Articles Tagged with: behind the seams
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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 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.

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 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.

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