Royal Wedding Extravaganza: Wedding Guest Look #2

My excitement about the Royal Wedding of Meghan Markle to Prince Harry CANNOT be overstated.  I always knew that Prince Harry’s favourite fruit was chocolate *wink wink* #blackgirlmagic .

 (Photo by Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

I have prepped 5 outfits that will (for sure, 100% money back guaranteed) land you on the Best Dressed Royal Wedding Guest list because 1) it’s not common knowledge but Meghan is my long lost cousin so my invitation should be arriving any time now (haters will say I’m lying–LOL) and 2) the looks can work for any wedding(s) or formal event(s) you have coming up this season.

**(Click HERE to check out Look #1)

So let’s get into it with Look #2:

This dress was custom made for me—I had the design in mind and sought out to buy a fabric that would help my design come alive. I shopped in one of the most under recognized fashion capitals of the world—Lagos, Nigeria, West Africa. It is the order of the day that Nigerian women buy fabrics and have outfits made bespoke for them.

This fabric I chose is Ankara Chiffon. As a West African woman, my closet is rightfully packed full with loads of Ankara pieces (tops, dresses, pants, jumpsuits, iro-and-buba sets, you name it). Ankara (African Wax Print) is industrially produced, typically colorful cotton cloth with batik printing. What makes Ankara unique is the lack of difference in the color intensity of the front and back sides of the fabric. With such vibrant colors and intricate patterns, Ankara fabrics tend to be eye catching and quite versatile. Typically Ankara is cotton cloth but nowadays we see Ankara prints in Chiffon and Silk fabrics all the time.

What I love most about this fabric is that one half is yellow-background with red floral print and the other half red background with yellow floral print. I bought some strands of emerald crystal and gold trim for a bejeweled neckline—I felt that the emerald would pop against the yellow and red, and boy did it pop!

The fabric store: Fabric Room in Lekki Phase I Lagos @thefabricroomng  

The Couturier who made the dress: Alabama Couture in Avon, MA @alabama_couture

I chose this dress to showcase the beauty of African couture. When a girl of African descent gets the keys to the castle, we have to show out, okay!!!

Boston Commons gardeners planted red and yellow tulips in solidarity with my cause! LOL!!!

My headpiece is a stunning mustard yellow fascinator that was hand-made from velour felt ribbons, trimmed with beautiful black thin swiss braid and then finished with black netting. It is by an uber-talented milliner from Estonia–I purchased it on Etsy for $79. It is whimsical and regal blended beautifully. This fascinator is sadly sold out. Click HERE to purchase other similar headpieces from the same milliner  (Margelilane) on Etsy.

I chose the Lady Dior bag in black leather and champagne gold in reverence to the People’s Princess, Lady Diana. Dior’s iconic Lady Dior bag was first launched in 1994 with no official name. In September 1995, the Lady Dior bag was given to Diana Princess of Wales by then France’s First Lady, Bernadette Chirac, on the occasion of her visit to the Cézanne exhibition at the Grand Palais in Paris. The bag became forever associated with Princess Diana. In 1996, the bag was renamed ‘Lady Dior’ as an homage to Lady Diana. Read more HERE. Click HERE to check out the Lady Dior Bag in the classic and new styles.

My shoes are by Report (Nordstrom Rack)—they are simple and comfortable, yet chic (they actually look like Gucci Sandals). They cost $25. Shop Report shoes at Nordstrom Rack: Click HERE 

Please share your thoughts about this look and about the Royal Wedding Extravaganza in general in the comment section down below and stay tuned for Look #3!!!

Love,

Chichi