h o m e

Add more splendor and excitement to your performance.
Ayshe's, Wings of Isis will make you feel like you are dancing in glimmering, swirling liquid. Your audiences will be amazed and delighted!

WINGS OF AYSHE are made in two pieces. Each piece forms one large semi-circle. If desired the back seam could be sewn together, so one large circle is made. However, having the two half-circles is easier to work with. Sticks are inserted at the end in pockets. The dancer holds the wings by these sticks and in this way creates the different wing forms and turns.

DESIGN
Most of my wings are made to attach onto a neckpiece that fits around the neck and is secured with a velcro strip with a 3 inch leeway. Held together by a smaller strip of velcro, wings can be worn without neckpiece as well. Click here to see various configurations.
I prefer to make wings to come from the neck. I feel they create a more lavish affect and are easier to take off and on. (Many are under the impression that the ones from the arms are smaller and therefore take up less room, but this is a deceptive notion because the length from the finger tips to the end of the stick is still the same. It is only the material from the neck to the upper arm that is removed, so while there is less material and less of an effect, they are not any easier to move and still take up the same amount of space. Also, if you use them as an entrance piece for a bellydance performance, it is far easier and much more graceful to remove them with one motion from your neck, as opposed to fiddling with two arm bands.)
Some clients wish to have shorter wings to use in tight restaurant spaces. For them, I can shorten the distance to the end of the sticks, but also keep the lenth behind. This creates a beautiful effect that looks like a swallowtail butterfly.
See examples of Swallowtail Butterfly Cut below.

STICKS
I use clear plastic sticks. I like the give they have which is good for quivering motions. Also, the sticks are sewn into reinforced pockets so they won't cut through the material. At the same time they can be removed from the pockets so your wings can also be used as a cape. Click here to see the picture of the wing stick and pocket.

COSTUME PLEATING Pleating the panels is customary, but not essential. Unpleated wings present a different visual image. The price for unpleated wings is slightly reduced.

CARING FOR YOUR WINGS Pleats on your wings are created by high-temperature industrial steam ovens. While this makes them more resistant to wrinkling, they should nevertheless be handled with care and hung when not being worn. Hanging in cramped spaces will cause wrinkling. If cleaning or pressing is necessary, take them to a professional dry-cleaner.

MATERIAL
Most of my clients choose either tissue lamŽ or irridescent organza-- the organza is more ethereal and the lame shines under the lights and is very liquid looking. There are hundreds of colors to choose from and several types of fabrics. If you are not in New York and can't stop by to look through my selection, or if you have a color in mind, I can always send you a few swatches. Also, I just recently produced a video and DVD where I perform different wing dances, where you can look and see how they move in space. You might find purchasing the video and DVD useful learning tools or I could send a short teaser with a few selections to help you choose. (There would be a nominal charge to cover VHS cost and mailing--$4. this can be used toward your wings purchase--remind me in case I forget)

LAYERS
I personally love to use layers of wings to add more dimension to the moves and maximize the effect. I love to mix colors and materials to accent each other and the costume I'm wearing. Also, with layers you can wrap them in different ways. I use velcrox attachments so each set of wings can be worn separately or together (2 sets used in 3 combinations). See examples of wing combinations from the WINGS OF AYSHE video.

COLOR
I try to encourage my clients to think in terms of uniqueness. While most order gold or silver, just think what wild impact large red wings would have when used with your red costume, or fuchsia, bronze, royal purple, rich turquoise etc. -- and then if these could be put in layers -- you can't imagine how spectacular.

PRICE
Each set of wings is $180 + shipping. If you order 2 sets I give a $30 discount ($330).
Swallowtail design set of wings is $165 + shipping. If you order 2 sets I give a $15 discount ($315).
note*: These prices are WHOLESALE prices. The discount is meant to encourage a dancer who wants to work with a double set. It is not intended for two dancers who want one set each at a discount. It is not financially sensible for me to lower prices to this extent, yet I want to encourage the full creative potential of wings. This is my purpose for the discount.
note*: This price is generally for individual dancers. For large agencies and dance companies I would charge a higher rate which is somewhat flexible, according to the client"s situation.

I set this price, because my costs for materials and pleater fees is $75. It takes me at least 6 hours to complete a set of wings, so with this in mind I feel $100 for my seamstress work, and overseeing pleaters and suppliers, is very reasonable (comes to about $15/hr).
Any beadwork or appliques added to neckpieces might incur additional charges depending on complexity of work.

WAITING PERIOD
I usually ask for a 50% deposit. The usual waiting time from receipt of deposit to delivery ranges from 4-6 weeks. If there are not many orders before yours and if everything runs smoothly with regards to supplies and production, I can often get them done sooner. Balance due on your order needs to be paid before I can send it out.

SURCHARGE
If you need your order in a rush, as I now know many of you often do, I have had to add a surcharge to cover the extra time running to suppliers, pleater, and post office, which has been burning me out. Fees are as follows: 1--If client wants their order within two weeks, and assuming it is even humanly possible, there will be a $50 surcharge for the first set and $25 / each additional set(s). This does not include any additional postage fees that may be necessary for express or priority delivery, etc.. 2--If client needs their order within 2-3 weeks from receipt of their deposit, there will be a $30 surcharge for the first set and $15 / each
additional set(s). Again, this does not include additional postage fees necessary for express or priority delivery, etc.. 3-- Any deadline over three weeks will not incur any surcharge.

SIZES
I usually get the clients measurement from the middle of the back of their neck (where neckpiece will lie) to the floor (so it doesn't drag). Some dancers like to dance in heels or others may have special requests. All this must be considered. (NOTE** I find it impossible to make a perfect length for some reason, so this measurement is only an approximation).

MOST IMPORTANT-- I NEED YOUR MEASUREMENTS
1-- your neck circumference (lenth of neckband)
2-- the measurement from the back of the middle of your neck to the floor
3-- your height