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January 12, 2023

TRUST THE PROCESS – KOSIBAH REAL BRIDE LOUISE.

Louise was based in Dubai, getting married in a South African vineyard and had all her fittings at the Kosibah London atelier.

I designed and created a strapless gown with an embellished Lace corseted bodice and a ballgown skirt with layers of tulle with varying hem lengths behind to form a soft waterfall effect.

The stunning views of the Franschoek landscape made the perfect backdrop to the Cape Province destination wedding.

Please play the video to view the process.
Sketch of Kosibah Bride Louise’s gown
Toile (prototype) fitting of the gown
Toile (prototype) fitting of the gown
Yemi and a smiling Louise after the toile fitting
The completed gown in the Kosibah atelier
The completed gown in the Kosibah atelier
The completed gown in the Kosibah atelier
The gown on Louise’s wedding day
The gown on Louise’s wedding day
The gown on Louise’s wedding day
Louise being laced into her gown

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

December 22, 2022

TRUST THE PROCESS – KOSIBAH BRIDE DENISE.

The creation of Kosibah Bride Denise’s bridal gown from sketch to destination wedding.

Denise, the Birmingham based photographer behind Lensi , had a clear vision of where her wedding was going to take place and how she wanted her dress to look like. The wedding was to take place at the fabulous Villa Balbiano, an awe-inspiring property on the western shore of Lake Como, Italy.

Denise wanted one of my figure enhancing fishtail bridal gowns with a strapless bodice and a full tulle skirt with a dramatic cathedral length train. She was especially particular about the 3D Lace appliques that were to embellish the gown and after seeking options in the UK and US, the Lace piece from which the appliques were harvested was sourced and purchased from Australia.

The appliques were cut out from the Lace piece and further embellished in the Kosibah atelier with Swarovski diamante crystals. These were the hand stitched unto the bodice of glitter Lace fabric with a duchesse satin underlay.

The gown had a built in corset laced up at the back and with a zipper with decorative fabric backed buttons.

The ensemble was completed with a cathedral length plain tulle veil.

Wedding Location – Lake Como, Italy.

Please play the video to view the process.
Sketch of Kosibah Bride Denise’s gown
First toile (prototype) fitting. Pinning in the side seams to better fit Denise’s torso
Second toile fitting where all the previous fitting issues identified have now been corrected
During this fitting the choice for the shade of ‘nude’ for the bodice underlay was chosen
The panel of 3D Lace from which the appliques will be cut out
Close up view of the lace patterns
Placing the Lace piece on the toile to give Denise an idea how it would look on the completed gown
Placing all 3 fabrics for the bodice together to see how they work
Embellishing the Lace with Swarovski diamante crystals
Cutting out the various appliques from the Lace piece
Pinning Lace appliques unto the toile. They will later be transferred faithfully unto the actual gown and stitched in place by hand
Back view of the Lace appliques on the toile
Close up view of pinned appliques on the toile
Front view of the completed gown
Close up view of the bodice front
Back view of the completed gown
Close up view of the back and the decorative covered buttons over the zip
Denise trying on her completed gown in the Kosibah studio
Denise trying on her completed gown in the Kosibah studio
Denise trying on her completed gown in the Kosibah studio
We took the obligatory Designer and Bride selfie because I wouldn’t be at her wedding
Denise and her husband Ant
The happy couple
The Bridal Party
Denise’s wedding was featured in a Bridal magazine

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

December 16, 2022

The gown and the Bride – Kosibah gown Irina and Kosibah Bride Elizabeth.

Kosibah specialises in couture gowns designed and made from scratch for each individual bride right from when the design is sketched out in real time in front of the client taking in all manner of variables including the size and shape of the client as well as any religious, traditional, venue location etc. elements that may influence the style to creating the gown using over 26 precise body measurements and couture methods.

However, some brides choose a style from one of our Collections made over the years and either replicate it, or tweak it to suit their personal tastes. One such Kosibah gown is Irina from the Bienvenue Collection which was chosen by Kosibah Bride Elizabeth for her wedding at Tretower Court, Powys, Wales.

Irina in antique white duchesse satin has a draped structured bodice, with a built-in corset, falling to a circular floor length skirt with a chapel train. The skirt had a built-in petticoat which added volume. Delicate beaded appliques are stitched on the bodice and skirt.

The original version was strapless, but Elizabeth’s had draped off-the-shoulder sleeves.

The original version of Irina
The original version of Irina
December 1, 2022

TRUST THE PROCESS – KOSIBAH REAL BRIDE CHIOMA IGWE.

Chioma wanted to look and feel  like a modern Princess on her wedding day to Noble Igwe Nigerian blogger, curator, fashion, PR and styling Entrepreneur. 

