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September 15, 2022

TRUST THE PROCESS – KOSIBAH COUTURE GOWN CALLIOPE.

The process of creating Kosibah couture gown Calliope from the Kosibah atelier till a styled shoot in the beautiful Chateau Challian. Strapless gown with ruched Tulle corseted bodice. Column skirt with puddle train. Hand stitched appliqués on the skirt. Tulle overskirt with cathedral train. Removable Tulle chemise with cap sleeves.

Styled shoot location: Chateau de Challian, Challian-la-Potherie, France.

Styled shoot images by Nek Vardikos.

Please play the video to view the process.

Pinning hand-cut appliques unto the skirt front
Pinning hand-cut appliques unto the skirt front
Hand sewing the appliques unto the lower end of the skirt front
Hand sewing the appliques unto the upper end of the skirt front
The appliques now stitched unto the skirt front
Appliques pinned unto the skirt back panel
Hand sewing the appliques unto the skirt back panel
The completed skirt back panel with appliques
Close up view of the hand stitched appliques
The underside of the skirt back panels showing the thread lines
The skirt front and back panels joined together (front view)
he skirt front and back panels joined together (back view)
Starting the top left to lower right draping process on the bodice
Draping the back of the bodice
Draping the back of the bodice
That section of draping completed
Each pin will be replaced by a stitch to keep the fold in place
The back view
Starting the top right to lower left draping process on the bodice
Creating draping folds held in place with the pins
Adding more folds
The draping completed. Half the folds have been hand-stitched in place, half still with the holding pins
The bodice facing, with the corsetry boning, and the skirt lining (front view)
The bodice facing, with the corsetry boning, and the skirt lining (back view)
The bodice and skirt pinned unto the dress stand o check the flow before the overskirt is added
The gown completed
Close up of the flow between the draped bodice and the gathered overskirt
Kosibah gown Calliope on location at Chateau Challian
Kosibah gown Calliope on location at Chateau Challian
Kosibah gown Calliope on location at Chateau Challian

What are your thoughts or questions about the process involved in the creation of this gown? Please leave your comments below.

September 1, 2022

TRUST THE PROCESS – KOSIBAH BRIDE SIMI RASHEED.

Today September 1st 2022 marks exactly 31 years Kosibah was established as a business. To celebrate that, I share with you the creation of Kosibah Real Bride Simi’s couture bridal gown from sketch to wedding day.

Designing and creating Simi’s couture bridal gown was very special to me because she is my niece. I went to see her in hospital the day after she was born and I said to her mother I hoped to make her wedding dress whenever she decided to get married.

Simi wore a strapless gown with a trumpet silhouette skirt in duchesse satin  with an organza overlay featuring a high hemline in front and a cathedral length train edged with Swarovski embellished beaded scalloped lace. Hand-cut lace appliques were also strategically placed on the bodice and Bothe the underlay and overlay fabrics of the gown.

Simi’s tulle cathedral veil had the same lace appliques running down from the comb and around the edge.

Location: London, UK.

Please play the video to view the process.

Here is the Google review left by Kosibah Bride Simi.
The sketch for Simi’s couture gown
Simi trying on her toile (prototype)
Designer/ uncle and niece
Plotting the lace applique placement for the underlay fabric of the gown
The lace placement for the overlay fabric on the toile. Will later be hand-stitched unto the organza overlay of the actual gown
Close up of applique placement for the bust area of the bodice
Applique placement for the front bodice
Applique placement for the front underlay fabric
Hand sewing lace appliques unto the tulle cathedral veil
The front of the gown
The back of the gown
Designer/ uncle and niece
View of the lace appliques on the chemise sleeve
Close up view of the details on the top part of the cathedral veil
The layered lengths of the veil, organza overlay and duchesse satin underlay of the gown
Here comes the Kosibah Real Bride
The happy couple
The happy couple and Simi’s parents. Mother-of-the-Bride wearing couture Kosibah
The bride and her designer
Simi dancing into her reception without her long sleeved chemise
Back view of the gown with the chemise removed
Here is the Google review left by Kosibah Bride Simi.

What are your thoughts or questions about the process involved in the creation of this gown? Please leave your comments below.

August 25, 2022

TRUST THE PROCESS – KOSIBAH BRIDE IFE.

The creation of Kosibah Bride Ife’s couture bridal gown from Atelier to First dance.

Ife wore a strapless mermaid couture gown. The bodice, with a sweetheart neckline, is in French lace with a duchesse satin underlay and has an internal corset. The mermaid skirt in ruffled layers of tulle and lace has a cathedral length train. The ensemble is completed with a tulle chemise with a high neckline and long fitted sleeves with hand stitched French lace appliques.

The cathedral tulle veil also features hand stitched French lace appliques.

Wedding location: Birmingham, UK.

Please play the video to view the process.

