Mata Hari

Mata Hari

A lot of us Bellydancers are Inspired by the myth, the legend and the story of Mata Hari the infamous spy and exotic dancer that took her inspiration from Indonesian dancing girls. Here are a few of my own creations inspired by her look. 

This Bra was my first creation for the Vintage style, made out of many second hand pearl necklaces brought at jumble sales and carboot sales. All of the necklaces were cut up and the beads sewn on individually. When Katie Holland Saw this bra for the first time she said that is had always been her dream bra so a few years later...

A few hundred more necklaces later....

Just before this one for Katie I had done a more Pinky and Silver Pearl One for my "This Must Be Underwater Love" dance. Jimi Hendrix May this be Love with fan Veils which then lead into Underwater Love By Smoke City. The Swirl doesn't go all the way around the cups, I added a boarder to the top with lines of pearls (click to enlarge the photo to see).

Mata Hari Tribute Dance

Mata Danced a version of the dance of the 7 veils - a babylonian Myth of the Goddess Ishtar going down to the Underworld to reclaim her lover at every seventh set of gates she was required to remove a veil. This is the dance I put together to pay tribute to Mata (Don't worry there is no nudity). 

I made the velour hip belt and the crown for this dance. The skirt was a second hand Indian skirt (very similar to what Mata wore a lot) The bodice was also second hand. 

Above Photo Shoot for www.beckphotographic.com see more pics on my facebook