Her Ballgown wedding dress featured a corseted bodice with a drop waist leading to magnificent ballgown skirt with deep pleats and a dramatic cathedral length train. 

3D Lace appliques were cut out from a Lace fabric piece, embellished with Swarovski diamanté crystals and then hand-stitched unto the bodice, off the shoulder dropped sleeves and skirt, as well as her bespoke cathedral length tulle veil.

Location : Lagos, Nigeria.

Please play the video to view the process.
The sketch for Chioma’s couture gown
chioma trying on her toile
Front bodice of toile with 3D Lace appliques pinned into place
These appliques will then be hand sewn in place faithfully on the actual dress fabric surface
The toile with te appliques pinned on
Hand stitching the scalloped edge Lace trim unto the tulle cathedral veil
The completed veil in the Kosibah atelier
Details of the appliques on the front bodice
Front and back view of the completed gown
Close up view of the center back hem of the cathedral train of the skirt
Detail view of the open back of the gown
Getting Chioma dressed
Getting Chioma dressed
No detail left unchecked
Designer and Bride selfie
Chioma dressed and ready to leave for her wedding service
Chioma in the bridal car
I got to ride with Chioma to the church
After the wedding ceremony with the newly weds
Another photo with the Bride
The couple and the Bridesmaids
The couple and the Groomsmen
Chioma and Noble Igwe

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

November 24, 2022

TRUST THE PROCESS – KOSIBAH BRIDE KIYERAN

Kiyeran was very clear about two aspects of her couture bridal gown when I sat down with her at our first consultation together…. She wanted drama at the back of her gown and a very low back.

Both goals were achieved with her corseted gown in champagne silk duchesse satin and ivory beaded lace appliques, with a sheath skirt silhouette in the front of the gown a dramatic ruffles at the back leading to a chapel train. The skirt train was designed to be bustled up to create a different look for the wedding Reception and for ease of movement during dancing.

The look was completed with a tulle cathedral length veil.

Location – One Gt George Street , London, UK.

Please play the video to view the process.

The sketch for Kiyeran’s couture gown
Pinning the Lace appliques unto the toile (prototype) to be later transferred unto the actual gown and hand-stitched in place
View of the shoulder strap top
Close up view of the back strap
Back view of the Lace appliques pinned unto the toile
Front view of the Lace appliques pinned unto the toile
Back view of the Lace appliques pinned unto the toile
Kiyeran trying on the finished gown in the Kosibah Atelier
Kiyeran trying on the finished gown in the Kosibah Atelier
Close up of the front of the gown
Front of the gown
Back of the gown
The cathedral veil with hand-sstiched Lace appliques
Dressing Kiyeran
Dressing Kiyeran
Kiyeran dressed
Kiyeran dressed
Here comes the Kosibah Real Bride
Married
The couple limbing the stairs to their Reception Hall
Kiyeran and her husband dancing into their Reception Hall
First Dance
Kiyeran greeting her guests
The designer and the Bride
The Designer and the Bride selfie
Kiyeran and her husband cutting their wedding cake
Kiyeran and her husband cutting their wedding cake
Perfect view of the bustled ruffled train

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

November 17, 2022

The creation of Mother of the Bride Elizabeth’s couture outfit for her daughter’s Traditional Engagement ceremony.

Elizabeth commissioned a couture gown for her daughter’s Traditional Yoruba Engagement ceremony which took place a few days before her white wedding. I decided to create an gown that fused Yoruba and Western style elements.

The gown comprised of an off the shoulders corset bodice with 3/4 length sleeves and a trumpet silhouette skirt with a puddle train. The heavily beaded burnt orange tulle fabric with 3D flower detailing was backed with a satin underlay. I harvested some of the flowers to be hand stitched strategically throughout the gown.

The outfit was completed with a traditional head tie called a gele and shawl worn over the left shoulder in a bespoke Nigerian fabric called Aso-Oke handwoven in silk threads and embellished with pearls and burnt orange beads.

Location: The Resort At Pelican Hill, Newport Beach, CA.

Please play the video to view the process.

Heavily beaded fabric that the 3D flowers were harvested from
The flower appliques pinned in place on the toile. These will later be hand-stitched in place
Back view of the toile
Back view of the toile
The 3D flowers hand-stitched on the actual fabric
The gown in the middle of the creation process
The completed gown
Elizabeth in her couture Kosibah gown
Elizabeth in her couture Kosibah gown.

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

November 10, 2022

TRUST THE PROCESS – KOSIBAH BRIDE RUBY.

The creation of Kosibah Bride Ruby’s couture bridal gown from sketch to First Dance.

