pro ladies' costuming: whose do you love?

[alemana]

i spend a fair amount of time perusing photos of competitions, commenting to myself about the ladies' costuming i like and don't like.

taste is completely subjective, and certainly what makes a woman stand out on the dance floor is not necessarily the same as what's conventionally 'pretty.' still, i frequently i come across dresses/looks i find so incredibly atrocious i cannot believe nobody intervened. less frequently, i see things so gorgeous that my own interest in dressing myself to compete swells to the nearly-fanatical (and playing dress-up was LAST on my list of motivations when i became a ballroom dancer.)

i also enjoy forcing myself to disassociate liking somebody's costume from liking their dancing and liking their person. it's facile to hate on someone's dress if i know them and think they're a be-atch - too easy! even a be-atch can have a drop-dead gorgeous gown.

i was just thumbing through the photos on dancesportinfo.net from last week's International competition in England, and there are some pretty craptacular dresses to be seen. Joanna Leunis wore a succession of ugly creations, for instance - i liked none of them save a single, rather classy dress of bright red. Yulia, on the other hand, has a gorgeous white and silver dress that compliments her perfectly. (it's worth comparing the sets of photos of the two of them, actually - Joanna is the higher-ranked, but she looks rigid and/or ungainly in most of the photos I've seen of her. Yulia , on the other hand, is in near-perfect position in every shot.)

Olga Rodionova is another one whose costuming is always very eyecatching. She appears to have made something of a transition from drapey dresses to simpler, fringe-heavy ones, especially in bright baby blue - to markedly better effect, I'd say.

whose dresses do you like lately? why?

[wyllo]

That's a hard question -- I'd say very few competitors are consistent in what they wear. Sometimes I love their choices, sometimes I wonder what they were thinking.

Overall, though, I think I most frequently admire Lena Bacheva's costumes. She has created her own style that accents her dancing and she always looks fabulous and classy (well, all the times I've seen her anyway).

[alemana]

what do you like about them?

[fascination]

nancy senner and lisa vegas everytime...also katusha

[alemana]

darlings, the WHY is infinitely more interesting than just naming names. describe the costumes! praise them! gimme some DETAIL people! :)

[fascination]

darlings, the WHY is infinitely more interesting than just naming names. describe the costumes! praise them! gimme some DETAIL people! :)hmmm...I guess in these three cases there is a classic not too busy aspect to the ladies choices...at least the ones that I have seen...not too frilly not too gimmicky...simple classic and yet interesting...always something just a bit different in a way consistent with my own tastes

[Katarzyna]

For standard, I really like everything Christi Boyce wears (yes I know she's not pro). She always uses fabrics with a lot of movement, and frequently multi colored but not busy...

[alemana]

i like multicolored too.... are there any pics online you could point us to?

[swan]

Gowns, my favorite topic ;) As opposed to Alemana, I think dressing up WAS at the top of my priority list when I took up competitive ballroom dancing :)

I also liked Kristi Boyce's gowns a lot as well. A lot of them are 'shaded' multi color. The best actually is to go to http://www.farale.com to look at their shaded fabric. I know Kristi is sponsored by Chrisanne. Farale has a lot of similar fabric & can give you an idea of those multi color fabric. Things like Emerald shaded into mint or white, Dark pink shaded into white, or black shaded into grey, white, etc...Some are more interesting combo like red shaded into orange and then to bright yellow (my avatar's float actually has those exact shading - it was from Farale).

I totally loved shaded fabric gowns! The type of fabric that flowed well & the cutting would be those shaded satin chiffon. Chiffon always flows better than satin or lycra. I thought it was rather clever to have satin chiffon. But that's only for standard. I'm sure latin would be whole different story.

I also like Katusha's gowns. To describe them, typically they're elegant, flowy & very heavily stone decorated but w/ exquisite taste (not just overly done to gaudy looking). The gowns would make anyone wearing them very regal and 'princessy'.

I usually liked Alessandra Buccarreli's gowns. They will be more 'unique'. The gowns would not be of one particular style. I was a bit taken aback when I saw her gown in the recent showcase - those fine net bodice w/ just feather stuff covering her breast area. I was like, what was she thinking?

Anna Mikhed has very nice gowns as well. More traditional panel style cutting gowns, very fitted w/ nice floats which compliments her long, slender built.

To talk about some older generation pro ladies. I never liked Loraine Barrchi's gowns much :) Looked like pregnant lady gowns :) It's mostly empire waist style.

Amanda Owen's gowns kind of made her look like an old lady. Her black & white 'bat' gown in 2004 Blackpool was quite striking & unique when you would see it in person, but didn't come out well in video or photos.

[randomMysh]

I looooved the feather dress Yulia Zagorouitchenko wore at World Cup. I got to see it live at Liberty Swing in June, it was incredible, and went with the routine so well!

[Katarzyna]

i like multicolored too.... are there any pics online you could point us to? all 12 pages :

http://dancesportinfo.net/DisplayGallery.aspx?coupleId=2110

[Adwiz]

I'm a guy, so what do I know about ladies' costuming? But I know what I like:

Among the pros in Latin, I think Karinna Smirnoff has consistently outstanding taste in costuming, with Katarina Venturini having the sexiest costumes.

In Standard, Katusha Demidova has the best overall taste year after year, in my opinion.

[Standard Dancer]

I like the fading multi-colored look a lot, but don't like it in the satiny fabric. Maybe it looks better in person. I'm a fan of Alessandra Bucciarelli's dresses - just think the lines/cuts of her dresses are so flattering and elegant.

I'm a big fan of Ieva's 2004 UK Open dress ... black with a silver belt - so pretty! http://dancesportinfo.net/DisplayGallery.aspx?CoupleID=3652 as well as some of her other ones.

For latin, I liked Beata's and Karina's dresses - again because of the cut ... always very flattering.

[Joe]

I was never a big fan of Diana McDonald's costumes...

[Ithink]

i like multicolored too.... are there any pics online you could point us to? all 12 pages :

http://dancesportinfo.net/DisplayGallery.aspx?coupleId=2110

You know, for such a highly ranked couple, they have some funny, funny lines in those pics...

Anyways, back to the topic at hand, I always love Gioia Cerasoli's dresses whenever I see pics of her. And I usually like Alessia's dresses except for that weird fur dress she wore a few years ago... I actually actively dislike most of the British women's dresses (except Lyn Mariner), including Kristi Boyce (sorry Kat :( ), Lorraine, Joanne and Donna Shingler. I've never once seen any of them in a dress that appealed to my ballroom fashion sense... Most either look unflattering, overdone or just plain ugly... JMHO of course :)

[Katarzyna]

i like multicolored too.... are there any pics online you could point us to? all 12 pages :

http://dancesportinfo.net/DisplayGallery.aspx?coupleId=2110

You know, for such a highly ranked couple, they have some funny, funny lines in those pics...

Anyways, back to the topic at hand, I always love Gioia Cerasoli's dresses whenever I see pics of her. And I usually like Alessia's dresses except for that weird fur dress she wore a few years ago... I actually actively dislike most of the British women's dresses (except Lyn Mariner), including Kristi Boyce (sorry Kat :( ), Lorraine, Joanne and Donna Shingler. I've never once seen any of them in a dress that appealed to my ballroom fashion sense... Most either look unflattering, overdone or just plain ugly... JMHO of course :)I love Donna's dresses too, so I guess what I look for in a gown is exactly what you dislike.. :(

[Kitty]

i love donna shingler dresses
dislike joannes dresses
like the idea, but don't like how shaded dresses look on kristi boyce

love alessandra bucchiarelli's dresses including the feather boobs ones.
I thought the meh back looked really cool, but I'd do something differnet wiht the front: maybe have so real fabric covering belly and breast area instead of the feathers. Front doesn't matter too much in standard though...

