Have you ever come across an outfit and you automatically knew by instinct that it was meant for you and no-one else, that is how choose my outfits and I  had  that specific intuition when I was making this outfit. Those who know me call me extra, I love the extravagance and magic that comes with an outfit so they would completely agree when I say, this was meant for me.

In life, I have had my losses and my wins but I count them all as a strength because in losses you learn to be better and in wins to plan for the next goal. When I received this fabric from my sister after they arrived from Rwanda (I had wanted to tag along but couldn’t) I wanted to make something that she will awe at as appreciation for thinking of me on her travels. I was going to make something bold and amazing so that she could be proud and happy.

So I sat down looked at the blue, red and yellow print and it just elevated my spirit, I smiled and ideas started popping up. At first, I wanted to make a dress but what would be the fun of that. So at long last, I opted for a crop top, a beaded – Ankara choker that hug down, a long elegant skirt, hand bands and a matching headscarf.

The whole outfit took about a week to make especially because of the necklace that needed attention to every detail. The aim of making the necklace was to cover a bit of my shoulders an neck so that I would not be too exposed but just to tease those that will marvel at the outfit.

I can confidently say that it compliments my personality and makes me feel like an African royal, outstanding and beautiful in a way that even when I looked at myself in the mirror I just smiled.

The long pleated skirt was actually my sisters suggestion but I wanted to make it puffy and comfortable with a thick waist band to show off my waistline. For the crop top, I made it an off shoulder top to show off my flawless shoulders put also because I wanted to make a statement necklace that could compliment the dress.

The hand accessories were a last-minute addition, I didn’t want my hand to be  bare and  had a bit of fabric to spare. Because the whole outfit was already extravagant I decided to go for my pearl earrings that speak class and simplicity at the same time. The last piece of the fabric left I used it as my headgear, which the photographer suggested I tie it in a bow like style which I later fell in love with.

At the end I was pleased with how it turned out and felt that I was graceful as an African daughter.