Nigerian Dress Making
Graphic courtesy of Clare Seymour
You may have heard the phrase, "no one should ever outshine the bride," and thought that it's only fair. Why would anyone try to outdo the bride on their special day? Well, with Nigerian Owambe culture, they encourage their guests to try to outshine the bride's dress because, as it turns out, you can't! Owambe is a Yoruba term describing an extravagant Nigerian social gathering where people celebrate and dress to impress. These events have become a fashion statement, with the showstopper of the party being the bride or birthday girl in her beautiful, tailored dress.
During the 2025 prom season, many U.S. teenagers appreciated the delicacy of Owambe dresses and even hired Nigerian dressmakers to create and ship their prom dresses. After learning more about the Owambe sector of Nigerian dressmaking, I can assure you will gain a newfound appreciation for and inspiration from Nigerian designers for yourself.
In a recent interview, Daniella Nwankwo, a fourth-year Nigerian student at SCAD, provided more insight into the Owambe dress style.
Can you explain how it is encouraged to outdress the bride at Owambes?
In Nigeria, the aim is to try and outdress the bride, because you can't. Like, it's basically impossible. [The brides] always overdo it. So if you're thinking of dressing down, you're obviously going to be out of place, because everybody comes out dressed up, even if you're not getting married.
What are the various features that define the Owambe look?
The hair tie, the heavily beaded, and there's always, like, a corset, [and] the makeup is always on point. [Also, Owambe dresses are usually] one color or two colors. It's never too many colors. So if you're going to go green, your hair tie has to be green and your purse has to be green. Unless it's like green and gold. It just doesn't really look nice if you go all out with different colors.
Daniella also mentions how the center of the top is heavily designed and the bottom flows down.
What is the significance of the corset design in Owambe dresses?
Daniella: [In] Africa, hourglass figures are something that everybody you know prioritizes or has, because it is Africa, and everybody [and] their mother has that body type or whatever. So it has become a beauty standard where you have to have like a small waist and hips and whatever. So, like, the corset, [that] is why every single Owambe dress has a corset, because of that beauty standard.
Are there any expectations regarding modesty for these dresses? For example, such as showing cleavage in a dress or a slit in a dress?
So right now, you definitely will see some cleavage- [more than] how it was before. But right now, with the way people really are changing and aren't caring anymore, time[s] are changing, so people are being a bit free with their outfits. So yeah, cleavage will show, your arms will show. But [for the] legs, the dresses are never short. They always touch the ground, maybe with a slit. [But] nobody really cares. The whole point of this is for the bride. So people are usually focused on the bride; no one is looking for that. They just want to see you heavily dressed.
Any tips that you would give to, like, say, someone who's from the States or any other country who wants to source out these designs? Are there tips for finding a legitimate seller, or, you know, going through that process of, I guess, getting fitted?
Materials are very hard to find, especially mesh. So I [would say] five months [ahead of time], actually. [Once you pick out the materials you want], then they start to tailor it. And you have to come in a few times [to] keep fitting it and making sure it's exactly how it looks. So it's a very, very tedious process- not [only] for you, [but] for the person that is making it. Nigerians design [the dresses], but a lot of Senegalese people looking for work are the ones who sew it, usually because they're very good with tailoring. [I] have to give them their credit.
Owambe Looks at a Wedding
Nigerian couple Temi Otedola and Mr. Eazi took the internet by storm with pictures from their three weddings, held in Iceland, Monaco and Dubai. Otedola's wedding dresses ranged from contemporary couture to traditional Owambe dresses. I love the range of versatility in her gowns. She had some that were colorful, more flowy, classic cream colors and heavily beaded from head to toe.
My favorite dress was the traditional red and blue reception dress, designed by Miss Sohee. That color combination is gorgeous! The cape and the headwrap are ultimately floral and feminine. It added the perfect touch to the overall look of the dress.
Owambe Looks on the Red Carpet
I know the previously mentioned Owambe dresses are often worn to weddings and birthday parties, but we are also seeing them worn on the red carpet. Take a look at this year's African Magic Viewers' Choice Awards. These women and their designers did not come to play! Each woman showcases a dress with a unique look. The designs ranged from heavy beading and tribal patterns to very creative abstract pieces, with Osas Ighodaro wearing tree branches at the bottom of her dress. The dresses were also wonderfully tailored so they fit like a glove.
As you review TikTok creator @shaunr_green's commentary on the different AMVCA red carpet looks, I encourage you to share your thoughts in the comments below. Which looks were your favorite?
Appreciation for Nigerian Designers
Overall, I am glad to have learned about the intricacies, intentionality, and the use of Owambe dresses. I love how Nigerian dressmakers have their own flair to the designs that translate to beauty and wealth. From finding the materials to ensuring the perfect fit of each dress for your special day, the process is remarkable. This exploration of Nigerian dressmaking has definitely expanded my fashion palette, and I eagerly look forward to discovering Nigerian brands and adding some of their unique pieces to my closet.