[DancingJools]

I looooved the feather dress Yulia Zagorouitchenko wore at World Cup. I got to see it live at Liberty Swing in June, it was incredible, and went with the routine so well!
You mean this one :lol:

http://dancesportinfo.net/Pictures/Gallery/dancesportInfo/2_8776_1085_5127_DSC_5060.jpg

It's a great outfit, but a showdance costume and not meant for comp wear. She does look stunning in it, though.

I also like her white dress. She has a bright orange version of the same dress that is also spectacular. Actually, her customs are usually very suited to her dancing, and her figure.

You can see a lot more of her pictures at their website: ymdance.net. There is a phenomenal pic there of this show, but it's in a flash presentation so I couldn't copy the url.

By the way, if you're in the NYC area early in December, they'll be performing this dance and their other show (Space) in a special holiday party on Dec. 3 in NJ. I think they might also perform their whole new set of show dances (the 5 dances). I haven't seen them yet, though I've seen the pics on their website.

[Standard Dancer]

Wow that is a spectacular costume ...! Never saw a brown-ish colored costume pair I liked more ... really wonderfully done!

[alemana]

like that costuming too. funny, it looks a LOT like the much-less-couture costumes worn by a local salsa performance company in a "native american" themed routine they do.... i chuckled when i saw yulia's several-thousand-dollar rendition.

she does rock it, however, as previously noted.

[Katarzyna]

like that costuming too. funny, it looks a LOT like the much-less-coture costumes worn by a local salsa performance company in a "native american" themed routine they do.... i chuckled when i saw yulia's several-thousand-dollar rendition.

she does rock it, however, as previously noted.In this case, it's not what she wears, but how she wears it

[alemana]

that's *always* part of the equation.... it's all about the attitude and comportment, ladies!

[LXC]

I love Edita Daniute's gowns. They are elegant and romantic. Maybe on the 'girlish' side with the flower prints and laces, but I think they suit her face and personality so well. I also like Hazel Newberry's gowns, always simple, elegant but SPARKLING!

I love Loraine's dresses too but maybe it's just because I'm mesmerized by her dancing. She could be wearing rags and look like a princess to me.

[Katarzyna]

I personally really dislike Editas style.. dress, hair makup... She usually looks least striking on the floor in the am finals... I hear she looks better in normal every day clothes than the gowns she wears for comps... The gowns don't dress hear up, they look either strange, or just not flattering.. but that's just how I respond to her style...

[LXC]

Her gowns are different, which is part of the charm for me.

I've noticed that gowns look very different in pictures versus video. One particular red gown Edita wore in a IDSF championship looked horrible in the pictures online but I've seen the video and it was very fun and pretty.

[Katarzyna]

I think I liked only 2 gowns that I've seen her wear, one was golden simple gown with some other pattern made os shiny fabric, and the other was white and lilac flowy dress. I've seen her at Embassy wearing one of typical dresses and have to say I didn't like how they it looked live either..

She definitely has a different look than many people (Btw my blue gown is made by the same designer that sponsors her. they have some interesting dresses... they are all very.... elaborate:

www edda-hsu.de/web_page/dresses/dresses1.html

[alemana]

wow. those gowns are elaborate.

[Katarzyna]

I actually like the designer, I just don't like them on Edita. She gets lost in them and doesn't stand out.. I like them on other couples that wear them... such as:

http //dancesportinfo.net/DisplayGallery.aspx?coupleId=4698

[alemana]

holy floral overload, batman!

[spatten]

Amanda Dokman's dresses always seem to catch my eye - though I may not always agree with them. I thought the B&W from Blackpool was stunning.

Katusha has excellent taste, she always looks perfect.

Monica Baldaserroni seems to look youthful and exuberant in her dresses. With a bit of whimsy if you will.


As to the Latin costumes - with very few exceptions - I love them all ;)

[Katarzyna]

:lol: :lol: :lol: floral can be nice ... not always... :)

[Katarzyna]

Amanda Dokman's dresses always seem to catch my eye - though I may not always agree with them. I thought the B&W from Blackpool was stunning.
Blackpool last year? I really LOVED that gown

[alemana]

love black and white - anybody who can dig up a photo of that, i'd love to see it.

as for the super-elaborate standard gowns - i think i just need more exposure to them. i have been to a bunch of *local* comps in the Northeast and seen the same standard couples in the same costumes over and over... it wasn't until i went to USDSC, i think, that i had ever seen a non-American standard couple or had seen couture standard gowns.

oh wait, i take that back - i'd seen jonathan and katusha once, and surely her gown was the prettiest/most expensive-looking i'd seen up til that point. but she seems to stay firmly on the side of classic, as opposed to the (arguably) over-designed things we've been looking at/talking about the last few posts.

[spatten]

Blackpool last year?

Yep - that's the one. It was quite memorable, unfortunately she probably couldn't wear it much as a result.

dancesportinfo has some pics of the dress, search for the Dokmans then click on blackpool dance festival 2004.

[alemana]

LOVE

[lynn]

wow, very nice!

[alemana]

on this page are some nice pics of katusha's gowns - all good except for the "flower on the butt" one. a strange choice.

dancesportinfo.net/DisplayGallery.aspx?CoupleId=2754&compId=1580

[wyllo]

Yep - that's the one. It was quite memorable, unfortunately she probably couldn't wear it much as a result.

I do envy the top pros for that -- they can be daring with their costuming knowing that they don't need to wear it more than a few times. So I appreciate that some dancers do try to push the edge of fashion -- even if it sometimes doesn't work.

[alemana]

(btw to search for that black and white dress, make sure to spell it "dokman" not "dockman.")

[LXC]

Blackpool last year?

Yep - that's the one. It was quite memorable, unfortunately she probably couldn't wear it much as a result.

dancesportinfo has some pics of the dress, search for the dockmans then click on blackpool dance festival 2004.

I usually love black and white, but not this one.

Hazel's gowns in 2003 blackpool are among my favorites. dancesport.uk.com has some pictures

[SDsalsaguy]

on this page are some nice pics of katusha's gowns - all good except for the "flower on the butt" one. a strange choice.

dancesportinfo.net/DisplayGallery.aspx?CoupleId=2754&compId=1580
The white one didn't actually work either... it was very stunning, but as soon as they got into any real type of motion there was just too much of that dress. Seriously, I have phots of them dancing in it, and almost all you can see are billows of white! :shock: :(

[Katarzyna]

Blackpool last year?

Yep - that's the one. It was quite memorable, unfortunately she probably couldn't wear it much as a result.

dancesportinfo has some pics of the dress, search for the dockmans then click on blackpool dance festival 2004.

I usually love black and white, but not this one.

Hazel's gowns in 2003 blackpool are among my favorites. dancesport.uk.com has some picturesI thing this is one of the cooled dresses from last year..> Don't like anything Hazel wears... she never looks feminine

[LXC]

Don't like anything Hazel wears... she never looks feminine

Funny how individual tastes differ. I think Hazel's dresses are incredibly fiminine. I don't know how to describe it, but the 2003 Blackpool gowns she wore with all those layers of soft 'rufflry' (maybe the wrong word) fabric... nothing seems more feminine than that.

[Katarzyna]

Don't like anything Hazel wears... she never looks feminine

Funny how individual tastes differ. I think Hazel's dresses are incredibly fiminine. I don't know how to describe it, but the 2003 Blackpool gowns she wore with all those layers of soft 'rufflry' (maybe the wrong word) fabric... nothing seems more feminine than that.

