Happy weekend, WORrior! We all know that the Off Shoulder or cold shoulder style is back again and shaking the fashion world, most especially in Nigeria. So on today’s edition of #OwambeSaturday, we bring to you amazing Off shoulder aso ebi styles that you can rock to your next Owambe!
Photo credits: fashionpheeva, selectastyle, google
There is no second guessing Nigerian designers hold no bar when it comes to their creative expressions via the clothing medium. They exhibit a stellar comprehension of Africanesque style ethos without losing grip of contemporary appeal in the conveyance of their messages of tasteful fashion inspired by Africa. One of such designers is Osuare who dished awesome goodness on a platter of glam with their SS ’15 collection, “Reflections.” The collection is trés chic and boldly ethnic with its unique aesthetic that makes me once again proud to be associated with Nigerian fashion. I particularly love the allusions to ancient African ancestry with the hand-painted masks and highlights of bead embellishment on the otherwise plain dresses; they added the pizazz which makes the Osuare pieces covetable wardrobe staples.
The consistent originality in the works of many Nigerian designers today shows great promise for the future of the fashion industry on this side of the clime. The way they are able to sleekly establish a connection between tribal nuances and Western influences is one which provokes a certain emotion that is both visual and mind engaging.
Nigerian designers put the same amount of energy in their choice of fabric as much as they do in the designs of a collection. Basically, the fabric has become the basis and the foundation of a collection. Gone are the days when designers pick random fabrics from the textile shop. A great amount of thought is put into the making of a fabric- The texture, the silhouette and the prints are put into consideration; these factors therefore determines the choice of design it is made into.
@osuare and @sashescouture are two designers who practically hand-make their own designs. I like how they can both redesign an existing fabric by putting their personal touch into it. @osuare is no doubt inspired by art and her fabrics are usually done in tie and dye, she makes paintings and drawings of art work on them thus making it look really African. However, I like how she contrasts the African inspired fabrics with the use of western designs. The ability to come up with a red carpet piece in an art work based fabric is pure genius.
@sashescouture is an expert in incorporating two or more Ankara fabrics to make one piece. The creativity behind the use of multi-fabric is not a new trend but not every designer can execute the art perfectly. I like how @sashescouture stealthily makes the “cut-out” of an Ankara piece into another in a way that one can hardly tell it’s a multi-fabric.
Nigerian Designers are more authentic in their designs as a result of what their fabrics represent- it represents African culture and Africans generally identify with the prints.
PHOTO CREDIT: @dejikinpeluphotography
MODEL: @theresaedem
FASHION & HAIR STYLING: @keluspecial
MAKEUP: @tolumakeovers
Happy weekend, WORrior! We bring to you pictures of the many times singer, Chidinma Ekile was absolutely stunning in Aso Ebi, on this week’s edition of #OwambeSaturday! Enjoy!
Hello WORriors! Today is #OwambeSaturday and our Aso Ebi style inspo is the ever beautiful Omotola ‘Omosexy’ Jalade Ekehinde! Check out pictures of the many times Omosexy wowed in African prints!
photo credits: google.com, Bellanaija
Hello WORriors! Today is #OWAMBESATURDAY and we are focusing on newly wedded TV Personality and actress, Stephanie Coker Aderinokun. The ‘Queen Of Braids’ has a classy taste and knows the right outfit for every occasion and so we bring to you pictures of some of the times she was totally amazing in Aso Ebi. Enjoy!
Africans will need no introduction to the colorful and versatile world of gele. However, for those not so familiar with the word, it is called “head gear” in English. It is a type of head wrap adorned by Nigerian women of West Africa. Typically used as a head gear majorly by Igbos and Yorubas. However, it is more common among Yoruba women. It has become a culture and a wardrobe staple. A woman can wear her traditional outfit commonly known as Iro and buba in Yoruba language (which means blouse and wrapper ) or any form of outfit as long as long it is made with an African fabric; be it lace, Ankara or aso oke, the look is incomplete without a head gear. So basically, the gele completes the look. From 2010 to now, the rise of creative forms of gele is incredible. It is so prominent that even Lagbaja (a Nigerian Musician) wrote a song about it; “onigele yi, skentele…..onigele, skontolo” and at owambes, local drummers (mainly a group of Yoruba men in dashiki or Ankara) would walk up to women with beautiful geles; beating their talking drums and singing “ewo gele gen gen lori aji gbotoko” (loosely translated as look at the beautiful head gear on the woman who respects her husband) and as tradition, these women will then spray the drummers some Naira notes. All these show that gele isn’t just a wardrobe staple; it is also a culture that is well appreciated not just by women who wear them but also by men.