Ruby wore a modified fishtail silhouette gown with off the shoulder cap sleeves, sweetheart neckline, deep plunge back with a tulle and lace appliqués modesty panel fastened with tiny fabric covered button. The bodice had an internal corset to achieve the signature Kosibah hourglass silhouette. 

The fishtail skirt had a 5 meter train and was edged with scalloped lace matching the hand stitched appliques on the gown and cathedral veil.

Wedding location – London, England.

Please play the video to view the process.
Sketch of Kosibah Bride Ruby’s couture gown
Ruby trying on her toile (prototype)
Another view of the toile
Creating lace appliques by cutting patterns from a lace fabric piece
A pile of cut out appliques
Adding Swarovski diamante crystals to the appliques
Hand sewing lace appliques unto the tulle cathedral veil
Hand sewing lace appliques unto the tulle cathedral veil
Close up view of the dress bodice back
Close up view of the back hem centre back
Back view of the gown
Close up view of the bodice front
Close up view of the skirt front
The tulle cathedral veil
Dressing Ruby assisted by her Wedding Planner Mati Gono
Dressing Ruby assisted by her Wedding Planner Mati Gono
Close up view of bodice back
With Photographer Jide Alakija who shot the official photos
The Designer and the Bride
Ruby dressed
Ruby dressed
Ruby walking down the aisle
Ruby and her husband taking their vows. The dramatic sweep of the cathedral train is on display here
Married!
Outside St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge
Ruby and her husband at Hyde Park
At the reception.The dress cathedral train on display
The first dance
The first dance

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

November 3, 2022

TRUST THE PROCESS – KOSIBAH COUTURE GOWN THALIA.

The creation of Kosibah couture bridal gown Thalia from Atelier to Runway.

Fitted sheath strapless gown with ruched empire line bodice. Puddle train. Hand stitched Lace appliques down the centre of the gown. Detachable Tulle Watteau cathedral train. Lace appliques hand stitched unto the hem edge.

Please play the video to view the process.

Hand stitching appliques unto the gown
Hand stitching appliques unto the gown
The completed gown on the dress stand
The completed gown with the removable watteau train attached
Close details of the ruched soft sweetheart neckline
Close details of the hand stitched appliques on the front bodice
Close details of the hand stitched appliques on the centre skirt front
The gown showing its chapel length train
Front view of the gown with the removable watteau train attached
Back view of the gown with the removable watteau train attached
Kosibah gown Thalia shot on location in Barbados by Keith Cephus
Kosibah gown Thalia shot on location in Barbados by Keith Cephus

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

October 27, 2022

TRUST THE PROCESS -KOSIBAH BRIDE LIZ.

The creation of Kosibah Bride Liz’s couture bridal gown from Atelier to just about to walk down the aisle.

Liz wore a mermaid silhouette gown. The bodice was a base of skin tone illusion mesh with hand cut embellished lace appliques hand stitched unto it. It had a plunging neckline and deep V open back and spagetti shoulder straps embellished with a diamanté chain link. 

The mermaid skirt had the upper section in Satin backed lace embellished with Swarovski diamanté crystals and the lower part layers of soft tulle with a dramatic cathedral train.

The ensemble was completed with a cathedral length tulle veil.

Wedding location – Leeds Castle

Please play the video to view the process.
Liz trying on her toile (prototype) to ensure a perfect fit
Liz trying on the completed gown
Side view
The back view of the gown
The front view of the gown
Close up view of the upper skirt lace
Close up view of the skin tone illusion mesh bodice with the hand-stitched appliques
Sorting out the gown
Sorting out the gown
Helping Liz affix her veil
Sorting out the lay of the tulle of the skirt front
Sorting out the veil and hem for a photograph
Standing next to the official photographer capturing his shot
Liz dressed and ready to go
Helping Liz down the grand staircase
Sorting out the hem before she enters the marriage room
Liz and her husband getting married
The Designer and the Bride
The grounds of Leeds Castle
The grounds of Leeds Castle
What are your thoughts or questions about the process involved in the creation of this gown? Please leave your comments below.
October 20, 2022

TRUST THE PROCESS – KOSIBAH COUTURE GOWN EUTERPE.

The creation of Kosibah couture bridal gown Euterpe from sketch to reality. Euterpe features an illusion Tulle bodice with Lace appliqués. 3/4 Length sleeves, Duchesse Satin trumpet skirt with a puddle train, Tulle overskirt with Lace appliqués and a cathedral train. 

Please play the video to view the process.