Cutting the applique patterns from the lace fabric piece
Adding Swarovski diamante crystals to the appliques
Pinning the appliques unto the toile (prototype), these will later be hand-stitched into place on the actual gown
The lace edging pinned unto the hem of the toile
Hand sewing the lace appliques unto the tulle cathedral veil
Close up of the bodice
Close up of the first skirt ruffle
The tulle and lace chemise worn under the strapless gown for modesty
Getting Ife dressed
Kosibah Bride Ife dressed and ready to eave to get married
Back view of Ife’s cathedral veil with hand-stitched lace appliques
Ife and her husband
Ife and her bridesmaids
Ife with her tulle chemise removed for her reception
Yemi and Ife without her tulle chemise

What are your thoughts or questions about the process involved in the creation of this gown? Please leave your comments below.

August 18, 2022

TRUST THE PROCESS – KOSIBAH BRIDE MORIYIKE.

The creation of Kosibah Bride Moriyike’s couture reception gown from sketch to dancing into the reception Hall.

Moriyike wanted a gown she would change into to dance into her wedding Reception. Since her first dress would be white, she wanted some colour in the dress. I designed a gown with a removable overskirt that had enough drama for the occasion, which could then be removed for the more relaxed part at the latter part of the evening and could be worn again for another occasion.

The appliqués on the gown were cut out from a piece of lace fabric and hand sewn in place on the gown.

Please play the video to view the process.

Sketch of Moriyike’s Recepion gown
Trying on the toile (prototype) to ensure a perfect fit
Sourcing the beaded lace fabric from where the appliqués will be harvested
The appliques pinned on the back bodice pieces
The appliques are then hand-stitched into place
Draping the bodice on the dress stand
Draping the bodice
The draped bodice is then taken off the dress stand
The drape folds and more appliques are hand-stitched into place
Appliques pinned unto the skirt area of the gown
The appliques stitched into place
The bodice and skirt pieces pinned unto the dress stand
Back view of the skirt piece
The gown completed
The gown completed
The dress in its Kosibah garment bag
The overskirt
The dress and the overskirt
Dressing Moriyike assisted by Bridal Stylist Segun Gele
Yemi and Moriyike (without the overskirt)
Yemi and Moriyike (with the overskirt)

What are your thoughts or questions about the process involved in the creation of this gown? Please leave your comments below.

August 11, 2022

TRUST THE PROCESS – KOSIBAH BRIDE CLARA OLATUNJI.

The creation of Kosibah Bride Clara’s couture bridal gown from sketch to walking down the aisle.

Clara’s custom gown features a puddle length trumpet silhouette inner skirt, over which is a modified A line silhouette overlay with hand-sewn 3D lace appliqués,  horsehair trim along the hemline and cathedral length train. The corseted bodice, with cap sleeves has a bateau neckline and V back detailing. 

Wedding location – Malta.

A bespoke cathedral length veil edged with horsehair trim and embellished with the same 3D lace appliqués completes the look.

Official wedding Images by T. Phillips Photography (tphillips.com)

Please play the video to view the process.

Here is the Google review left by Kosibah Bride Clara.
The floral pattern from the tulle lace fabric about to be cut into an applique
Side view of the toile with the appliques pinned in place
Back and front views of the toile with the appliques pinned in place
A heart in red corduroy fabric from Claire’s late father’s jacket was stitched into the inside of the gown
Back view of the gown featuring tiny fabric covered buttons over the zipper
A great view of Claire’s cathedral veil edged with horsehair braid
The couple exiting the church

What are your thoughts or questions about the process involved in the creation of this gown? Please leave your comments below.

August 4, 2022

TRUST THE PROCESS – KOSIBAH BRIDE MORGAN ELIAS.

Behind the scenes clips of the creation of Kosibah Bride Morgan’s couture bridal gown from toile (prototype of the gown in muslin) to her walking down the aisle.

Morgan wore a ballgown silhouette gown in sequinned organza fabric with a silk duchesse satin underlay and embellished with hand-sewn bespoke beaded appliqués. The corseted bodice has a sweetheart neckline, off the shoulder cap sleeves, and tie up fastening detail behind. The ballgown skirt has a cathedral length detachable train. The ensemble is finished with a cathedral length veil trimmed with the same bespoke beaded appliqués.

Morgan’s wedding reception took place at the MGM National Habor Hotel, Oxon Hill, MD.

Please play the video to view the process.

Here is the Google review left by Kosibah Bride Morgan.
Fitting the toile (prototype) of the gown
The toile with the detachable cathedral length train
The bespoke beaded applique before being trimmed down
Pieces of the back bodice with the appliques hand stitched in place
Layering the appliques unto the front bodice
Hand finishing the inside of the gown
stitching horsehair braid unto the overskirt hemline
Hand finishing the hemline of the gown
The cathedral veil with the detachable train in the background
The detachable train edged with horsehair braid
The back of the gown
Yemi lacing Morgan into her dress
Yemi sorting out the front of the gown
Kosibah Bride Morgan and her husband
Kosibah Bride Morgan and her husband

What are your thoughts or questions about the process involved in the creation of this gown? Please leave your comments below.

July 27, 2022

Trust the process….Kosibah couture bridal gown Erato.

