Royal Wedding: Demand for Fascinators high in FCT – Milliners

Some Milliners say the demand for fascinators have increased in the last few days following the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on May 19.

A fascinator is a form of formal headwear worn as an alternative to the hat; it is usually a large decorative design attached to a band or clip.

Our correspondent reports that the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex wedded in a colourful ceremony that witnessed a blend of modern fashion and British conservativeness.

Fascinators of various forms, art and colours were donned massively by guests including actress Priyanka Chopra, tennis star Serena Williams and acclaimed human rights lawyer Amal Clooney.

It was reported that although fascinators had been featured in everyday fashion for a while, head gear makers (milliners) said that they are experiencing an upsurge of sales since after the wedding.

They explained that women are finally getting to notice the fashion importance of fascinators after seeing the various intricate designs at the highly publicised wedding.

Nkese Akinwunmi of Hattabelles told NAN that fascinators have experienced a comeback and are trendier, especially with the new awareness.

“Let’s say ladies are finally getting to notice and value this headwear trend. Thank God for the MET gala and the royal wedding 2018.

“Now more people are aware that head wears are back and trendy. So I will say the market is picking up very fast.

“Seeing celebrities and royals in it sparked an interest in lots of people who otherwise will have wanted to tie ‘gele’ for a wedding.

“So now more Nigerian women are exposed to different style and shapes of head wears and they want to go with the flow,” Akinwunmi said.

She added that the versatility of fascinators has also helped its integration into the Nigerian fashion scene, as milliners are creating new styles with Ankara.

Similarly, Sam Blake of Fascinators by Sam said that his orders have doubled following the Royal Wedding.

“I think it will have a high influence on the sale of fascinators as my orders have doubled in the last few days.

“A lot (of people) are looking for similar designs to be made from what has been seen at the Royal wedding,” he said.

Also, Rita Ogbuagu of Rxgrandeur stated that fascinators add class and royalty; possessing a unique way of expressing creativity and style.

“It has always had a market here in Nigeria, but with the event of the royal wedding a lot of people will like to add it to their style,” Ogbuagu said.

Some fashion enthusiasts told NAN that the Royal Wedding has influenced their perception of fascinators and its versatility.

Annabella Iroha said that she previously had an aloof attitude towards fascinators as she felt they were too formal and boring.

“I am pro-fascinators now seeing the different creative styles and the way they came out perfectly. I am surely going to buy one for regal occasions,” Iroha said.

Eleojo Ojeh, who had a few fascinators gotten from bridesmaid duties, told NAN that she intends to buy more for herself in more ‘chic’ styles.

“Fascinators are really beautiful and it takes a group of classy people wearing them to understand the beauty and class they ensue.

“I am getting more, custom made ones that will be tailored after my favourite styles from the Royal Wedding,” Ojeh said.

Meanwhile, fascinators have been creatively placed in the headpiece choice of Nigerian brides, seeing that they were prominently featured in the 2018 Lagos Bridal Fashion Week (LBFW).

The classy head pieces are made and sold from from four thousand naira and above depending on the materials used.