Indeed, funny. For the most part, I see Hazels gowns as rather rigid looking, fitted, never any flowy fabric... from time to time everyone wears something nicer, but usually Hazel wears very boring fitted gowns... I don't think they are very flattering. She is very feminine in person, looks a lot younger too, whatever she chose to wear for competing made her look strong, and mature.. (not that it's bad, but just not my preference)

[alemana]

funny you should say 'mature.' i have a similar reaction when i see photos of them. i appreciate that because the obsession with youth can be a bit tiresome....

[Katarzyna]

funny you should say 'mature.' i have a similar reaction when i see photos of them. i appreciate that because the obsession with youth can be a bit tiresome....:)I know...

the reason I mentioned all this was because when I first saw her in person I was shocked at how much younger, better looking she was than when she competes... She looked so much more delicate in real life..

[Dancebug]

Indeed, funny. For the most part, I see Hazels gowns as rather rigid looking, fitted, never any flowy fabric... from time to time everyone wears something nicer, but usually Hazel wears very boring fitted gowns... I don't think they are very flattering. She is very feminine in person, looks a lot younger too, whatever she chose to wear for competing made her look strong, and mature.. (not that it's bad, but just not my preference)

I agree to your description of what Hazel wears. I interpreted Hazel preferred the dresses which would let her move freely during the competitions to the dresses that looked beautiful, but were not necessarily helpful to dance itself. That is why she goes for more "borign fitted" dresses than flowing fabric IMHO

[alemana]

i'm also sometimes surprised about how much younger the ladies look out of costume/makeup. the funny thing about Performance Costuming/Makeup is that one is thinking about making oneself visible from a distance, so that dictates all sorts of extremism.

however,ballroom events, with the exception of the super big ones, are small affairs where any old person can see the competitors up VERY close. it's not like when you go to see a Broadway show and the performers look consistently normal, despite their heavy makeup, because you never see them from any other distance except the distance between your seat and the stage.

so it's always jarring to see all the extreme, aging makeup and hair on the women.

[LXC]

Lighting makes difference too, that's why another reason why heavier make up is applied for competitions.

Hazel looks shorter in real life to me and I think it's partly due to the fitted gowns she always wears in compeitions which elongate her. Of course her great posture contributes too. I know it's all a matter of personal opinion, but I just have to say that when you have a great body like that, fitted gowns in my view are feminine, sexy and not at all boring, because they show off the woman's figure really well.

[Katarzyna]

I don't think Hazel's figure looks very flattering in the gowns she chose to wear.. I don't actually mind simple fitted gown, I just don't like them on Hazel.. Not sure if it's because of her body, or something else...

[scullystwin42]

As to the Latin costumes - with very few exceptions - I love them all ;)

I used to say this, until the new "very plain, but with a big stiff feather/ruffle thing right on the butt" style started happening. i don't have a picture, but i've seen it at a couple comps this year, heard it was "the thing" at blackpool, and i think it's freaking horrid.

i'll have to find a pic.

[alemana]

oh there are LOTS of bad latin style trends!

[scullystwin42]

big butt thing: www.photoreflect.com/scripts/prsm.dll?eventorder?photo=022X0048070137&start=0&album=0&adjust=-1

[Katarzyna]

big butt thing: www photoreflect.com/scripts/prsm.dll?eventorder?photo=022X0048070137&start=0&album=0&adjust=-1hm... knowing both people on the photo I will say nothing...

[scullystwin42]

big butt thing: www photoreflect.com/scripts/prsm.dll?eventorder?photo=022X0048070137&start=0&album=0&adjust=-1hm... knowing both people on the photo I will say nothing...

yeek. it's not a comment on their dancing at all - i thought they were very very powerful on the floor. hard to watch anyone else, actually! it's just the style of dress that i wasn't a fan of. the whole "tail" thing. dancesportinfo.net/DisplayGallery.aspx?EventId=7027&CompId=1580

[SDsalsaguy]

Yup, plenty of people I know who's costuming choices can, at least at times, leave much to be desired. :?

[Katarzyna]

They were wearing this outfit to showcase a new upcoming designer...
The girl is a striking performer, with a striking body, so it was a good choice to have her wear the designers outfit. But I am not crazy about the outfit at all... grrrr

[Ithink]

Wow, I really DON'T like that black and white dress on Amanda Dokman. I think it is very hard to make and carry off a satin dress I would like. Don't think I've seen one that I outright loved on anyone. Satin is probably my least favorite fabric...

I do have to agree that Hazel Newberry's dresses are kind of austere and not feminine, usually, especially in competition. I saw them do a show though and her dresses in the show were very nice.

I also agree that my favorite thing about Jonathan and Katusha is her dresses. They are always very, very feminine and she always looks great in them although I do also agree that sometimes they are too fabric-y and tend to envelop them while they dance which just gives one an idea they're trying to hide something.... When she wears less voluminous dresses, I tend to like them more.

[Kitty]

just looked up that amanda dokman's dress... and I don't like it either.
too many stripes - looks too busy for me
usually I love satin shiny gowns.

the black and white chiffon dress on 1st page I do like, though I think the floats are too big - can't see the dancing

[Kitty]

I like Hazel's gowns. That's a style I would probably wear if not Kat...

In fact I wore entire last year just 2 outfits:
a strict deep blue fitted syllabus costume and

a red Chrisanne that was a sponsored dress for Hazel

[Kitty]

Ithink, I am curious if you'd like this black and white satin gown:

on page 4 on Katya:
http://dancesportinfo.net/DisplayGallery.aspx?coupleId=21429

I love this dress

[Katarzyna]

I like Hazel's gowns. That's a style I would probably wear if not Kat...
:roll:

Hey, I am just sharing my opinions with you, you have free will :)

[Kitty]

I like Hazel's gowns. That's a style I would probably wear if not Kat...
:roll:

Hey, I am just sharing my opinions with you, you have free will :)

I know better
I have to listen to Kat. :lol:


I think I am just not too comfortable with the idea of dressing up and having all those open backs and floats...
sometimes I feel I don't deserve to dress up too pretty cause my dannicng is not worth it, or cause I'm not one of the tall ladies with beautiful backs and so on... so my mind goes to a turtle neck full sleeves closed back solid color dress...

maybe after I find and change several dresses that are more daring, I'll be more comfortable... problem is the currrent white one is the most open thing I've ever worn...

[Katarzyna]

maybe after I find and change several dresses that are more daring, I'll be more comfortable... problem is the currrent white one is the most open thing I've ever worn...

:?: :?: :?:

If I recollect, your newcomer blue latin dress was quite.... DARING.. so that shouldn't be a problem :)

[alemana]

i have similar feelings about "deserving" to wear something really special.. constantly plagued by body image issues, etc. tedious.

[Ithink]

Ithink, I am curious if you'd like this black and white satin gown:

on page 4 on Katya:
http://dancesportinfo.net/DisplayGallery.aspx?coupleId=21429

I love this dress

Incidentally, there are two black and white dresses on that page, one fade-y, one not (dress is white, float is black). Neither is my favorite, but I prefer the fade-y one...

[Kitty]

Ithink, I am curious if you'd like this black and white satin gown:

on page 4 on Katya:
http://dancesportinfo.net/DisplayGallery.aspx?coupleId=21429

I love this dress

Incidentally, there are two black and white dresses on that page, one fade-y, one not (dress is white, float is black). Neither is my favorite, but I prefer the fade-y one...

only one of them is a shiny satin dress... thats the one I meant. Satin shaded dress I really like. The other one is ok too but nothing special...

[Kitty]

maybe after I find and change several dresses that are more daring, I'll be more comfortable... problem is the currrent white one is the most open thing I've ever worn...

