers.
Blossom-sprinkled lacy handkerchief ruffle sleeves. Flowered wristbands
and hair ornament inspired by the hula dancer. Flower earrings are from
a yard sale. |
Hawaiian Island Goddess
"French" style belt has three straps.
Multi-colored silk streamers wave
nicely with the slightest movement.
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Carmen
Miranda
Tutti-frutti headpiece on a striped glitterdot turban was a major
project.
Multi-colored rhinestones, bangles, metallic beads, gypsy skirt, and sequined
jacket with rhumba sleeves. |
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Black
Widow
Waving limbs, eight ruby eyes, black sheath,
hapless boytoy, and red sequin hourglass
on fishnet tummy cut-out are telltale signs
of a Gothic and man-eating nature.
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Lady
Liberty
Pictured in view of the Seattle Space Needle,
she appears at many patriotic demonstrations, such as the
Gay Pride Parade.
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Mother Nature is adorned with a variety
of
plants, flowers, birds, reptiles, insects, and
other creatures, even a tiny baby. |
Mother Nature,
MedFest 04
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Bayou
Goddess
The Mother Nature costume polished up for Saqra's
"New Orleans New Year 05" with lobsters,
crawdads, and magnolias: it won first prize.
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Spirit of New Orleans
Tragically, the New Orleans we know was nearly
destroyed later that same year by Hurricane Katrina.
Troupe Hipnotica and other Seattle bellydancers held a benefit for Katrina
victims, at which I appeared as
"The Spirit of New Orleans" in Mardi Gras colors.
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Spirit of Washington State
I am adorned with our
state's symbols: goldfinch,
rhododendron, dragonfly, salmon, grapes, cherries,
and apples.
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Crabfeast
Queen
I attended the Washington State Democrats'
Annual Crabfest, dressed appropriately.
Above, I meet national Chairman Howard Dean.
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