ESTHER Nigerian Traditional Wedding Dress | Ivory and Gold Lace with Gele

A modern reading of the trad silhouette. The wrapper is draped and set at the hip rather than tied, the buba reworked as a hand-beaded bodice over illusion mesh, and a structured fold across one shoulder does the work of the ipele. Made for Esther, who wore it for her traditional engagement.

Fabric and beadwork

Ivory lace embroidered with gold, the metallic worked into the surface of the cloth rather than printed or foiled, so it breaks the light as it moves. The floral clusters across the bodice are applied by hand in the atelier: beads set at varied heights, stones placed individually, gold thread couched into the lace instead of laid on top. That is also what keeps the piece repairable years from now.

Cut and movement

A boned, ruched satin waist panel holds the middle through the ceremony, and the wrapper drape is stitched in place so it cannot loosen while you are dancing or being sprayed. The front opens below the knee, which is the detail most fitted trad outfits get wrong. You have to be able to kneel to greet your parents and his, and stand back up without help. Tell us if your ceremony involves full prostration and we will cut the opening deeper.

The yoke and sleeves are fine skin-tone mesh: covered arms for the elders on the high table, almost nothing to carry in Lagos heat. The train is soft rather than structured, so it gathers in one hand without a bustle.

Included

• The outfit, cut to your size or to your measurements
• Matching pre-tied gele, shaped and ready to place
• Garment bag

Shoes, clutch and jewellery shown are styling and not included.

Details

Colour and customisation

Shown in ivory and gold. Deep teal, burgundy, emerald, royal blue, champagne and blush all carry this pattern well, and we colour-match to an aso ebi palette from a swatch photograph. Some grounds change how the gold reads, and we will tell you before you commit rather than after. Regular alterations: a deeper kneeling opening, a detachable train if the trad and reception fall on one day, coral loops worked into the shoulder fold, and a simplified bodice for aso ebi groups.

Ordering

Beadwork at this density takes weeks and the atelier accepts a limited number of bridal commissions each season, so send us your date before you order and we will tell you honestly whether it is possible. We ship across Nigeria and to brides in the UK, US, Canada, Ireland and Australia. Import duty on international orders is charged by your own customs authority on arrival and is not included in the price.