:?: :?: :?:

If I recollect, your newcomer blue latin dress was quite.... DARING.. so that shouldn't be a problem :)

this body image and modesty problem is a recent one....

besides I never wanted to wear the blue dress, my coach made me cause she said I am so modest I have to wear something daring for a change... she was hoping I'll finally become more latiny if I wear something like that for a while... I failed and became a standard-only dancer. :lol: joking

I actually think in latin I'd have no problem dressing up into something daring... It just seems to me like it is inappropriate in standard. Maybe cause I am next to a man in a tailsuit... or maybe cause my back is constantly exposed.. or maybe cause I am dancing in the open level now and freaking out...
I would wear anything in silver standard or newcomer latin....

[Ithink]

I think I just don't like anything gimmick-y and I feel like the black and white dresses are a bit gimmicky as in they're specifically going after contrast or something. And the satin - just really not my favorite fabric. The dress you pointed to, Kitty, is I think satin silk which is better because it moves better but still too shiny for my taste.

To me the best dress is something that makes the lady look beautiful not that it's beautiful in and of itself. A dress is to enhance the dancer not to be the end to itself. So the dresses that try too hard to do one thing or another (like try hard to be floaty, or sparkly or whatever) are not the best dresses. I like interesting dresses but intersting not in and of themselves but what they do for the dancer. Does that make sense? One of my favorite dresses that I saw in person was a lavender dress Andrea Hale wore in the finals of Adult Amateur at Nationals in 2002. She just looked stunning in it. It wasn't about the dress but how she looked in it. I feel that too many people, even in this discussion, praise the dress itself and not how the dancer looks in it.

[mamboqueen]

A dress is to enhance the dancer not to be the end to itself

Bingo. Same thing goes for bridal gowns.

[LXC]

A dress is to enhance the dancer not to be the end to itself

Bingo. Same thing goes for bridal gowns.

True. But these top lady dancers usually have such great figures so it pretty much comes down to personal taste.

[Ithink]

A dress is to enhance the dancer not to be the end to itself

Bingo. Same thing goes for bridal gowns.

So agree!! I just got married this summer and boy did I see some gawdy awful dresses! The dress I chose was the simplest, most undecorated dress I could find (and it was HARD to find!) and if you saw it, you'd understand my taste in ballgowns too. And noone at my wedding told me my dress was beautiful - they told me I looked beautiful in it which should be the goal!

[Ithink]

A dress is to enhance the dancer not to be the end to itself

Bingo. Same thing goes for bridal gowns.

True. But these top lady dancers usually have such great figures so it pretty much comes down to personal taste.

Yes, and there is no substitute for good taste, even for people with perfect figures :) Needless to say, even among those lucky ladies, taste is quite rare...

BTW, looking at some of those dancesportinfo galleries, I was struck that in 11 pages of Gioia Cerasoli's pictures, I saw not one dress I didn't like. I would argue she has impeccable taste.

[mamboqueen]

That's exactly as it should be. I know there are people who like ostentatious and ornate, but my motto is "keep it simple". I bet you were a fetching bride :)

[mamboqueen]

I was struck that in 11 pages of Gioia Cerasoli's pictures, I saw not one dress I didn't like

help....link?

[Ithink]

I was struck that in 11 pages of Gioia Cerasoli's pictures, I saw not one dress I didn't like

help....link?

Oh, sorry, can't deprive you of seeing what I mean about impeccable taste:

http://dancesportinfo.net/DisplayGallery.aspx?coupleId=2638

Some are better than others but all are uniformly pretty great!

And Kitty, I know that Gioia and pretty petite so maybe her dresses will give you some ideas...

[mamboqueen]

I like the designs of most of them. NOt crazy about the two-tone (whatever you call it...) colors, and I'm not a big fan of white (why wear white when there are so many colors that catch the eye??). My favorites are the coral one on the first page (she looks like a Goddess) and the peach colored one on page 7. She's a stunning woman.

[Katarzyna]

Most of the sponsored ladies don't choose all their dresses. If they are lucky enough they give an idea to the designer, and the designer creates something close to the idea.. A lot of times they just wear whatever happens to be shipped to them the night before. So some ladies simply have better designer than others..

[LXC]

Gioia's gowns are my partner's favorites. I love most of them too.

Well, if dancers do not always have a choice what they wear, then I don't think it's fair to critique their taste. Maybe we should go back to just the dress.

One dress that stuck in my memory is Katusha Wilder's navy blue dress she wore in 2004 National. Classy navy color with dramtic stoning really made it stand out. I don't think it has floats. Now that I think about it, a lot of the dresses I like do not have floats even though I personally wear floats for volume sake. It must be that in a sea of floaty and flowery gowns, these simple fitted ones stand out for me.

[Katarzyna]

One dress that stuck in my memory is Katusha Wilder's navy blue dress she wore in 2004 National. Classy navy color with dramtic stoning really made it stand out. I don't think it has floats. Now that I think about it, a lot of the dresses I like do not have floats even though I personally wear floats for volume sake. It must be that in a sea of floaty and flowery gowns, these simple fitted ones stand out for me.I remember it, it was a lovely dress!!!!

[Standard Dancer]

I think I just don't like anything gimmick-y and I feel like the black and white dresses are a bit gimmicky as in they're specifically going after contrast or something. And the satin - just really not my favorite fabric. The dress you pointed to, Kitty, is I think satin silk which is better because it moves better but still too shiny for my taste.

To me the best dress is something that makes the lady look beautiful not that it's beautiful in and of itself. A dress is to enhance the dancer not to be the end to itself. So the dresses that try too hard to do one thing or another (like try hard to be floaty, or sparkly or whatever) are not the best dresses. I like interesting dresses but intersting not in and of themselves but what they do for the dancer. Does that make sense? One of my favorite dresses that I saw in person was a lavender dress Andrea Hale wore in the finals of Adult Amateur at Nationals in 2002. She just looked stunning in it. It wasn't about the dress but how she looked in it. I feel that too many people, even in this discussion, praise the dress itself and not how the dancer looks in it.

Very true! I would say I'd like the dress to be somewhat nice by itself too ... as I think having enough sparkles helps draw your eye and such, but whatever that "gimmick" is, it should be just enough to keep it interesting, not so overwhelming it takes attention away from the dancing or worse yet, makes it impossible to see the dancing because of all the floats and pieces and dangly things. In general I look more at the cut of a dress and how it flatters or doesn't flatter a person more than the prettiness of the dress itself ... at least, I think that's what it is. It's hard to tell sometimes whether the dress is pretty in general or if the person wearing it is making it pretty. :D

[musicchica86]

Okay, I've been searching DancesportInfo's photo galleries for the past several hours looking for a certain picture and not finding one. I'm looking for a picture of a bright emerald green smooth or standard gown. I've actually been surprised at the lack of green as a whole.

So does anybody know of somebody who's worn or where I can find a picture of an emerald green ballgown?

Back on topic, :lol: I really like Kristi Boyce too. Especially the stoned mint green gown: http //dancesportinfo.net/DisplayGallery.aspx?coupleId=2110 (pics on page 10 and 11) The color combinations and shading patterns are all really elegant and they all look great on her!

[Katarzyna]

Back on topic, :lol: I really like Kristi Boyce too. Especially the stoned mint green gown: http //dancesportinfo.net/DisplayGallery.aspx?coupleId=2110 (pics on page 10 and 11) The color combinations and shading patterns are all really elegant and they all look great on her!Finally someone else who likes Kristy too :) I like green as well, in the future, I relly want a green gown (also gold and white would be nice)

[SDsalsaguy]

I'm looking for a picture of a bright emerald green smooth or standard gown.
JT had a great one earlier this year. I'll try and dig a photo up if you can't find one.

[Katarzyna]

I'm looking for a picture of a bright emerald green smooth or standard gown.
JT had a great one earlier this year. I'll try and dig a photo up if you can't find one.jt??? Who's that?

