BOUQUETS AND BRIDES...

Brace up, the end of the year approaches faster than a comet and the rave for uniqueness and class is on the all-time high. Amidst the madness of wedding dress shopping, bridal train, hair, make up, food, venue and all the other things that makes the crowd go yay or nay at a wedding, there in lies a spectacular bride of the bride. Most significant in Nigeria wedding preparations is the Aso ebi (making same material available to a particular set of persons for easy identification and unison) which some people are beginning to find over rated and stressful. Why not just wear the colour of the day in any material and style? But then, when executed, it could be the most spectacular sight. Did I fail to mention the cake? That is the silent mistress; trust me when I say we love to see how she is dressed as she too can make a huge impact of the wedding review. But then, we have to give the stage to the beautiful fragrant flower girl, the traditional queen that ordains her next bride-The Bouquet. Ever wonder why she is placed specially on the turn of events? CATCH THE BOUQUET!!!

The bouquet catching tradition started back in medieval Europe, when single wedding guests viewed the bride’s dress a symbol of good luck, so they would chase her and rip a piece off a piece of her dress. When wedding dresses became something that brides spent more money on, they would throw other objects as a distraction. The bouquet, later on, became the traditionally thrown object, since flowers symbolize fertility. Another version is in France in the 1300's the bride tossed her bouquet before she left on her honeymoon. The tradition began with the bride tossing a garter or stocking. The bouquet symbolized a bride's good fortune being passed to the maiden who caught it. (Imagine ripping apart a dress in these days? I can bet you the bride would forget it's her wedding day and go all Jackie Chan on her fellow sisters…lol) Anyway, the bouquet can be an object of artistic presentation as it can be a form of expression either within the theme of the wedding or the vibe of the bride. My opinion? Be audacious with your craft. 

 
Hand Tied Bouquet

Back when I was much younger, bouquets were so well rounded I though it a criminal offence to have a flower set out of place. Most of all that I saw, (and I must say they were quite a few, weddings were not among my favourite hang out spots-Weird?), were made with organza or satin-to think about it now, Lord have mercy. Thank God for the evolution of wedding ceremonies and interpretations, the little Queen has taken up a new look, more vibrate and colourful in the right shades; She flows, runs free, even dangles when she knights the next bride to be...lol

To the beautiful sisters who would make it to the aisle in the traditional, unconventional, audacious way,whatever way, spice up you day with more colours; your bouquet (round, pageant, Nosegay, Posy cascade, pomander) experience can be more exciting when you dare her petals…

 
Round Bouquet

 
Posy Bouquet

 
Nosegay Bouquet

 
Cascade Bouquet

 
Composite Bouquet

 
Pomander Bouquet

 
Pageant Bouquet
SOURCES:http://bridesmaidforhire.com/

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                   https://www.pinterest.com

REVOLUTIONARY THREADS...

Once upon a time, my father came back from the village bearing gifts of African prints I termed Pattern Abominations. Not only did they look like what old people wore, they had the dullest colours the colour wheel could produce- talk about a deliberate threat to my youthfulness…lol. I eventually tailored the dress in the most age appropriate style I could fine. In my opinion, it still did nothing to uplift the ancient-ness of the fabric. So, that was a good 9 years ago, what has change between then and now? Is it me or are these once thought dull fabrics now becoming the most sort after pieces for making revolutionary fashion statements both in Africa and beyond her boards?

In Nigeria, we have the weirdest names for some African prints; most famous, ‘Back of Fish’, Jumping Horse’, ‘Scattered keys’, ‘Moon and Star’, ‘Oga Madam’, ‘Star’, ‘ABC’, ‘One thousand Blocks’, ‘Television’, ‘Palm kernel’, to name a few. My mother and 99.9% of the women I knew as a child and till date have this emblems of motherhood (or so I thought they were) I had a love-hate affair with the back of fish and Jumping Horse material, but now, my mind is literary bursting with what I could do with this once thought old print-the endless possibilities.

 (from let) Jumping Horse, One thousand Blocks, Star

These materials and more not necessarily named have so much potential in the hands of the right fairy godmother or father. Creativity now goes beyond what the material is suited for to how the patterns can be manipulate to suite the style (even if it means cut out).

 

The Ankara print has gained so much revolutionary fame, a far cry from the stereotypical  Iro and Buba (Traditional wrapper and Blouse) and safe skirt and blouse. Ankara prints are so divers they are incorporated in virtually every and any style of fashion from couture to sports wears, swim wear, casuals, corporate for both genders.

Though the concept of an Ankara wedding dress is still an unsettled trend, some brides have dared to take the controversial concept to the aisle. Its emergence as Africa’s next corporate sweetheart is no new take as the renaissance of the fabric has fitted unapologetically with the office appropriate silhouettes. 

Couple and her Bridesmaids in Ankara inspired outfits

Penciled skirts, jackets, gowns, pants and trousers in the African print makes the fabric earn more prestige than once allotted to it. I remember when my dad, again gave me 6 yards of the spectacular fabric and put it plain that I would need tailor something that was more traditional rather than the sheer Mutilation we put out in the name of fashion. His use of the mutilation in a fabric related speech was both hilarious and interesting. But then I would rather say it is a Beautiful mutilation (if such exist….lol)

 

The perfectly tailored Jacket...#eyecandy 

 

...and it gets even more interesting...

 

It is no surprise that designers both local and international are exploring the strength and diversity of the African prints. Christe Brow, Stella Jean, Rose Palhares among a whole sea of designers play creatively with the Ankara fabric to fit into the fast revolving fashion industry. Whether it’s in matching prints or mix and match, cuts outs or patterns and plain mix, the Ankara prints is indubitably exceptional

 

 Corporate ideas anyone?

#swimwear

 Care for something more audacious? Dear Ankara would you like to play...lol

SOURCES: https://www.pinterest.com