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Stylecraft

 

CEREMONIALSTYLE

Attending an event is a big issue everywhere in the world, be it a dinner, concert , birthday party , wedding ceremony , or any other type of event, certain norms are taken as very integral to the success of the overall ceremony.

We don’t get a second chance to create a first impression; therefore if innovation is to work for us, we must first work for it.

Take a wedding for instance, if you are the groom or best man, it is usually expected that the traditional tail coat, single or double breasted, two or three piece suit is the appropriate way to dress.

Let’s move to the bride, it’s usually the long, flowing, white gown, cream dress, veil and so on.

Enter the bridal train, the groomsmen will wear black suits and look for some shirt and tie, that in their opinion, works well for the occasion, while the bridesmaids and chief bridesmaid pick some feminine color for their dresses.

As a guest at the event, you’re usually expected to do traditional attire, a regular dress or a suit.

For the traditional wedding, everyone involved wears native attires according to tradition.

Let us downshift a little. In my day, I have seen style evolve, and adjust to accommodate a lot more creative thinking and as such, let’s examine a few posers:

What’s wrong with a white shirt and pants for the groom?

What’s wrong with a black dress for the bride?

What would happen if the church blessing was open air?

What if all the guests were to wear shorts and a tee shirt?

What if the wedding ceremony took place by the beach?

What if the wedding proper and reception were held days apart?

What if the bride to be was to attend the bachelor’s eve party?

What if the cake was black?

What if u took people along with you for your honeymoon so you don’t get bored?

What if the groom went topless for the event?

What if the bride and groom served all the guests, personally?

( I’m sure everyone has a few posers to add so please add your posers here…………………………………………………………………..?

………………………………………………………………………………………?

It all sounds so ridiculous, but free your mind and think again. No true development of stylewas formed by following the norms.

True innovation has gone beyond thinking out of the box, to not recognizing a box at all.

Even international design organizations are now advocating through their designs that men get a lot bolder with orange ,lilac and pink. Now men can wear flowery prints without attracting negative labeling.

I personally look forward to a time when attending a wedding ceremony for example, will be suspense filled. Where anything could and will happen, and where no two wedding ceremonies will be the same except in the overall purpose of somebody becoming“ Mrs. something “. That is when the wedding actually becomes memorable

Traditional methods and falling in line completely is good for the faint hearted, but for the fearless upwardly mobile achiever, it must be garnished with innovation for best results.

Don’t blend in, stand out.

Questions for Stylecraft should be forwarded to dayoaleshi@yahoo.co.uk

Ibidayo Akeredolu-Ale is Creative Director and image consultant at QUTE COMPANY (A FASHION and STYLE MANAGEMENT OUTFIT) based in Lagos

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