[SDsalsaguy]

She and partner Tony Scheppler won the 2005 U.S. Rising Star Smooth title at the Emerald Ball this year. I'll look for a shot that shows the color of the dress a bit better, but here's one pic for the time being: http://dancevision.com/gallery/14/426/

[Katarzyna]

Thank you, still not sure who they are, but I like the color 8)

[SDsalsaguy]

I have some more shots of them (form the 2005 Yankee Classic) in the bottom three rows at this url: printroom.com/ViewGallery.asp?userid=JSMphoto&gallery_id=202031&curpage=7

[musicchica86]

That's nice! Wish the color was a bit deeper though, it's still a little lighter than what I had in mind. It's the closest I've found though!

Well, I've gone through every photo gallery from 2005 on DanceSportInfo.net and haven't been able to find anything. What I'm really looking for is a dress the color of the sequins on the bottom of this one: http://dancesportinfo.net/Pictures/Gallery/PeterSuba/3_3652_1305_5626_05119712C.jpg

Does that help?

[Katarzyna]

Well, I've gone through every photo gallery from 2005 on DanceSportInfo.net and haven't been able to find anything. What I'm really looking for is a dress the color of the sequins on the bottom of this one: http://dancesportinfo.net/Pictures/Gallery/PeterSuba/3_3652_1305_5626_05119712C.jpg

Does that help?That would be a really nice color.. hm, I am sure one can get fabric like that and make one :)

[alemana]

reviving this thread to post a link to a photo i just found while looking thru the results on dancesport.info for the UK Open. check out the dress on this chinese latin lady (who finished 9th in the rising star) - in fact the entire look is astoundingly good, from hairstyle on down:

tinyurl.com/ae2qn

[alemana]

oh, here's ANOTHER chinese couple with terrific latin dresses! god i love these! so fitted, so glam without being either barbie or slutty or ugly:

tinyurl.com/94mkk

[Laura]

check out the dress on this chinese latin lady (who finished 9th in the rising star)

Wow, if that is the Shirley I am thinking of, she looks amazing. I was in China a year ago and there were posters of her and her partner all over the dance studio I was hanging out in, and the truth is she looked rather hag-ish to me. The costumes and makeup were all really over-done and kind of skanky looking. This is a vast improvement -- she looks absolutely wonderful.

[alemana]

hah, i know what you mean, there's a dancer of my acquaintence who has the skank thing down pat. but you're right - shirley nails the look (the RIGHT look) in that particular outfit.

[chachachacat]

I agree. I especially like the pink one.

[chachachacat]

I noticed the Italian couple, all her shoes matched her dress. Is this coming back in a big way, or only for the rich and famous?

I was referring back to the standard couple, can't remember their names.

[alemana]

which? i can't find it.

here's an italian with stunningly poor taste in latin gowns:

tinyurl.com/7jt9b

[Medira]

here's an italian with stunningly poor taste in latin gowns:

tinyurl.com/7jt9b
...my goodness.... :shock: :?

[alemana]

it is *fascinating* to see the variety in costuming. i'm trying to make some theories about it based on country of origin but it's pretty hard.

[Medira]

Fascinating, yes...and in some cases frightening, mind boggling and downright disastrous...

[swan]

Wow, if that is the Shirley I am thinking of, she looks amazing. I was in China a year ago and there were posters of her and her partner all over the dance studio I was hanging out in.

Yup, the same one! And according to my ex China partner, she has had some major 'help'... :) I won't go further here. Gossip banned on this forum :)

[chachachacat]

Yes, and there is no substitute for good taste, even for people with perfect figures :) Needless to say, even among those lucky ladies, taste is quite rare...

BTW, looking at some of those dancesportinfo galleries, I was struck that in 11 pages of Gioia Cerasoli's pictures, I saw not one dress I didn't like. I would argue she has impeccable taste.

About the colored shoes, this is who I meant.

[wyllo]

When I see a competitor in a particularly baffling costume I always wonder if she did it on purpose. It makes me think of an interview of a not-so-well-known actress a few years ago. When questioned on why she always wore ugly/outrageous dresses, her response was that famous actresses could get photos in magazines by wearing a tasteful black dress. She, on the other hand, could only get attention by being outrageous.

[alemana]

well, it is a struggle to be seen on a dance floor in a crowd of thin, overtanned women dressed in blindingly outrageous costumes.

[Laura]

I agree...everyone keeps upping the ante, and if the ladies aren't careful they will cross the line into drag queen territory.

Remember those hideous costumes in "Strictly Ballroom"? Well, when that film was made, the costumes were not far off the mark of reality. Things could get that level of bad (but different) again.... :-)

[alemana]

to wit:

tinyurl.com/8xvqa

[Laura]

I'm sure you noticed that her face photographed several shades lighter than her body.

This is not a look that says to outsiders "come join the glamorous and exciting world of dancesport!"

[Merrylegs]

to wit:

tinyurl.com/8xvqa

Oh dear. I was planning to color my hair a *very* vibrant red for my next comp (in 2 weeks) but after seeing this, I'm not so sure anymore.

I think her hair color has faded and she has dark roots, none of which improve with a camera's flash going off.

I'll skip the obvious comments about the costume, it's too easy. I will say, I wonder if she can actually bend her left arm with that armor on it? Seriously, it must be prohibitive to movement and it's got to be sweaty as hell.

Different is, different.

[fluffy]

I've noticed that faces often seem lighter than the body in photos, it could be light reflecting makeup has been used which looks fine usually, but makes you look pasty under flash, but I guess flash has not been used here, so I don't know what the answer is, I've come out scarily pale in some photos even though my makeup is quite dark....

I quite like red hair for latin *IF* it's well done, shiny, no roots etc. It's a fun look, so go for it if you want, but beware the pitfalls!

[Merrylegs]

I quite like red hair for latin *IF* it's well done, shiny, no roots etc. It's a fun look, so go for it if you want, but beware the pitfalls!

The pitfalls, I know, I know !!!!!

I'll keep researching products. I'm looking at Feria (permanent) and Manic Panic (semi-permanent). 'tho I feel a bit too old to be buying Manic Panic...

I'm actually dancing Smooth but have a gorgeous new emerald green dress to wear. I thought I'd rock some red hair to compliment the green.

[Medira]

I'm actually dancing Smooth but have a gorgeous new emerald green dress to wear. I thought I'd rock some red hair to compliment the green.
Ooh, that sounds like fun!

Of the two products you listed, I'd suggest Feria. I've talked to a number of people who have used Manic Panic for various things and it's been really hit or miss.

[alemana]

the way to go is to use both. color your hair (if you are ready for perm color, that is) with the Feria, then before the comp rock it out with some temporary, vivid color - this holds true especially for red, which fades quickly.

[Laura]

I used to use Manic Panic back in the day (I had electric blue and fuchsia stripes in my hair). The thing is with Manic Panic, it really only worked for me when my hair was incredibly damaged. It did a great job after I had had a few too many perms, for instance. I tried it again a few years ago (wanted a single purple stripe) and even though I hit the stripe with heavy-duty hair bleach first, the Manic Panic didn't take. Other friends of mine have had the same experience.

I like Feria, and second that suggestion. Which reminds me, I have to go do mine (blonde).

[alemana]

i'm going black for Northeastern. Bought the dye already. wish it could be red, but the dress is red.

[Merrylegs]

i'm going black for Northeastern. Bought the dye already. wish it could be red, but the dress is red.

I don't think all of those rules apply for ballroom. If you want to be red, go red.

Thanks for all the tips, I think I like the red dye and then the temp color over it. And, unfortunately I have been using permanent dye for a while now.

[alemana]

no no, i don't mean nonballroom rules. i mean, on a technical level, i don't think i can get a close enough red to make it look good with a red dress. i have seen shots of a red-costumed woman with dyed red hair that look GREAT - usually the hair is pretty close in color. if it's not close, it looks bad.

but red hair with a green dress - love that. you'll look smashing.

