Adana, Alesha, Aluna

Real brides in designer wedding gowns

We are very grateful to Adana, Alesha and Aluna for sharing moments from their special day.  In this gallery you can read about Yemi's experience of working with each of these brides.

Pictures from Adana and Aluna's wedding are the designer's own - some of the pictures of Alesha Dixon's wedding are courtesy of Picture Work

Adana

Four Seasons Hotel, Canary Wharf, London, Sep 2006

Yemi says: "I have known Adana since she was three years old and she was also a bridesmaid at another wedding where she wore one of my gowns.  Adana wanted a definite contrast between how she looked during the wedding and how she appeared at the reception.  The wedding dress was a long-sleeved coat dress in organza which she could then take off later to reveal a strapless low-backed wedding gown.  Another thing I remember from the wedding was that Adana was walked down the aisle by none other than Wole Soyinka, the first African nobel laureate, whom we knew from his time at the University of Ibadan."

Modified A-line dress in champagne duchesse satin, hand ruched on bodice with a matching organza long sleeve dress coat.

Adana

Four Seasons Hotel, Canary Wharf, London, Sep 2006

Yemi says: "I have known Adana since she was three years old and she was also a bridesmaid at another wedding where she wore one of my gowns.  Adana wanted a definite contrast between how she looked during the wedding and how she appeared at the reception.  The wedding dress was a long-sleeved coat dress in organza which she could then take off later to reveal a strapless low-backed wedding gown.  Another thing I remember from the wedding was that Adana was walked down the aisle by none other than Wole Soyinka, the first African nobel laureate, whom we knew from his time at the University of Ibadan."

Modified A-line dress in champagne duchesse satin, hand ruched on bodice with a matching organza long sleeve dress coat.

Adana

Four Seasons Hotel, Canary Wharf, London, Sep 2006

Yemi says: "I have known Adana since she was three years old and she was also a bridesmaid at another wedding where she wore one of my gowns.  Adana wanted a definite contrast between how she looked during the wedding and how she appeared at the reception.  The wedding dress was a long-sleeved coat dress in organza which she could then take off later to reveal a strapless low-backed wedding gown.  Another thing I remember from the wedding was that Adana was walked down the aisle by none other than Wole Soyinka, the first African nobel laureate, whom we knew from his time at the University of Ibadan."

Modified A-line dress in champagne duchesse satin, hand ruched on bodice with a matching organza long sleeve dress coat.

Alesha Dixon

Brocket Hall, Welwyn, UK, June 2005

Yemi says: "Alesha wanted a fishtail dress but felt that the she needed something with more volume to match the grandeur of her wedding church - something I managed to accommodate with a detachable cathedral train which she took off after the service to reveal the mermaid reception dress (with burgundy godets).  It looked like two completely different dresses in one design!  Nobody had a clue before she made her reception entrance and the change in look caused quite a stir.

"I matched the claret colour of the detailing in the dress to the bridesmaids' dresses which I also designed.

"It was a great honour being a part of Alesha's special day."

Alesha wore a white two piece strapless dress in duchesse satin with fishtail skirt featuring claret godets, embroidery and swarovski crystals. The full skirted A-line overskirt sat on the hip with a cathedral train.

Some pictures designer's own - others courtesy of PictureWork Studios

Alesha Dixon

Brocket Hall, Welwyn, UK, June 2005

Yemi says: "Alesha wanted a fishtail dress but felt that the she needed something with more volume to match the grandeur of her wedding church - something I managed to accommodate with a detachable cathedral train which she took off after the service to reveal the mermaid reception dress (with burgundy godets).  It looked like two completely different dresses in one design!  Nobody had a clue before she made her reception entrance and the change in look caused quite a stir.

"I matched the claret colour of the detailing in the dress to the bridesmaids' dresses which I also designed.

"It was a great honour being a part of Alesha's special day."

Alesha wore a white two piece strapless dress in duchesse satin with fishtail skirt featuring claret godets, embroidery and swarovski crystals. The full skirted A-line overskirt sat on the hip with a cathedral train.

Some pictures designer's own - others courtesy of PictureWork Studios

Alesha Dixon

Brocket Hall, Welwyn, UK, June 2005

Yemi says: "Alesha wanted a fishtail dress but felt that the she needed something with more volume to match the grandeur of her wedding church - something I managed to accommodate with a detachable cathedral train which she took off after the service to reveal the mermaid reception dress (with burgundy godets).  It looked like two completely different dresses in one design!  Nobody had a clue before she made her reception entrance and the change in look caused quite a stir.

"I matched the claret colour of the detailing in the dress to the bridesmaids' dresses which I also designed.

"It was a great honour being a part of Alesha's special day."

Alesha wore a white two piece strapless dress in duchesse satin with fishtail skirt featuring claret godets, embroidery and swarovski crystals. The full skirted A-line overskirt sat on the hip with a cathedral train.