The gele is usually adorned during weddings and special events. It is used to complement the traditional attire and is an ultimate stunner and statement maker. It can be tied using different fabrics such as damask, brocade, aso oke or singele. These fabrics come in a wide array of colors, patterns and textures all contributing to the unique beauty of the gele. The tying of the gele is an art in itself and it requires creativity, dexterity and skill. Some women prefer their gele to be moderate, others like elaborate and flamboyant styles and if you are one of those wedding guests who don’t like turning up in a conventional look, you can simply tie your aso oke as a turban. Whatever your preference, the gele would definitely add more glam to your look. Do you know that there are names given to different kinds of gele? There is asake gele avant garde, onile gogoro, take a bow, abebe gele, oleku gele and so on.
It has also become a money making venture as we have certain makeup artiste who specialize in the art of tying gele such as the famous segun gele, whos based in the United States and our very own Lagos-Nigerian based Ojulewa. These people tie gele for a living and also train interested persons to become expert in the field.
We do hope you get inspiration and ideas from the beautiful collection of gele styles.
By: Kelu Ogunleye
Email: keluspecial@gmail.com
Photo credit:@ojulewastudio (Instagram handle)
Lotanna Amina Egwuatu holds a Bachelors degree in Engineering from Covenant University and a Master’s of Science degree from Lancaster University, United Kingdom , After her masters at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and training with several jewellery schools in New York, she returned home to start her own Jewellery brand “Mina Stones” . Lotanna is actively involved in projects aimed at growing the Nigerian gemstone and jewellery industry. She shares her tale and journey with us in this interview.
Growing Up
Growing up as the third child in a family of four children, I was raised by a hard working mother and a strong willed father. They taught me the value of Hard Work, and reinforced in me the belief that with God all things are possible. As an adult, these principles have guided all my activities, especially the pioneering work I’m doing right now, by creating awareness of Precious stones in Nigeria, and their use as Jewellery.
Meet Lotanna
I am Lotanna Amina Egwuatu, born and raised in Abuja. I attended Queens College Yaba. I obtained a B.Sc in Information and Communication Engineering from Covenant university after which I did a master’s program in E-business and innovation at Lancaster university, UK. After my masters I started Gemology courses with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). I have trained with several jewellery schools in New York and I’m currently studying and working on building my brand – MINA STONES. I work with natural gemstones and precious metals to create handmade fine jewellery and accessories.
Passion for “Stones”
God is my inspiration. He gifted me with a passion for precious stones as well as the talent/ability to make fine jewellery from these precious stones and metals.
Personal Projects
I have some personal projects that are very dear to me. One of which also has to do with gemstones and jewellery. I’ve seen the potential in this field and I’m trying in my little way to see how we can collectively benefit from it.
In collaboration with the Raw materials research and development council in 2015, we organised the first ever gemstone and jewellery expo in Nigeria. I also have a calling to orphaned and less privileged children. I provide financial support for the school fees and overall wellbeing of these kids and by God’s grace in the future I will be able to do a lot more and especially with respect to building them up as grounded individuals and supporting their education on a greater level.
Letting Go….
I have felt like giving up several times. Those times were difficult for me , but I learnt to let go and let God. He gave me this passion for a reason.
Positive customer feedback inspire me
When I hear people tell me how beautiful my pieces are or a customer just keeps going on and on about how they are in love with their jewellery. It makes me deeply happy. I’ve received gifts from artisan miners who were grateful for my attempts at trying to grow the industry. That also made me happy. That they were seeing what I was doing and also felt the need to appreciate me made me really happy.
Nigerians know little about stones
The major challenge is the fact that Nigerians know too little about precious stones (Gemstones). I’ve had to explain over and over that natural gemstones are not man made crystals or imitations. They are mined from the earth. I’ve realised many people especially in Nigeria know only about Diamonds. But there are so many other types of precious stones like sapphire, emeralds, morganite, zircon, topaz, onyx, scapolite e.t.c and most people do not know anything about them.
Advice to women with same vision
Believe in yourself and be persistent. Challenges will come but it’s how you handle them that really matters. People will discourage you, some will encourage you. What’s most important is that you strongly believe in yourself regardless of external opinions. You can do anything you set your mind to. Only believe.
Doing something positive makes me a Woman of Rubies
I believe every woman has a unique purpose to create impact and change their world for the better in some way. I also believe in doing something no matter how small in the direction of your dreams. Right now I am actively involved in projects aimed at growing the Nigerian gemstone and jewellery industry.
Women should support one another
Our time has come. In the world we live in right now, a woman can become anything. So, let’s do just that. Let’s rise to our highest potential, and achieve great things.
Let us all do our own part and do away with the many distractions around us. We have a lot to do and I believe we get there faster when we together. As the Ubuntu Philosophy says – “I am what I am because of who we all are”. Let us all begin to look at the bigger picture.