From sketch to runway. Years of experience with couture techniques and figure enhancing elements in pattern drafting result in the Kosibah signature hourglass silhouette and fit.

Erato is a trumpet silhouette gown featuring 3/4 length sleeves, silver grey illusion tulle bodice with a bateau neckline and plunging V back. The skirt has an above the knee slit in the centre front and a chapel length train. Hand sewn Lace appliqués embellish the gown on the bodice, sleeves and hemline of the gown.

The couture gown is perfect for a bride with minimalist, contemporary tastes getting married in a modern setting, as a Reception or Second gown or with a shorter train for a stylish Mother of the Bride or Groom.

Because Erato is a custom made gown all fabric, colour and embellishment options are endless.

Erato - The Turner Collection
Erato – The Turner Collection
Erato - The Turner Collection
Erato – The Turner Collection
Erato - The Turner Collection
Erato – The Turner Collection

What are your thoughts or questions about the process involved in the creation of this gown? Please leave your comments below.

September 8, 2021

Kosibah at 30

Kosibah celebrates its 30th year as a registered business in September 2021. I can’t believe how quickly time has flown. 

I remain thankful that I’m one of the lucky ones that was able to pursue my passion for illustration, fashion and design from an early age fully supported and encouraged by my parents, and able to study Fashion  Design and set up my business in a positive and nurturing environment. 

I am so grateful to each and every person that has played a part, no matter how small, in making the Kosibah journey reach this milestone, most especially my clients without whom there would be no business to celebrate. 

So much has changed over the years, it is almost a totally different world but I have always embraced change and sought to use it in as positive a manner as possible. 

Regardless of what Kosibah is doing now and will do in the future, creating couture/custom gowns from scratch to flatter and enhance the figure of the wearer and make them look and feel their best when wearing their Kosibah gown will always be my true love. 

Thank you 🙏🏾 ❤️ Images by Melanie Nathan

June 2, 2021

CfDA Interview Yemi Osunkoya

Yemi Osunkoya is not just an emerging talent in the world of bridal design – Yemi Osunkoya has emerged!  With over two decades of crafting luxury couture bridal gowns and formal wear, Osunkoya has found his niche and his purpose. His handcrafted opulence has acquired recognition with some of the best bridal reviews and top tier clientele. With an articulateness in fine art and a major in textiles and design coupled with a  education from the Paris Academy of Fashion, Osunkoya is a master at his craft. The aforementioned was a compromise he made with his supportive parents as he just wanted to learn patternmaking and how to construct a garment from scratch. His determination and tenacity led to his own framework of “Kosibah,” a name given to a baby girl born on a Sunday in the Republic of Benin. He chose this after his mother to honor the nourishment and encouragement his parents gave his artistic pursuits.

— CfDA
Ayo - The Asheyori Eji Collection
Ayo – The Asheyori Eji Collection
June 2, 2021

Kosibah on Vogue

Even the formidable VOGUE turn to Kosibah’s founder and designer Yemi Osunkoya, for advice and opinions on all things ready-to-wear and couture bridal.

With bespoke dresses usually taking an average of seven months to make from initial consultation to final fitting and unpredictable lockdowns meaning people were getting married at very short notice, expanding into ready-to-wear has been an approach adopted by lots of bespoke couturiers in 2020, including Kosibah Creations founder, Yemi Osunkoya. “This situation has made me realise that you have to be in control at the drop of a button,” he says on the phone from New York, where he would normally split his time with London and where he redeployed production lines to make face masks for the charity Music Kitchen NYC. “The world has changed and with so many unknowns I wanted to create a collection that reflected the new reality… the ready-to-wear collection resonated with that.”

— Vogue UK
April 24, 2017

A London Couture Designer in New York 

After 25 years of running my couture bridal and evening wear brand Kosibah in London, I moved myself and my business to New York in September 2016.

I expected a bit of an adjustment and prepared myself for it, but the reality of the move was more profound than I could have imagined.

I have always believed you should never rest on your laurels or believe you have ‘made it’ because change is constant and you must keep up with it.

What I came to realise it is that despite my flagging up the possibility of my move from London to NY, it didn’t register with a lot of people and so I’ve had to step up my marketing and brand presence strategies to rectify this.

The move is a very positive step for the Kosibah brand because aside from my UK clients (I still retain my London studio and visit every 8 weeks for client consultations and fittings) the Kosibah brand is now easily available to clients all over the US.

I have thoroughly enjoyed exploring the Garment District of NYC and especially love the fact all you needas a designer (fabrics, trimmings, equipment, sample makers etc) can be found within 7th to 9th Avenues and 37th to 40th street.

Here are some beautiful fabrics I’ve come across and look forward to using to create my couture gowns.

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l am now planning to visit a few cities in the US to hold one to one Bridal Consultations with potential clients. To get them to see and possibly try on Kosibah Sample couture gowns and then have a gown designed especially for them.
Which city and state do you think I should add to my list? The more the demand the more likely I’ll visit that city.

Copyright © Kosibah 2021. All Rights Reserved
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