Hilary’s Bazaar Review
Recently I went on a pilgrimage to the Mecca that is Hilary’s Bazaar in Edinburgh. Having heard so much about it, I wanted to separate Urban Myth from reality for myself.
As I approached the deceptively small blue frontage of the shop and stepped inside my first thoughts were that Hilary’s shop must’ve been modeled on Dr Who’s Tardis. Why do I say that? When I walked through the door I was met by a cornucopia of delights. Tribal stuff here Cabaret stuff there, and at the end of the shop a smiling Hilary ready to meet me with a firm handshake.
Even though the shop is overflowing with pretties and essentials it is open, bright and on the day I went had a lovely burst of sunlight streaming through the window at the rear of the shop. This window is next to the Mr. Ben like changing rooms which there are two of, making a girly shopping spree with a friend an even more inviting prospect. A friend of mine spent over 2 hours in Hilary’s and I can see why.
As well as costume pieces, which I will come to later, Hilary has a plethora of CDs and DVDs which she will happily play for you. There are pretty bags for your essential hafla pieces or your Zills and hair adornments which come ready made or Hilary can have them custom made for you. There is jewelry for the Oriental girls all sparkly and magpie like, things for your feet and your hands as well as the ever present earrings and necklaces. The Tribal ladies amongst us are not overlooked. You can either purchase the elements yourself or there are earrings, necklaces and the most amazing rings ready and waiting.
There are also props such as fans and sticks/canes as you would expect. Veils in stripes, plain colours, tie dye silks and Hilary has a great deal, as this goes to press, if you buy 2 at the same time (see Hilary’s site for details). There are hip belts and scarves of every description. I had to resist hard not to buy one of those!
Then the costumes themselves. Where do I start? Hilary has gorgeous silk skirts and tie tops, the tie dye costumes are especially delish, practice tops for class and skirts in a variety of combinations of material and colours. You can also get lovely beaded professional costumes which I averted my eyes from afraid that Id have to re -mortgage my home. Those of you on ‘the dark side’ are not neglected here either. Gorgeous velvet Tribal bras and hip belts, which again can be custom made to suit your requirements, dripping in kutchi etc that look like they have come from some long buried jewelery box.
So I hear you ask what did I go home with? Two veils, one a gorgeous turquoise silk the other lovely semi-sheer black with broad metallic silver stripes, a pair of long wispy peacock feather earrings, an item I have longed for, and a tribal/tribal fusion headpiece which is one of Hilary’s custom specials.
My final thoughts on Hilary’s. Go with a full stomach and purse, you never know when you will come back out again!
Hilary Thacker ->
Hilary's Bazaar can be found at 27 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh .
Open Monday - Saturday 10 - 6 pm.
Telephone: 0131 2257103
Or on the internet at http://www.hilarysbazaar.com/
Review and Photos by Nikki, our roving representative for Scotland.
Contact Nikki at zikiya@orientaldancer.co.uk if you'd like your Scottish event or service reviewed on this site.
Recently I went on a pilgrimage to the Mecca that is Hilary’s Bazaar in Edinburgh. Having heard so much about it, I wanted to separate Urban Myth from reality for myself.
As I approached the deceptively small blue frontage of the shop and stepped inside my first thoughts were that Hilary’s shop must’ve been modeled on Dr Who’s Tardis. Why do I say that? When I walked through the door I was met by a cornucopia of delights. Tribal stuff here Cabaret stuff there, and at the end of the shop a smiling Hilary ready to meet me with a firm handshake.
Even though the shop is overflowing with pretties and essentials it is open, bright and on the day I went had a lovely burst of sunlight streaming through the window at the rear of the shop. This window is next to the Mr. Ben like changing rooms which there are two of, making a girly shopping spree with a friend an even more inviting prospect. A friend of mine spent over 2 hours in Hilary’s and I can see why.
As well as costume pieces, which I will come to later, Hilary has a plethora of CDs and DVDs which she will happily play for you. There are pretty bags for your essential hafla pieces or your Zills and hair adornments which come ready made or Hilary can have them custom made for you. There is jewelry for the Oriental girls all sparkly and magpie like, things for your feet and your hands as well as the ever present earrings and necklaces. The Tribal ladies amongst us are not overlooked. You can either purchase the elements yourself or there are earrings, necklaces and the most amazing rings ready and waiting.
There are also props such as fans and sticks/canes as you would expect. Veils in stripes, plain colours, tie dye silks and Hilary has a great deal, as this goes to press, if you buy 2 at the same time (see Hilary’s site for details). There are hip belts and scarves of every description. I had to resist hard not to buy one of those!
Then the costumes themselves. Where do I start? Hilary has gorgeous silk skirts and tie tops, the tie dye costumes are especially delish, practice tops for class and skirts in a variety of combinations of material and colours. You can also get lovely beaded professional costumes which I averted my eyes from afraid that Id have to re -mortgage my home. Those of you on ‘the dark side’ are not neglected here either. Gorgeous velvet Tribal bras and hip belts, which again can be custom made to suit your requirements, dripping in kutchi etc that look like they have come from some long buried jewelery box.
So I hear you ask what did I go home with? Two veils, one a gorgeous turquoise silk the other lovely semi-sheer black with broad metallic silver stripes, a pair of long wispy peacock feather earrings, an item I have longed for, and a tribal/tribal fusion headpiece which is one of Hilary’s custom specials.
My final thoughts on Hilary’s. Go with a full stomach and purse, you never know when you will come back out again!
Hilary Thacker ->
Hilary's Bazaar can be found at 27 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh .
Open Monday - Saturday 10 - 6 pm.
Telephone: 0131 2257103
Or on the internet at http://www.hilarysbazaar.com/
Review and Photos by Nikki, our roving representative for Scotland.
Contact Nikki at zikiya@orientaldancer.co.uk if you'd like your Scottish event or service reviewed on this site.
