by glamourbride on 05/11/09 at 1:25 pm
It’s only in Africa that one can experience the best of both worlds. Lives in the fast lane and in the wild are both equally exciting. So why not use this eclectic mix of all the continent has to offer by making your wedding dress a melting pot of African design?
Ways to be wild
Wedding dresses in Africa are generally westernised with a global approach to styling.
Defy this trend and design your own ethnically inspired gown.
Designing an African wedding dress could be done in a few ways, either you translate the culture directly by using pattern, prints and traditional silhouettes or, you draw out the colours and natural resources of the land. You could even release your inner beast and try a little animal print – let’s see your future hubby try to tame you after that!
Colour collaborations
Traditional African patterns are vibrant, especially in traditional colours like red, yellow, black and green. You can use these colours in the embellishments on your dress or choose a pattern that incorporates these vivid trimmings of pizzazz. One of our big five, the elephant, also offers a colour choice, ivory.
Glamorous gem
If pattern and bright colour is not for you, then draw divine guidance from natural resources. Africa has a mine of gems for you to design something stunning. Imagine a dress inspired by tanzanite’s deep blue brilliance, amethyst’s purple luster, a pretty design mirrored by a pink tourmaline’s shine, be ravishing in red shades of garnet, be the epitome of cool in the tropical blue of topaz, or a dress that will leave people filled with envy as green as South Africa’s emeralds. If you want to match the rock your fiancé slipped on your finger, then shine in a creation that dazzles like every girl’s best friend, a diamond.
Be bold in gold or sleek in silver
If you’re into heavy metal, of the expensive type of course, think of incorporating Africa’s greatest exports into your gown. Gold and silver, if used in the right proportions, can make your wedding dress look as rich and luxurious as your diva persona.
African accessories
Used as an ancient form of money in West Africa, cowry shells can be used as jewelry or sewn onto your wedding gown. Not only will it tie in perfectly with a beach themed ceremony, but the lovely little shells are known as a symbol of good fortune.
Beads in all shape and sizes are synonymous with African couture. Adorn the bodice, hemline or straps of your dress with beautiful beads. This statement will be a refreshing change from the usual use of crystals.
Cultural crossover
Zulu brides have possibly the best idea when it comes to wedding dresses. In this culture, brides wear three different garments. Each one has to be a different colour that shows off her beauty. Three dresses? Don’t mind if I do.
The Ndebele also make many costume changes. First they wear a stiff, beaded apron called a Pepetu before the ceremony. At the wedding venue, brides wear a Jocolo as a symbol of married status. This is a five-paneled beaded apron. Then finally the Nyoga is added. This is snakelike train which forms part of the bridal costume and makes a snakelike motion on the ground as the bride dances. Keeping it in the animal kingdom, Sotho brides wear a aDintepa, made of cow’s hide.
If you want to hide a few unwanted kilos, then the West Africans have a solution for you. A Yoruba, as traditionally worn by West African brides, is said to flatter any woman’s size.
The fabric of a Yoruba is dyed and hand-woven. It is then cut and used to make four separate parts. There is a loose fitting blouse with long sleeves (buba), a wraparound skirt which can be worn at any length and laps in the back, a headtie and a shawl that can be draped over the left shoulder or wrapped around the waist.
Advice from a style guru
Famed local designer, Kevin Ellis , advises that brides first seek comfortability in designs. He suggests that brides looking to capture the African spirit should turn to the bright colours used by the Shona for inspiration. “Incorporate beadwork with ostrich feathers and African sheeting for an authentic look. Don’t be afraid to dye the feather for that extra wow factor. Hand painted designs on the actual dress can also look amazing. If you want something that’s bold and striking, follow the designs painted on Ndbele homes,” said Ellis.
The possibilities of designing an African wedding dress are as endless as your imagination. Go on glamour bride, be daringly different, and be African!
It’s only in Africa that one can experience the best of both worlds. Lives in the fast lane and in the wild are both equally exciting. So why not use this eclectic mix of all the continent has to offer by making your wedding dress a melting pot of African design?
Ways to be wild
Wedding dresses in Africa are generally westernised with a global approach to styling.
Defy this trend and design your own ethnically inspired gown.
Designing an African wedding dress could be done in a few ways, either you translate the culture directly by using pattern, prints and traditional silhouettes or, you draw out the colours and natural resources of the land. You could even release your inner beast and try a little animal print – let’s see your future hubby try to tame you after that!
Use bright colours to bring an african feel to your wedding dress
Colour collaborations
Traditional African patterns are vibrant, especially in traditional colours like red, yellow, black and green. You can use these colours in the embellishments on your dress or choose a pattern that incorporates these vivid trimmings of pizzazz. One of our big five, the elephant, also offers a colour choice, ivory.
Glamorous gem
If pattern and bright colour is not for you, then draw divine guidance from natural resources. Africa has a mine of gems for you to design something stunning. Imagine a dress inspired by tanzanite’s deep blue brilliance, amethyst’s purple luster, a pretty design mirrored by a pink tourmaline’s shine, be ravishing in red shades of garnet, be the epitome of cool in the tropical blue of topaz, or a dress that will leave people filled with envy as green as South Africa’s emeralds. If you want to match the rock your fiancé slipped on your finger, then shine in a creation that dazzles like every girl’s best friend, a diamond.
Be bold in gold or sleek in silver
If you’re into heavy metal, of the expensive type of course, think of incorporating Africa’s greatest exports into your gown. Gold and silver, if used in the right proportions, can make your wedding dress look as rich and luxurious as your diva persona.
African accessories
Used as an ancient form of money in West Africa, cowry shells can be used as jewelry or sewn onto your wedding gown. Not only will it tie in perfectly with a beach themed ceremony, but the lovely little shells are known as a symbol of good fortune.
Beads in all shape and sizes are synonymous with African couture. Adorn the bodice, hemline or straps of your dress with beautiful beads. This statement will be a refreshing change from the usual use of crystals.
Cultural crossover
Zulu brides have possibly the best idea when it comes to wedding dresses. In this culture, brides wear three different garments. Each one has to be a different colour that shows off her beauty. Three dresses? Don’t mind if I do.
The Ndebele also make many costume changes. First they wear a stiff, beaded apron called a Pepetu before the ceremony. At the wedding venue, brides wear a Jocolo as a symbol of married status. This is a five-paneled beaded apron. Then finally the Nyoga is added. This is snakelike train which forms part of the bridal costume and makes a snakelike motion on the ground as the bride dances. Keeping it in the animal kingdom, Sotho brides wear a aDintepa, made of cow’s hide.
If you want to hide a few unwanted kilos, then the West Africans have a solution for you. A Yoruba, as traditionally worn by West African brides, is said to flatter any woman’s size.
The fabric of a Yoruba is dyed and hand-woven. It is then cut and used to make four separate parts. There is a loose fitting blouse with long sleeves (buba), a wraparound skirt which can be worn at any length and laps in the back, a headtie and a shawl that can be draped over the left shoulder or wrapped around the waist.
Advice from a style guru
Famed local designer, Kevin Ellis , advises that brides first seek comfortability in designs. He suggests that brides looking to capture the African spirit should turn to the bright colours used by the Shona for inspiration. “Incorporate beadwork with ostrich feathers and African sheeting for an authentic look. Don’t be afraid to dye the feather for that extra wow factor. Hand painted designs on the actual dress can also look amazing. If you want something that’s bold and striking, follow the designs painted on Ndbele homes,” said Ellis.
The possibilities of designing an African wedding dress are as endless as your imagination. Go on glamour bride, be daringly different, and be African!
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