[Merrylegs]

but red hair with a green dress - love that. you'll look smashing.

Thanks. I'm a little concerned I'll look too Christmas-y.

[alemana]

only if you string lights around yerself :)

that's not planned, is it?

[Merrylegs]

no no, i don't mean nonballroom rules. i mean, on a technical level, i don't think i can get a close enough red to make it look good with a red dress. i have seen shots of a red-costumed woman with dyed red hair that look GREAT - usually the hair is pretty close in color. if it's not close, it looks bad.
.

I hear what you're saying. Although maybe you could do the permanent dye with a temporary color over it that was suggested to me.

[Merrylegs]

only if you string lights around yerself :)

that's not planned, is it?

Only if I drink the champagne before I dance.

[alemana]

exactly. you have to dye the hair twice, the second time right before the comp, and PRESTO, you are frightening! PERFECT!

[Merrylegs]

exactly. you have to dye the hair twice, the second time right before the comp, and PRESTO, you are frightening! PERFECT!


:smile: Ha Ha!!! Awesome!

[alemana]

*rummages around looking for photographic evidence of said frightening perfection*

[mamboqueen]

no no, i don't mean nonballroom rules. i mean, on a technical level, i don't think i can get a close enough red to make it look good with a red dress. i have seen shots of a red-costumed woman with dyed red hair that look GREAT - usually the hair is pretty close in color. if it's not close, it looks bad.

but red hair with a green dress - love that. you'll look smashing.


A near miss and your going to be fodder for df discussion. I'm with you on the red/red thing...which is why I steer clear of red dresses.


Love the red/green look, though.

[Merrylegs]

A near miss and your going to be fodder for df discussion. I'm with you on the red/red thing...which is why I steer clear of red dresses.


Love the red/green look, though.

As long as I don't completely cook my hair I'll be o.k. My bosses will have a fit. But I'll turn it back to brown again after the comp so they'll only flip out for a couple of weeks.

[mamboqueen]

Your bosses will love it. Secretly, they desire you as a red. Don't try to tell me otherwise.

heh heh....I'm sure you'll look smashing with red. And I adore that green dress. If I ever get back to smooth, I may have to steal it from you :)

[musicchica86]

I'd love to see a picture of the gown. I haven't yet seen an emerald green dress that I've really liked--they haven't been quite the right color.

[Merrylegs]

I'd love to see a picture of the gown. I haven't yet seen an emerald green dress that I've really liked--they haven't been quite the right color.

I can't seem to figure out how some people can imbed a picture into their post so here is the (broken) url.

The dress was owned by JT Damalas and is a LeNique creation. It's made of silk and feels like heaven when I try it on. The float has a graduated color scheme from pale green to a darker shade that isn't so noticable in the picture but is beautiful in person.

lenique.com/creations_gallery_LB.html#

[alemana]

oh you got that dress! lucky girl!

[musicchica86]

Ooh! *drools* Be glad that wouldn't look good on me...or it might go missing one night LOL!

[Merrylegs]

oh you got that dress! lucky girl!

Yah, I'm very psyched about it. I just hope that I do it justice, JT is a tough act to follow and I am not worthy!

[SDsalsaguy]

The dress was owned by JT Damalas and is a LeNique creation. It's made of silk and feels like heaven when I try it on. The float has a graduated color scheme from pale green to a darker shade that isn't so noticable in the picture but is beautiful in person. That's a gorgeous dress! One of my all time favorites! As I'd posted earlier in this thread, I have a picture of JT in the dress posted here: http://dancevision.com/gallery/14/426/

(And a bunch more in the Yankee 2005 Album on my photo sales site)

[Merrylegs]

That's a gorgeous dress! One of my all time favorites! As I'd posted earlier in this thread, I have a picture of JT in the dress posted here: http://dancevision.com/gallery/14/426/

(And a bunch more in the Yankee 2005 Album on my photo sales site)

OMG, I'll be right back!

[caityrosey]

http://www.aidadancewear.com/images/site/ballgown.jpg (http://www.aidadancewear.com/ballgown.asp)

Ok, I usually right click with my mouse on the pic that I want to post, click "copy" from the menu that pops up, then come over to the forum and right click again to get the menu back, and "paste" on my message

[caityrosey]

http://dancevision.com/images/galleries/14/57.jpg

Here is the dress from dancevision

[Katarzyna]

Nice color, similar to the color of my next one :)

[SDsalsaguy]

OMG, I'll be right back!http://dancevision.com/images/galleries/14/57.jpg

Here is the dress from dancevision To find a *whole bunch* more, go to my photo site ( http://www.printroom.com/pro/JSMphoto ), look in the Yankee 2005 album at Saturday night. Start on the last page -- page #8 -- and work your way back for a page or two. :wink:

EDIT: P.S. you can click on the images to enlarge them a llittle bit more too. :)

[Merrylegs]

That's just great! How am I going to grow my arms like hers in 17 days? I have tiny little stumps compared to her gorgeous long swan arms. Plus she flipping gorgeous! Gahd, I wish I hadn't looked, I feel totally inadequate now.

Gotta start sessions on the stretching machine. See ya.

[Merrylegs]

Oh yeah, Jonathan, your pictures are gorgeous! I loved all the ones where I could recognize some DFers.

M

[alemana]

JT is jaw-dropping.

[Merrylegs]

JT is jaw-dropping.

Seriously. I'm having an inferiority complex - big time!

Does anyone else ever feel this way when they buy a dress off of someone? Is it just me?

[SDsalsaguy]

OK, that was just freaky... haven't managed to catch up with JT in way too long (a couple of months, at least), and guess who called while I was reading this thread? :shock: :shock:

[Merrylegs]

OK, that was just freaky... haven't managed to catch up with JT in way too long (a couple of months, at least), and guess who called while I was reading this thread? :shock: :shock:

Did you tell her the new owner of her dress is a head case?

All kidding aside, that is freaky-deaky, man.

[SDsalsaguy]

Did you tell her the new owner of her dress is a head case?
LOL... no, I didn't. :lol:

All kidding aside, that is freaky-deaky, man.
Tell me about it! I did mention that coincidence to her though... trippy!

[gracie]

I can't seem to figure out how some people can imbed a picture into their post so here is the (broken) url.

The dress was owned by JT Damalas and is a LeNique creation. It's made of silk and feels like heaven when I try it on. The float has a graduated color scheme from pale green to a darker shade that isn't so noticable in the picture but is beautiful in person.

lenique.com/creations_gallery_LB.html# Does anyone know if JT has found a new partner?

[gracie]

OK, that was just freaky... haven't managed to catch up with JT in way too long (a couple of months, at least), and guess who called while I was reading this thread? :shock: :shock: Read further down, SD.

[alemana]

not pros, but i just LOVE this dress to bits. must copy.

http://www.ofenbakh.com/MAC2004/21.12.10.17.DSCF0809.html

http://www.ofenbakh.com/MAC2004/21.14.36.17.DSCF0828.html

[mamboqueen]

Christmas garland was the first thing to come to mind.

[mamboqueen]

too cute:

http://www.ofenbakh.com/MAC2004/16.50.58.18.DSCF2411.html

[alemana]

yeah not for me, i LOVED it, but i can see your point.

[SDsalsaguy]

OMG! Age appropriate costuming??? :shock: :shock: :shock:

Who knew??? :lol:

[PasoDancer]

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g4/pasodancer/P1030483.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g4/pasodancer/P1030488.jpg

Definitely not a newcomer dress, but maybe a spotlight dress.

What WOULD be a good newcomer dress? Could someone post a pic?

[alemana]

but but this is the pro dresses we love item.

