Nigerians want to know.
I remember a long time ago, I told Igwe that I wanted to sew a traditional male outfit for myself, and he said, “Really?” He thought it was going to be a fun experiment, as did I. Classic Vera, I thought about it and then I never followed up with it because there are always one million other things going on in my head. But 2016 will be different! Anyway, I never forgot it either but the price of sewing traditional outfits here [America] is about $100 [about N26,000], not including the price of the fabric. So one has to think twice before experimenting.
The gorgeous Nigerian woman who is promoting lesbianism and that other stuff
Then a few days ago, I saw this picture floating around Facebook. The first thing I thought was, oh, my God, someone did it before me! Then I wondered who she was. Then I wondered if the picture was a painting. None of the people who posted her picture mentioned her name or why she was dressed so beautifully. Fashion spread? Political/social message? Promotional shots? I was curious.
Naturally, I went for the comments. Maybe someone in the comment section would tell me who she was and how I can follow her on Instagram for more pictures like this one. Some Nigerians did commend her fashion risk, although most of them ended their compliment with something like, “But me, I cannot wear it oh!” But the rest of them could have knocked me over with a feather with their comments.
Why is she promoting lesbianism and transgender? What if your husband/son starts wearing iro and buba? This is all Chimamanda’s fault! She’s always talking about feminism. The Lord detests homosexuality!
I’m sorry, what?????
I ran back to look at the picture again because maybe I missed something and only saw what I wanted to see. Nope. Still the same picture. So who are these people??? Where did you develop your minds? How did you learn to be so regressive? I’m actually impressed by the level of your ignorance. How did you attain this altitude of idiocy? How do you do it everyday? How are you able to live in 2016 and simultaneously act like it’s 1800 at the same time? And for those of you who are women, how are you able to be a woman and yet hate the progression and evolution of women? Teach me, please. I desire to know.
Why is it promotion of lesbianism or transgender life if a woman wears traditional male clothes? Is this any different from a woman who wears trousers, shorts, pant suits, etc? This is probably how people originally reacted to women wearing trousers and shorts. It is unladylike! The reason women’s fashion is always more interesting than men’s fashion is because of the versatility of women’s fashion. This is evidenced even in babies. Ada Verastic keeps getting gifts of clothes because she’s a girl, and there is so much a girl can wear: pants, shorts, skirts, dresses, jumpers, overalls, etc. Men, however, are restricted to pants and shorts. This is why you should not compare a woman in a traditional outfit to a man in a skirt and blouse.
Please don’t tell me that it is more of a western culture than it is a Nigerian culture for women to wear men’s clothes. Nigerians (especially the ones in Nigeria) bend over backwards to be less Nigerian. Your celebrities speak with every accent except the Nigerian one (even if they have never crossed their State line. Please don’t make me name names), and you would rather buy products made in China than the ones in Nigeria even when the Nigerian version is better. Please, spare me the culture lecture. Let’s talk about why you’re so happy to tear this young lady down. Why so bitter?
Why can’t you uplift her instead? Why can’t you commend her for promoting our traditional attire? Why can’t you laugh at the fact that there could possibly be female demons now, not only male ones (read this post if you don’t know this demon that I speak of). Why can’t you celebrate her for being black and so damn beautiful?
I still don’t know who she is, but if you know her, please tell her that I love her and she should hook her sister up because I still have an image in my head of me in men’s traditional outfits. Also, I would like to learn how to be lesbian and transgender. Because why not?
P.S. Pissing stupid Nigerians off might be my thing this year.
P.P.S. Don’t be a stupid Nigerian.
P.P.P.S. I don’t even know if she’s actually Nigerian.
See this! When i said i wanted to put on an agbada, everyone laughed at me lol. At least now i know i’m not alone.
My dear, you are not alone oh. We full ground.
I love that portrait! It is so strong and yet feminine. Jumping to conclusions is a gift many Nigerians possess, I do not know what the message of the picture was, but I love it anyway!
The Message is on http://www.behance.net/ibukunwilliams
Thank you, Ibukun!
Me, too. Glad I’m not alone.
what @damiloves said. Love it!
Verastic you and I are on the same wavelength!!! When I moved back, I told my dad I wanted a south-south etibo outfit. He said no, and that it was only for men. I disagreed but didn’t think too much about it… until Mai Atafo started making the female versions!!! Look at these hawtnesses – http://www.fashionjunkie9ja.com/2015/08/26/mai-atafos-etibo-woko-collection/
Then, I said I wanted the Igbo chieftaincy material to make an outfit but feared my grandparents would yell at me. And then I saw Madam Fashion Engineer – http://www.thefashionengineer.com/2015/04/10/isiagu-top-and-lace-up-heels/ I wanted to cry!
Chei. These clothes/styles are beautiful oh!! My dear, it just goes to show that when you have an idea, you’re probably not the only one who has it. So go and ahead and do it anyway. I don’t know if I’m preaching to you or to myself. Lol.