Welcome to my world of darkly romantic clothing & imagery
photo "Mourning Brandy" ©copyright 2002-2006 John & Catresea Ann Canivan
The first modern celebrity who put it all together for me was Stevie Nicks with her magical Rhiannon
costume of flowing black chiffon in the mid-70s. Since then, Stevie's style has been one of my main inspirations.
I still can't figure how she manages to dance around in those high platforms though, LOL! Personally, I prefer
lace-up Victorian style granny boots. I bought my first pair in Greenwich Village in 1967 and have
been collecting them ever since. I also have a penchant for jagged hemmed skirts,
flowy high waisted dresses and anything with fringe (more photos coming soon)
I'm constantly haunting thrift shops and swap meets in search of nicely priced romantic goth clothing and when I find something
cool that doesn't fit or suit me, I often buy it anyway and it ends up for sale on ebay. Check out my
auctions... my ebay ID is "swingkitti."
Tribal fusion bellydancer Rachel Brice is not only a brilliantly mesmerizing dancer but her
exotic costumes merge gothic and tribal influences in a form that is both edgy and darkly romantic.
Beaded & feathered dreadlocks, artful tattoos, flowing skirts and scarves, dramatic jewelry... just
gorgeous! Of course it can help to have a great body to pull off this look, but gothic bellydance
(or Raks Gothique as it is sometime called) style can be adapted to women of all sizes, shapes and ages.
Rachel also has created a DVD called
Tribal Fusion - Yoga Isolations & Drills for Bellydance that includes and incredible performance, Rachel
dancing in costume a candlelit room that's a cross between the Arabian Nights and Phantom of the Opera.
The instructional section of the DVD is for intermediate to advanced dancers; if you're a novice dancer, consider
taking a course from a local instructor or check out the videos on my
Learn To Bellydance page.
Gothic Bellydance DVD featuring goth inspired bellydancers including Tempest, and Ariellah of California;
Asharah, Ya Meena and Raven of Washington, DC; Jeniviva, Ayshe, Jehan, Tanna,
Blanca and Neon of New York City, as well as
Stark...sublime...intense. The phenomenon of Gothic Bellydance is a
multitude of poetic visions born out of the Goth, or Gothic, subculture, music,
imagery and fashion, and expressed in the language of Bellydance.
GBD incorporates many Bellydance styles and motifs: Cabaret, Tribal Fusion, modern dance,
echoes of Gypsy dance, Flamenco, Asian, and Indian dance--all called to express the
darkness of the unknown, and the mysteries of life, death, and
eternity that have inspired Goth philosophies and lifestyles.
This first of its kind, groundbreaking collaborative project brings you the work of innovative
and uncompromising "dark fusion" artists including a number of the recognized pioneers
of Gothic Bellydance. The DVD features music by outstanding composers and
performers including Solace, Jehan, Collide, Knossos and Gypsy Caravan.
September 18 update: Available now! I just got mine and it's fabulous!
My own collection of handcrafted earrings & necklaces