[PasoDancer]

Aww, I sawy. Ok- now we need a thread for "good newcomer stuff to wear" (has that been done?)- off I go... :D

[Laura]

Definitely not a newcomer dress, but maybe a spotlight dress.
It depends. If you're dancing in Pro/Am, anything goes it seems. I used to dance Bronze against women in $2800 Chrisanne dresses.

It wouldn't work for any amateur costume-restricted syllabus event in the US. Although in USA Dance, people in Senior Syllabus events can wear costumes, so it would work for that.

I don't think it's actually fancy enough to be a pro dress. I could see a Novice level Amateur wear it, or a Bronze or Silver Pro/Am student wear it.

[Laura]

OK, that was just freaky... haven't managed to catch up with JT in way too long (a couple of months, at least), and guess who called while I was reading this thread? :shock: :shock:
Wow, this is DF-er cooincidence day today.

I was reading the board and wondering where Tasche is -- some of you may remember her from last year. Out of the blue, she emailed me, not 10 minutes after I was thinking about her! She had gone off to design school, majored in knitwear, and took up ice skating on the same day I did. She happened to stumble across my skating blog, and so emailed me.

[PasoDancer]

I hate she stopped shoeing:(

[Twilight_Elena]

not pros, but i just LOVE this dress to bits. must copy.

http://www.ofenbakh.com/MAC2004/21.12.10.17.DSCF0809.html

http://www.ofenbakh.com/MAC2004/21.14.36.17.DSCF0828.html

It's. Incredible. I want iiiiiit. And on a different note, however did she manage to make her hair look so sleeky? *envy*

T_E

[Twilight_Elena]

too cute:

http://www.ofenbakh.com/MAC2004/16.50.58.18.DSCF2411.html
Awww! Cute! And the gal looks like she knows what she's doing...

T_E

[Twilight_Elena]

I do envy the top pros for that -- they can be daring with their costuming knowing that they don't need to wear it more than a few times. So I appreciate that some dancers do try to push the edge of fashion -- even if it sometimes doesn't work.

*sings* If I were a rich girl...

T_E

[Joe]

Ya ha deedle deedle, bubba bubba deedle deedle dum.

[Twilight_Elena]

Ya ha deedle deedle, bubba bubba deedle deedle dum.

You should join the chorus. :lol:

T_E

[fascination]

is it jaclyn brockman(sp) out of somewhere in colorado...dunno if she has a partner but saw her with a student in wisconsin two years in a row...and LOOOVE her choices...which I took pains to find out were mostly chrisanne when I asked

[mamboqueen]

Your mission should you choose to accept it: help me find some taller latin dancers; I need some dress ideas for someone tall/thin. I see a lot of dresses I like the styles of on petite women, but they're not styles I can generally pull off.

[pygmalion]

Ya ha deedle deedle, bubba bubba deedle deedle dum.

I heard a really interesting interview on NPR about that play. Apparently, Zero Mostel (sp?) changed the originally proposed text and lyrics for that song, to make them sound more authentic. Pretty cool.

@T_E. I absolutely love that golden Latin costume, as well. I wish I had the bod for it. I'm too roundy. It'd just make me look like a ho. :lol:

@MQ. What kinds of costumes do you pull off well? I can relate to what you're saying. You have to work with your body type or you end up looking ... wrong. :shock:

[fascination]

Your mission should you choose to accept it: help me find some taller latin dancers; I need some dress ideas for someone tall/thin. I see a lot of dresses I like the styles of on petite women, but they're not styles I can generally pull off.well she's not a pro but given your body type MQ...I'd spend alot of time looking at Ruthie Perkins

[mamboqueen]

Hmm...good point. I'm just more used to seeing her in gowns than dresses. Lemme see if I can find any pictures of her.

[fascination]

oh shes in tons of latin stuff...you will see at OSB

[fluffy]

Your mission should you choose to accept it: help me find some taller latin dancers; I need some dress ideas for someone tall/thin. I see a lot of dresses I like the styles of on petite women, but they're not styles I can generally pull off.
Try Camilla Dallerup: V tall and v thin. I usually like her stuff.

[mamboqueen]

thanks fluffy; I'll look her up.

[fascination]

okay then ...how bout a little help for us svelte girls? like 37 27 38 and 5ft 7
and buff?

cuz there arent many of them gliding around the floor either....what on earth should we wear?

[alemana]

mq: i always think of kat venturini as tall and thin.. not sure, maybe those mile-high legs of hers just provide the illusion of height. anyway, i was just searching for photos of them on dancesportinfo.net, you might get some inspiration there from her costuming...

also, if i were your size and shape, i would LIVE in fringe to create volume.

[mamboqueen]

mq: i always think of kat venturini as tall and thin.. not sure, maybe those mile-high legs of hers just provide the illusion of height. anyway, i was just searching for photos of them on dancesportinfo.net, you might get some inspiration there from her costuming...

also, if i were your size and shape, i would LIVE in fringe to create volume.
Yah, I just can't have the fringe in the butt/hip area --> plenty of "natural" volume ;)

I'll look. I briefly looked at fluffy's suggested lady (I can't type "fluffy" without thinking of my first dog -- sigh.....) and liked what I saw. Some things I had not considered. But, I have the gap-in-the legs issue to deal with. Unless I just tie my thighs together *LOL*

[redhead]

I was looking at joanna leuinz pics on dancesportinfo - does it look to you like she has 5 dresses that are cut the same, just different colors? weird...

[alemana]

yeah.. i'm sure she's sponsored, no? don't like her costuming at all, in general - not a fan of the a-line skirt, of the drapey-drapey, etc.

[mamboqueen]

I was looking at joanna leuinz pics on dancesportinfo - does it look to you like she has 5 dresses that are cut the same, just different colors? weird...

Noticed and didn't like it either. Shake it up a little for Pete's sake! She's got the body to wear *anything*!

[mamboqueen]

yeah.. i'm sure she's sponsored, no? don't like her costuming at all, in general - not a fan of the a-line skirt, of the drapey-drapey, etc.


Ditto on this, too. Why hide it? Having seen her in person, she appeared to me to have a boyish figure. I don't mean that in a bad way, just not curvy.

[redhead]

well... I looked at her pictures to get ideas because her body type is different from that most Latin ladies have

[alemana]

exactly right. that's why i think there must be a sponsorship going on.whenever some big-name person shows up consistenly in icky dresses, i usually find out they are sponsored and requested to wear the offending confections.

[DancingJools]

Oh, I don't know about that. A certain style in different colors, at least for a year or two, becomes the "signature" look of a particular dancer. I don't know if Joanna Leunis is sponsored and by whom, but I know this look (one style, different colors) doesn't mean sponsorship. Yulia Z has one style in at least three colors that I know of, and it's her own design. No sponsorship there.
As for Joanna's dress, I kinda like it. It's her style. Her signature. It's classy and simple, and dances well. Nothing overdone or too glittery. Dancers develop their own style that way. Carmen is usually lady-like, wearing what could almost pass for regular dresses (so when she dresses in something skimpy as an exception, it really stands out). Anna Bezhikova used to take a concept from ordinary fashion and play it up (remember her corset-style dress? She also pioneered the black hose, AFIK, and has one dress which to me is genius. A fitted strapless look, and a huge flat bow across the chest in a different color. It's a prim cocktail dress from the early sixties. Sounds weird, but looked terrific, and no one else could wear it. And she tended to show a lot less skin than most others.) Charlotte Eggstrand went for the skimpy, over-glitzy, overkill dresses, and usually with a fringey thingy around the hips. It became her look.
Anyway, I actually like Joanna's dress. It's classy and understated, but still moves.

[fluffy]

I used to hate Joanna Leunis's dresses. At one point they all seemed to be flesh coloured body suits with bits hanging off. Now she tends to have full skirts in pretty colours which look far more feminine. I love her look now :)

[redhead]

Carmen is usually lady-like, wearing what could almost pass for regular dresses (so when she dresses in something skimpy as an exception, it really stands out).
Huh, I dislike Carmen's look (in general) so much that I don't even notice what she wears. She just doesn't strike me as lady-like...