Lace appliques pinned in place on the front bodice
Lace appliques after being hand stitched unto the back bodice
Arranging the appliques placement on the skirt
Hand stitching the appliques unto the skirt
The appliques hand stitched into place
The front of the gown
Side view of Euterpe
The train of the skirt
Back view

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

October 13, 2022

TRUST THE PROCESS – KOSIBAH BRIDE LIZ OSHO

Liz wanted a gown to change into from the formal part of her wedding ceremony to the wedding Reception. I designed and created a strapless corseted gown in silk Zibeline with a sweetheart neckline. The trumpet silhouette skirt had a puddle train.

The look was completed with a silk Organza cape with a bejewelled collar and chapel train.

Location: USA.

Please play the video to view the process.

The sketch for Liz’s couture gown
Liz trying on her toile
Liz trying on her toile, here with the cape
Liz trying on her toile, here with the cape
The completed gown next to its garment bag
Liz getting dressed
Liz and her husband about the enter their Reception hall
Liz and her husband dancing into their Reception hall
Back view of the cape and gown

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

October 6, 2022

YEMI OSUNKOYA INTERVIEW ON THE LUXURY BUSINESS PODCAST.

I was privileged to be one of the few businesses in the luxury space , Founder of Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium, maker of luxury wedding cakes, world renowned sugarcraft teacher, author and luxury expert Elizabeth Solaru chose to feature in her Luxury Business Podcast. Find below her introduction to the podcast episode and the episode itself.

INTERVIEW WITH YEMI OSUNKOYA OF KOSIBAH

I first met Yemi years ago at a luxury wedding show. I had heard of him prior to our meeting as he was the only black couturier in the UK wedding industry at the time. Although the show did not go as well as planned, I was struck by his professionalism, calm demeanour and his grace under fire.

After a few years, we became friends and did many projects together. A consummate professional, he is kind and a great listener. He has a passion for creating beautiful silhouettes and his many brides are very grateful for his ability to make them look and feel amazing.

This podcast revealed a few things about him that I did not know and I’m sure you will enjoy listening to it.

Please listen to the podcast by clicking on the link below.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/luxury-business-podcast/id1607790782?i=1000562684594

I would love to hear from you if you have any comments about this episode.

September 29, 2022

TRUST THE PROCESS – KOSIBAH BRIDE SANDRA.

The moment I found out that Sandra would be getting married in the Grade II listed Anglican church St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge, I knew I had to create a gown befitting of the church’s spectacular location and interior.

Sandra’s gown in antique white silk Zibeline comprised of a strapless corseted bodice with a sweetheart neckline. The ballgown skirt, with an in-built petticoat of multiple layers of tulle had a sweeping cathedral train. It had a removable tulle chemise with capped sleeves and a bataeu neckline. Both the chemise and gown were embellished with hand stitched Lace appliques.

A Lace edged tulle cathedral veil completed the ensemble.

Location: London, UK.

Please play the video to view the process.
Sketch of Sandra’s couture bridal gown
Trying on the toile (prototype) to ensure a perfect fit
The toile, with the cathedral train bustled to shorten it for dancing
The toile with the piece of Lace from which the appliques would be harvested
The toile with the hand cut appliques pinned in place. front view
Front and side view of the appliques pinned unto the toile
Close up view of the appliques which would then be faithfully transferred unto the actual gown and hand-sewn in place
Hand sewing Lace appliques unto the gown
Front view of the removable cap sleeved chemise
Back view of the removable cap sleeved chemise
Lacing Sandra into her corseted bridal gown
Sandra dressed and leaving the hotel
Smiles all round as I travel in the bridal car with sandra
Arrival at St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge
Close up back view of the gown
sandra walking down the aisle
The marraige vows
The cathedral train and veil splayed out here beautifully
Leaving the church
The happy newly married couple
Full length front view of Sandra’s gown
Full length front view of Sandra’s gown
The Designer and Bride selfie moment captured

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

September 23, 2022

TRUST THE PROCESS – KOSIBAH CLIENT JACKIE NWOBU.

The creation of Kosibah client Jackie Nwobu’s (Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Munaluchi Bridal magazine) couture evening gown and cape from sketch to reality.

The sheath gown in stretch sequinned fabric had a corseted bodice and off the shoulder neckline. The bodice features hand draped organza gathered into into a jewelled knot at the waistline and falling to the hemline. Centre slit in front and puddle train behind.

The look is completed by a removable organza cape with a chapel train.

Please play the video to view the process.

The sketch of Jackie’s gown and cape
The toile (prototype) on the stand
The bodice front about to be draped with organza
Halfway through the draping process
The draping completed. Each pinned area will be hand stitched down to keep it in place
The front bodice and the skirt front joined together. The beaded brooch pinned in place to be hand stitched later
The back view of the completed gown
The completed gown with the cape attached
Jackie in the gown without the cape
Views of the gown with and without the cape
Kosibah client Jackie Nwobu
Kosibah client Jackie Nwobu

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

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.

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