I am not surprised that many people are asking me if my dress is by Stella Jean because as soon as I saw this Ankara print in Balogun market in Lagos, it reminded me of the bright and vibrant print Stella uses for her designs and so, I bought it. So, to answer the curiosity, No, this dress is not by Stella Jean but just like it did you, it sure reminds me of her very colourful designs.
Like I mentioned earlier, I got the print in Lagos-Nigeria in Balogun market and I got my Tailor (DNK Design) to make it for me. In Nigeria, I guess just like anywhere in the world, this is called made-to-measure whereby the Tailor takes your measurement and makes the style to fit your specifications. If you like, call it customized or exclusive, you would be very right.
For my look today, I was wearing my made to measure Ankara print dress. As the dress is very colourful with bold colours, there is so much I can do to it so I paired the dress with a pair of sling back cornielle 100mm pumps. Voila, my outfit of the day.
I love the dress so much and it is one of the smartest dresses I have ever owned. It was that good, I wore it for my speaking event on Saturday and then to Church on Sunday – changed my hair and accessories :). That is the power of wig!.
See the image of my girls that I spent time with on Saturday below and the look for Sunday in the video HERE. The video will encourage you to find and fulfill God’s Purpose for your life. Do check it out please. Let me know your thoughts in the comments please.
Stella Jean?
According to Wikipedia, “Stella Jean is an Haitian-Italian designer. Recognized as the first Black Italian designer, Jean lives and works in Rome and is considered to be Giorgio Armani’s protégé. The basis of Jean’s work is multiculturalism applied to fashion, resulting in a cultural fusion of her own métisse identity”.
The Ankara Fabric
For people who may not know, the Ankara print is very popular in Nigeria and in all cultures. I believe the Yoruba’s are the biggest wearer of the print. The print can be made into many different styles like dresses, skirts, blazers and anything you fancy really. You can send your friends or loved ones to help you buy and make them for you when they go to Africa. If you do not have anyone going that way, Asos now offer Ankara print designs, just search on Asos.
The picture above is that of myself and my beautiful younger friend – Vicky. She is a survivor of domestic abuse. She is strong and courageous and she is doing amazing, currently in Entrepreneurship Training. I am rooting for her and looking forward to the amazing things she will do with her life. Follow her on Instagram @vickyinspires.
The picture below is that of Abi from “On the Couch with Abi”. She is the host of the show “On the Couch with Abi” where she interviews “VIPs” from different background focusing on important issues like equality for women, inclusion, and much more. I sat with her on the couch for the 2020 International Women’s Day – #eachforequal and she interviewed me on “Can Women Have it All”. The video will be on Youtube soon. Please subscribe to her on YouTube and follow her on Instagram @AbidemiTaiwo.
Before I go, I want to encourage you on two things:
1. Please don’t suffer abuse for any reason – please leave to stay. Abusers a lot of times do not change – they abuse again and again.
2. If you have any dreams/vision to work on a project, please go for it, you do not have to have it all or know it all but you must believe in yourself enough to act now even if you suck. The good news is, the more you do anything, the better you would be at it. Abi works full time but she is committed to working on having her own show. #inspiring.
Finally, be willing to do today what others won’t do, so you can have tomorrow, what others won’t have – Les Brown.
I want to thank you very much for stopping by today and for reading. I do hope you liked the look and I hope that you are inspired by these two courageous women. Happy belated IWD 2020.
Lots of Love, MJ