[DancingJools]

Huh, I dislike Carmen's look (in general) so much that I don't even notice what she wears. She just doesn't strike me as lady-like...
I'm with you there, sister :-) But only in disliking her dresses, in general. It is true that her outfits usually look more like dresses and less like costumes, and they do look lady-like (I think). But I didn't say I liked them. I like color, myself, and Carmen goes for a lot of neutral tones. Anyway, it does give her a distinctive look, and it does draw the attention more to the dancing, and less to the costuming. And I do give her credit for influencing costumes generally towards the "dressy" look, which we've seen over the last few years.

[dressgirl]

I think, and I am guessing a bit, that Carmen is trying to live up to her role as the world champion. A little bit demure, in the "doesn't have to show skin to be sexy" category. Personally I think all of her dresses would better fit a ladies B pro-am. Nothing against that age category - its mine by the way, but I think of classy sexy, not world class sexy when I design for the rack for that age category. I just think they could do better for her, but surely it won't be an issue for much longer.

[alemana]

( a big contrast with the Beata tendency to wear as little as possible. )

[alemana]

amazing amazing gold costume on Olga Rodionova:

http://www.danceplaza.com/index.tpl?style=foto&action=personal&couple_id=6227


And the Blackpool pro latin (preview) gallery, featuring the latest in Carmenwear <tm> as delineated above:

http://www.danceplaza.com/index.tpl?style=foto&action=overview&gallery=Rob_Ronda/Blackpool_2006/Wednesday_31st_May&dirid=1028

[alemana]

i never thought i'd say it, but here's a dress of joanna leunis' which i do not hate. in fact, i sort of love the top half, with the black-on-black peekabo effect and the bra. see the dress in the THIRD ROW from the top:

http://www.dancesportinfo.net/DisplayGallery.aspx?CoupleId=4013

[Twilight_Elena]

On the subject... I haven't seen one dress of Karina's I didn't like. Her red Rumba dress from the Superstars Festival was incredible.

T_E

[alemana]

bumping this thread back up... anybody see any latin costuming they like lately?


i'm getting ready to have my first dress made (!) and need to collect a sheaf of "things i like." for my body, it's going to have to be one piece only, no longer than the knees, straight-ish skirt shape but skirt must emphasize movement (that can be done with fringe rather than cut of skirt shape.)


whaddaya liking lately?

[alemana]

oh, also.. the drapey-drapey look i always think of as "greek goddess" won't float my coach's boat, i don't think.

[Marli]

Just wondering -- if I decided to copy a dress that I've seen someone wear, and I run into that person at a future competition, will she want to stab me? Suppose she no longer wears this dress.

[Twilight_Elena]

Just wondering -- if I decided to copy a dress that I've seen someone wear, and I run into that person at a future competition, will she want to stab me? Suppose she no longer wears this dress.

You can never copy a dress 100%. Something will be different. And we've seen competitors wearing similar dresses tons of times, so I don't think it would be a problem.

T_E

[alemana]

Marli - a better answer is, it depends. (And you sure can copy a dress 100%, I've seen it done many times. You can also copy a very distinctive dress closely enough that it's obvious what you're doing, even though the thing isn't exactly the same.)

If the competitor is someone in your own division, and you show up in a copy of her dress, that's one thing, and not very nice. Or smart, for that matter.

On the other hand, if the person is a pro and you are not, and you copy her dress, you'd have to really work hard to get that woman mad at you. I'm sure she probably couldn't care less. In fact, she may even feel flattered. But more likely, she won't notice.

[Anna]

Whose dress do you want to copy? Especially if she no longer wears it I can't see it being a problem (one solution would be to buy it from her!)

[Twilight_Elena]

(And you sure can copy a dress 100%, I've seen it done many times. You can also copy a very distinctive dress closely enough that it's obvious what you're doing, even though the thing isn't exactly the same.)

Goes to show. I know NOTHING about tailoring and costumes. Just don't listen to me, people. :rolleyes:

T_E

[Purr]

oh, also.. the drapey-drapey look i always think of as "greek goddess" won't float my coach's boat, i don't think.

Who's wearing, and more importantly buying, the dress - you or him?

[alemana]

if this board were to hold a contest called Elect the Pro-Am Dancer who Bends to Her Coach's Will As Little As Possible, I would probably win or tie to win. so while i appreciate the idea that it's me wearing the dress, not him, and i have to feel comfortable, etc, i do also believe there are some "obsessions" he has that have a basis in reality. some of them have to do with costuming- he has a much better sense of costuming do's and don'ts than i do.

also, i still have a confused, formerly-overweight body image that clouds my ability to judge what looks good on me.

next: we are small in stature, so he insists on as much movement in a dress skirt as possible, to make up for the lack of body taking up space. which is why greek goddess is right out.


and finally, the last nails in the coffin we can call The Illusion That I Can Costume Myself Successfully represent the attempts i have made at renting dresses, which (no fault of the vendor's) were dismal failures.

[Twilight_Elena]

Alemana, if it makes you feel any better, I shudder at the thought of my choosing a Latin dress one day. SHUDDER. :shock:

T_E

[samina]

if this board were to hold a contest called Elect the Pro-Am Dancer who Bends to Her Coach's Will As Little As Possible, I would probably win or tie to win. so while i appreciate the idea that it's me wearing the dress, not him, and i have to feel comfortable, etc, i do also believe there are some "obsessions" he has that have a basis in reality. some of them have to do with costuming- he has a much better sense of costuming do's and don'ts than i do.

also, i still have a confused, formerly-overweight body image that clouds my ability to judge what looks good on me.

next: we are small in stature, so he insists on as much movement in a dress skirt as possible, to make up for the lack of body taking up space. which is why greek goddess is right out.


and finally, the last nails in the coffin we can call The Illusion That I Can Costume Myself Successfully represent the attempts i have made at renting dresses, which (no fault of the vendor's) were dismal failures.

really enjoyed this post. :)

i'm with you this one, too, TE... the idea of showing that much skin on the dance floor... well, honestly, when it gets down to it, that's gonna involve a bit of a breakthrough for me.

i happen to like drapey-drapey greek goddess, tho. maybe it's a cultural thing. haha... anyway, as long as it's closely tied around the torso. that's nice.

[Me]

Showing skin.... ugh. I was so nervous about wearing a two piece costume this weekend I ate nothing but organic apples and oatmeal and drank lots of water for three days. Then, when I still had a lot of bloat, I took laxatives.

I know. Stupid. But the bloat really was awful. Not good timing with mother nature - I had to do SOMETHING to purge the excess bloat, and the high fiber zero sodium diet was not working! Maybe it was stress or something, but I was carrying an extra four pounds in water. It had to go!

[alemana]

i LUV the look, even though i can't wear it. recently yulia has been wearing a peach drapey-drapey that i LUV - although it's fitted on top, which i guess makes it less drapey than others.

[samina]

i LUV the look, even though i can't wear it. recently yulia has been wearing a peach drapey-drapey that i LUV - although it's fitted on top, which i guess makes it less drapey than others.

i think she usually has a bit more of the tuckus showing than i could safely manage. ;)

but for the record, i like her brunette wig in vegas. she looks so different...

anyway, what is your favorite latin style to wear, alemana?

[alemana]

i am hijacking my own thread! gr. let me find a better place to talk about... me...

[samina]

lol
:)

[mamboqueen]

i am hijacking my own thread! gr. let me find a better place to talk about... me...

just pm yerself!

[alemana]

You Mock Me!

[mamboqueen]

LMAO! Somebody has to do it ;)