At Bridal Accent, every design tells a story – one that begins with a dream and is brought to life through the artistry of our design process. This month, we are excited to take you behind the scenes of creating a custom reception dress for our stunning bride, Oyin, who envisioned a traditional yet modern and elevated look for her special event.
The Inspiration
Every design begins with a conversation. For Oyin, her vision was clear—she wanted a reception dress that fused her Yoruba cultural elegance with a touch of contemporary flair. For this design, her preference was a base of lace fabric with depth and design details filling up the bodice. We worked closely with her to sketch out ideas that captured both her personal style and the essence of her wedding theme.
From mood boards showcasing fabrics, lace patterns, and silhouettes to discussions about how the gown should make her feel as she dances the evening away with the love of her life, this initial step was to ensure our creative vision aligns with hers.
The Vision on Paper
Once we fully understood the bride’s vision, our lead designer, Hikmah, went to work on the first sketches. The dress design featured a structured bodice with intricate details, soft braided web tulle layers flowing into a subtle pencil silhouette, and a Queen Anne neckline variation for a romantic touch.
Hikmah took inspiration from Oyin’s unique and bright personality as well as cultural influences, blending elements from both modern and the classic Yoruba royalty to create something truly one-of-a-kind. Each stroke of the pencil brought the dream dress closer to reality, creating a visual representation of what would soon become a tangible work of art.
Fabric Selection and Fitting
With the design in place, we moved on to one of the most exciting stages—choosing the perfect fabrics. Luxurious liquid organza, delicate web tulle, and bright electric blue beaded lace were carefully sourced to match the bride’s desired look and feel. Oyin was actively involved, feeling each material to ensure it aligned with her vision and the comfort she envisioned for her big day.
Once the materials were selected, we conducted the first fitting and reviewed the bead colours. This step is crucial in tailoring a dress that not only fits beautifully but also allows the bride to move with ease and grace. During the fitting, we adjusted the structure of the detail lines to complement Oyin’s stunning figure and began hand-sewing the intricate bead work that would define the gown’s signature look.
Handcrafting the Details
The real magic happens in the details. Over the next several weeks, our team dedicated countless hours to meticulously crafting the intricate web tulle into braided lengths and hand-stitching them onto the bodice which would serve as the bead base. Each piece of braided web net was now strategically placed in a convex shape as opposed to the initial V line sketched. This was to create a harmonious flow throughout the bodice, ensuring a perfect balance between elegance and drama.
Our seamstresses worked tirelessly to ensure the gown’s bottom flow and silhouette felt light and airy, creating the ideal movement as Oyin would glide down the guest tables blowing kisses at her guests and loved ones.
The Final Fitting
As the wedding day drew closer, Oyin returned for her final fitting. Every fitting has been filled with great energy, but this one was even more special. She came in with her mom and best friend. Seeing the joy and emotion in her eyes as she admired herself in the mirror and gave us a couple of her dance moves was an unforgettable moment for our team. Hikmah doubled as a stylist on this fitting, joining Oyin to select the perfect gele, and accessories to give it the pizzazz it deserves.
The Big Reveal
On the day of the wedding, Oyin had her special dance in her bespoke Bridal Accent gown, a reflection of her personal style, her cultural heritage, and the essence of who she is. The dress, like every gown we create, was more than just fabric and stitches, it was a tangible expression of love, care, and collaboration.
At Bridal Accent, every design we create is a labor of love, rooted in our desire to craft dresses that honor the uniqueness of each bride. We take pride in creating not just beautiful gowns, but unforgettable experiences.
Stay tuned for next month’s #BAdesign spotlight, where we continue to share the heart and artistry behind our collections. Follow us on social media @bridalaccent and don’t forget to check out our latest design insights with the hashtag #BAdesign.
Interested in designing your own custom gown with Bridal Accent? Get in touch with us today to start the journey toward your dream dress.
