We love Akpos Okudu's fresh take on bridal fashion, her use of patterned fabrics, 'mix and match' and bold flirty colours are just a few of the reasons. Our recent Q&A session with her tells a lot more.
SW: Can you tell us a bit about Akpos Okudu?
AO: I'm a young, female, fashion designer based in Port-Harcourt, where I run my eponymous label. I design clothes that celebrate the female form and are about femininity, joy and exuberance.
SW: What's your take on current Nigerian bridal/bridesmaids trends?
AO: For as long as I can remember, Nigerian brides and bridesmaids have been obsessed with strapless dresses. So it's nice to see the recent incorporation of sleeves. Also the mono-strap is another favourite at the moment which I particularly like, as it gives a nice Grecian feel to weddings.
SW: What would you like to see more of with Nigerian brides and bridesmaids?
AO: I would definitely love to see bridesmaids wear dresses that suits each girl's shape; rather than just making the same dress style for every girl on the train.
SW: What trends will we NOT see from Akpos Okudu any time soon?
AO: You know I constantly surprise my self. So never say never, I guess.
SW: What are the most common style requests you have from brides and bridesmaids?
AO: Oh! My God. Nigerians LOVE, Strapless flare dresses and strapless bubble dresses. It's a hot favourite.
SW: What are your favourite hues and fabrics to work for bridesmaids dresses?
AO: I absolutely adore gold, because of its richness. I also love red as it pops and never goes unnoticed. Yellow is not very common but I find it quite nice and summery. As far as fabric types, I really enjoy working with silk, taffeta and more recently lace; as its delicate and usually very pretty.
SW: What advise do you have for future brides in selecting their bridesmaids dresses?
AO: Take every girls figure into consideration, gone are the days when the dresses had to be exactly the same style. Same fabric in different but similar styles look just as fab. Also a bit of lace never did anyone any harm, as it adds a soft touch.
SW: How versatile are your gowns? Assuming I want to re-rock the same Akpos Okudu bridesmaid dress that I wore at the 'wedding of the year', what are some of the things that could be done with it, for a fresh new look?
AO: Funny thing, I have some dresses from my collection that can be tied in three or four different ways. So looks different whenever it's rocked.
SW: What has been your most challenging dress design and why?
AO: Well, so far its all being rosy in the dress making aspect as I do a lot of thinking and calculating before I actually start cutting.
SW: How do you deal with difficult brides-to-be a.k.a Bridezillas? Any personal anecdotes?
AO: My brides generally are cool and trust me with their bridesmaids dresses (as I don't make wedding dresses for now) it's usually the bridesmaids that have all the drama. You really just have to be patient and listen to what each girl wants.
SW: On average how long does it take to create one of your dresses?
AO: Considering I don't make wedding dresses; just bridesmaids, flower girls and little brides. It takes about two weeks to make a dress, after styles have been sorted out.
SW: What's the price range of your dresses?
AO: The fabric and styles usually determine the price.
SW: What can we expect from Akpos Okudu in 2010?
AO: I'm very excited, and looking forward to 2010. As it holds a lot of surprises. You'll have to wait and see.
Thanks Akpos, we can't wait to see what's next! Contact Akpos Okudu for information on ordering.
SW: Can you tell us a bit about Akpos Okudu?
AO: I'm a young, female, fashion designer based in Port-Harcourt, where I run my eponymous label. I design clothes that celebrate the female form and are about femininity, joy and exuberance.
SW: What's your take on current Nigerian bridal/bridesmaids trends?
AO: For as long as I can remember, Nigerian brides and bridesmaids have been obsessed with strapless dresses. So it's nice to see the recent incorporation of sleeves. Also the mono-strap is another favourite at the moment which I particularly like, as it gives a nice Grecian feel to weddings.
SW: What would you like to see more of with Nigerian brides and bridesmaids?
AO: I would definitely love to see bridesmaids wear dresses that suits each girl's shape; rather than just making the same dress style for every girl on the train.
SW: What trends will we NOT see from Akpos Okudu any time soon?
AO: You know I constantly surprise my self. So never say never, I guess.
SW: What are the most common style requests you have from brides and bridesmaids?
AO: Oh! My God. Nigerians LOVE, Strapless flare dresses and strapless bubble dresses. It's a hot favourite.
SW: What are your favourite hues and fabrics to work for bridesmaids dresses?
AO: I absolutely adore gold, because of its richness. I also love red as it pops and never goes unnoticed. Yellow is not very common but I find it quite nice and summery. As far as fabric types, I really enjoy working with silk, taffeta and more recently lace; as its delicate and usually very pretty.
SW: What advise do you have for future brides in selecting their bridesmaids dresses?
AO: Take every girls figure into consideration, gone are the days when the dresses had to be exactly the same style. Same fabric in different but similar styles look just as fab. Also a bit of lace never did anyone any harm, as it adds a soft touch.
SW: How versatile are your gowns? Assuming I want to re-rock the same Akpos Okudu bridesmaid dress that I wore at the 'wedding of the year', what are some of the things that could be done with it, for a fresh new look?
AO: Funny thing, I have some dresses from my collection that can be tied in three or four different ways. So looks different whenever it's rocked.
SW: What has been your most challenging dress design and why?
AO: Well, so far its all being rosy in the dress making aspect as I do a lot of thinking and calculating before I actually start cutting.
SW: How do you deal with difficult brides-to-be a.k.a Bridezillas? Any personal anecdotes?
AO: My brides generally are cool and trust me with their bridesmaids dresses (as I don't make wedding dresses for now) it's usually the bridesmaids that have all the drama. You really just have to be patient and listen to what each girl wants.
SW: On average how long does it take to create one of your dresses?
AO: Considering I don't make wedding dresses; just bridesmaids, flower girls and little brides. It takes about two weeks to make a dress, after styles have been sorted out.
SW: What's the price range of your dresses?
AO: The fabric and styles usually determine the price.
SW: What can we expect from Akpos Okudu in 2010?
AO: I'm very excited, and looking forward to 2010. As it holds a lot of surprises. You'll have to wait and see.
Thanks Akpos, we can't wait to see what's next! Contact Akpos Okudu for information on ordering.