Let Me Introduce Myself!

Hello Etsy Raqs readers! My name is Amy, and when on stage it is Nadima, and I am the purveyor of Fabulous Pants. I began sewing in 1997 when I joined the Belegarth Medieval Combat Society. Through this association, I not only learned about costume design but also learned about the art of bellydance. I learned off of tape until I joined Pangaea Dance studio in 2005. While dancing at Pangaea, I found that there were few options for comfortable practice pants that were also fashionable enough to wear in restaurants and clubs after practices. I wanted a way to transition from different venues without having to take different clothes with me for each place. After working on costuming for the resident dance troupes, Reflections and Patchwork Silks, as well as my own costuming in Medieval and fantasy clothing design for Belegarth, I began working on my pants design. This exploration could not have come at a better time for me. Another member of the studio, Bastet, approached me about beginning a Gothic Fusion duet now known as Maelstrom. We loved to use Fabulous Pants as one of the bases of our unique costuming, and I wanted to make these pants and other items available for your bellydance needs through Etsy. I am concerned not only with the beauty of design but also with quality fabrics, notions, and workmanship.

So why are they called Fabulous Pants and how did this all begin? Fabulous Pants began as a mere side project for me. I wanted practice wear for bellydance that was lighter weight than sweatpants, versatile in movement, and most importantly fashionable for wearing out of the house, into the studio, and then out on the town for dinners after dance rehearsal. While on vacation, I learned about a type of pant from Indonesia and Bali. The versatility of the garment was just what I was looking for, however they were made for men and did not fit all the curves of the female body. After adapting several patterns, I had made a pant that was light enough for practice and also had enough movement for proper execution of bellydance movements. I then began looking for suitable fabrics to accompany the pants dual nature of practice wear and street attire. Everywhere I wore the pants they were called "fabulous" by people, and so I began calling them Fabulous Pants. After many requests by individuals for where the pants could be obtained, my friends and family convinced me to go into the pants business along with my other side projects of dance belts and tribal fusion costume design. I am dedicated to bringing you high quality products that fit both practice and performance needs made out of the finest materials available. All of the products are handmade with care in my home in Oakland, California. I hope you stop by my Etsy store and take a look around. I am working on some new pants, belts and hairfalls, so look for them to be listed soon!