An Italian designer by the username of Blatterbury on DeviantArt has reimagined Disney Princesses in a whole new light: as belly dancers.
Sara Manca (Blatterbury's real name) has been studying belly dancing for 4 years, and she calls it her passion.
For every princess she gives different instruments, outfits, and a specific style of belly dancing -each according to her character and personality.
1. Ariel creates waves with double veils
For Ariel, Manca gives the Raqs Sharqi style, with double veils.
She goes on to describe the veils as an extension of the Little Mermaid's body, creating a beautiful ripple effect around her waist.
2. Belle lights up the room with her candelabra
For Belle, Manca gives her a little accompaniment in the form of Lumiere, her candelabra friend.
She goes on to explain that dancing with the shamadan on your head is very advanced, and is usually used in the zeffeh, or wedding procession.
3. Esmerelda, the experienced dancer
Esmerelda, the gypsy from the Hunchback of Notre Dame, is not one of the official princesses, but she danced her way into our hearts and Manca knows it.
The artist stays true to Esmerelda's roots and gives her a gypsy style dance, which she calls the "classic".
4. Elsa has finally let it go
Excuse the pun, I couldn't help myself.
Manca gives Elsa wings, modeled after the Egyptian Goddess, Isis. She clearly states it has nothing to do with the other ISIS we hear about. Nothing at all.
5. Can Pocahontas dance with all the colors of the wind?
Drawing inspiration from her story, Manca gives Pocahantas a tribal look, one that befits her character.
6. Aurora is as elegant as a spinning wheel
Aurora, aka Sleeping Beauty, deserves all the elegance and grace in the world, which is why she is drawn with fan veils.
Manca calls these instruments her favorites, because of their silky feel and how they create a "perfect image" when wrapped around Aurora's body.
7. The original Arab beauty
Baladi style goes perfectly with Jasmine, Manca says, as it is the dance of beauty, strength, and art.
On a side-note, it's nice to see Jasmine's midriff covered, regardless of the slit in her dress.
8. Rapunzel's about to whip her hair back and forth
The Khaleeji hair dance (i.e., whipping your hair from side to side) suits Rapunzel perfectly, and this is why Manca imagines her with her hair down.
She also paints Rapunzel in a traditional dress, which is called Thobe Al-Nashal.
9. The brave princess gets a makeover, but still has her weapon
When one thinks of Merida, images of a strong princess come to mind and this is why Manca gives her the sword dance.
The dance, she explains, was used by the Ghawazee dancers of Egypt (group of female traveling dancers of the Dom people) who would entertain the Napoleonic troops by dancing with their swords and eventually stealing them.