São Paulo – Tops, belts and dresses. These typical belly dance clothes have been exported from Brazil to France by Odalisca Costumes warehouse, in São Caetano do Sul, in Greater São Paulo. Established by the Argentine Julio Tafforelli, the workshop produces clothes in over twenty different styles for the most varied of tastes by belly dancers.
Tafforelli is not a stylist, but a chemical engineer. He became interested in belly dancing when he participated in a seminar about artistic pedagogy. Since then, he has decided to dedicate himself to the creation of clothes for dancers.
He designs the garments and counts on the collaboration of his embroiderers to sew the material. "I develop, put it on the internet, and whoever wants to buy may buy. The products are ready for spot delivery," he explained.
Despite having a small business, the engineer exports to boutiques that are specialized in belly dancing clothes in Paris. Shipments have already totalled 500 items. The workshop has also sold to Portugal, Japan, Argentina, the United States and Spain.
As he works alone, Tafforelli says it would be hard to expand his business to reach markets that are more specialized in his area, like the Arab nations, but he reveals that it is a pleasure to work on the creation of new clothes. "The plan is to create artistically, for personal satisfaction," he explained.
To remain attuned to the fashion tendencies in belly dancing, Tafforelli contacts several international dancers, through social networks, in which he identifies the models that should become successful in Brazil.
"Now, a new model is being produced: a skirt without a belt. They are more elastic skirts, with fabric that may be embroidered," he said. To buy the clothes, the client needs to send only bust, waist and hip measures.
Contact
Odaliscas Costumes
Tel.: (+55 11) 3422-9135
E-mail: odaliscascostumes@gmail.com
Site: www.odaliscascostumes.com
*Translated by Mark Ament
Press Release
Over 500 items have already been shipped to France