Some pictures designer's own - others courtesy of PictureWork Studios

Aluna

Brompton Oratory, London, July 2008

Aluna, a former Top Model of Colour, had modelled for Kosibah many times in the past so she knew our designs very well already.  Yemi recalls: "Aluna was getting married in a very orthodox Catholic setting - the beautiful Brompton Oratory.  So she needed something that was suitably demure for the service itself.  So during the service she wore a Chantilly lace chemise with long sleeves.  But, like many brides, she wanted a more relaxed look for her wedding reception so I made the top detachable. The overall shape was a modified A-line to give volume to match the space of the church itself. "

Gown description: modified A-line gown with a hand-ruched bodice with chantilly lace and swarovski diamante stone appliqué. Removable lace chemise with long sleeves, fastened behind with covered buttons. Skirt with organza overlay and a double organza ruffle along the hemline.

Aluna

Brompton Oratory, London, July 2008

Aluna, a former Top Model of Colour, had modelled for Kosibah many times in the past so she knew our designs very well already.  Yemi recalls: "Aluna was getting married in a very orthodox Catholic setting - the beautiful Brompton Oratory.  So she needed something that was suitably demure for the service itself.  So during the service she wore a Chantilly lace chemise with long sleeves.  But, like many brides, she wanted a more relaxed look for her wedding reception so I made the top detachable. The overall shape was a modified A-line to give volume to match the space of the church itself. "

Gown description: modified A-line gown with a hand-ruched bodice with chantilly lace and swarovski diamante stone appliqué. Removable lace chemise with long sleeves, fastened behind with covered buttons. Skirt with organza overlay and a double organza ruffle along the hemline.

Aluna

Brompton Oratory, London, July 2008

Aluna, a former Top Model of Colour, had modelled for Kosibah many times in the past so she knew our designs very well already.  Yemi recalls: "Aluna was getting married in a very orthodox Catholic setting - the beautiful Brompton Oratory.  So she needed something that was suitably demure for the service itself.  So during the service she wore a Chantilly lace chemise with long sleeves.  But, like many brides, she wanted a more relaxed look for her wedding reception so I made the top detachable. The overall shape was a modified A-line to give volume to match the space of the church itself. "

Gown description: modified A-line gown with a hand-ruched bodice with chantilly lace and swarovski diamante stone appliqué. Removable lace chemise with long sleeves, fastened behind with covered buttons. Skirt with organza overlay and a double organza ruffle along the hemline.

Aluna

Brompton Oratory, London, July 2008

Aluna, a former Top Model of Colour, had modelled for Kosibah many times in the past so she knew our designs very well already.  Yemi recalls: "Aluna was getting married in a very orthodox Catholic setting - the beautiful Brompton Oratory.  So she needed something that was suitably demure for the service itself.  So during the service she wore a Chantilly lace chemise with long sleeves.  But, like many brides, she wanted a more relaxed look for her wedding reception so I made the top detachable. The overall shape was a modified A-line to give volume to match the space of the church itself. "

Gown description: modified A-line gown with a hand-ruched bodice with chantilly lace and swarovski diamante stone appliqué. Removable lace chemise with long sleeves, fastened behind with covered buttons. Skirt with organza overlay and a double organza ruffle along the hemline.

Aluna

Brompton Oratory, London, July 2008

Aluna, a former Top Model of Colour, had modelled for Kosibah many times in the past so she knew our designs very well already.  Yemi recalls: "Aluna was getting married in a very orthodox Catholic setting - the beautiful Brompton Oratory.  So she needed something that was suitably demure for the service itself.  So during the service she wore a Chantilly lace chemise with long sleeves.  But, like many brides, she wanted a more relaxed look for her wedding reception so I made the top detachable. The overall shape was a modified A-line to give volume to match the space of the church itself. "

Gown description: modified A-line gown with a hand-ruched bodice with chantilly lace and swarovski diamante stone appliqué. Removable lace chemise with long sleeves, fastened behind with covered buttons. Skirt with organza overlay and a double organza ruffle along the hemline.

Aluna

Brompton Oratory, London, July 2008

Aluna, a former Top Model of Colour, had modelled for Kosibah many times in the past so she knew our designs very well already.  Yemi recalls: "Aluna was getting married in a very orthodox Catholic setting - the beautiful Brompton Oratory.  So she needed something that was suitably demure for the service itself.  So during the service she wore a Chantilly lace chemise with long sleeves.  But, like many brides, she wanted a more relaxed look for her wedding reception so I made the top detachable. The overall shape was a modified A-line to give volume to match the space of the church itself. "

Gown description: modified A-line gown with a hand-ruched bodice with chantilly lace and swarovski diamante stone appliqué. Removable lace chemise with long sleeves, fastened behind with covered buttons. Skirt with organza overlay and a double organza ruffle along the hemline.