"How I Made Nicole Chikwe's N1.7M Wedding Gown" - Yemi Osunkoya

Of all the six notable celebrity weddings that have held this year, that of model-entrepreneur, Nicole Chukwueke and rapper, Naetochukwu Chikwe will be long remembered and this is not because of the romp it created but the rare exhibition of class and taste displayed by the couple in their choices of outfit for their big day.

The bride, Nicole proved to indeed a lady of class as she opted for the UK based Nigerian designer, Yemi Osunkoya of Kosibah Wedding Couture Bridal and Evening Wear, who of course did not disappoint

. The choice of the snowy white fish tail dress, with a long train, proved to be just right, as it became a trending topic on blogs and news papers, days after the ceremony.

In an exclusive chat with NET, the designer, Yemi Osunkoya disclosed that the gown cost a total of £6,000 and the matching veil £850 which makes up a sum of £6,850 (N1,744,028). He added that the gown was completed in seven months, during which she had to come for fittings twice.

Osunkoya credited Nicole for the concept of the gown, which he, as a designer, had to interprete, ‘Nicole wanted a gown that would suit and flatter her figure in a light (in weight) lace fabric. Beaded Tulle was the best option.

We also needed to keep the shoulders and arms covered for religious reasons’. The gown, he says was made of a beaded tulle lace over silk duchesse satin and  the veil, of a silk tulle with hand stitched matching Lace edging.

Speaking further, Osunkoya says the gown was totally a Kosibah creation, which like the previous ones, always turned heads, ‘I had a meeting with Nicole where she gave me an idea of her ideal dress. She wanted an all lace fishtail gown with a long train. After several sketches, the final design was agreed. I sourced several beaded Tulle laces and she selected the one she liked best. She flew in for her two fittings in calico. This ensured we got all aspects of the dress right. I flew into Lagos the day before the wedding and was there to dress her and ensure the dress looked right all day’. 

He however added that Nicole’s status as a celebrity did not affect his service, ‘I didn’t realise who Nicole or Naeto C were until about two weeks before the wedding. I treat all my clients equally, so won’t have made any difference’, he told us.