HUDA fADOUL-ABAchA

how do you think the lagos bridal Fashion Week is going to help grow the bridal fashion industry?

First I’d love to say a big thank you to the team that made the LBFW possible, as they deserve all the praise for their hard work these last few months.

The LBFW has provided a big platform for local and international designers to showcase their work. It’s also a great way to see what designers are capable of as well as understand their styles and designs. Take me for example, many believed the hudayya Bride to only be a northern muslim bride, not realising that the hudayya Bride has different characteristics.

so overall, it’s a great opportunity for all designers to showcase their work and I’m sure both brides and designers will benefit from this experience.

Which bridal wear designers have the biggest influence on you?

The one person that has inspired me from the early years is elie saab. Whenever I’m flipping through a magazine or scrolling through my Instagram feed, till today it’s natural for me to spot a dress and confidently say this is elie saab’s work. The way he merges the West with the middle east is amazing and shows through his alternate use of rich and light airy fabrics, detailed embroidery and crystals amongst many other details. When you see a middle eastern elie saab Bride, you know it, and I’d love that to apply to the hudayya Bride as well.

What do you think are the biggest challenges for the new bridal wear designers starting today?

I’d say the biggest challenge for any bridal wear designer in Nigeria, whether new or old is the fact that there is lack of trust when it comes to made In Nigeria dresses. Brides want to look impeccable on their big day, ideally with a beautifully tailored dress. Those who can, prefer to go overseas and get their dresses custom-made or off the rack, rather than trusting local talented designers to make them their dream wedding dress.

Another point to add is that overseas, designers have easier access to all quality materials needed to do their work. unfortunately, we don’t have that one place where you can get everything you need here, which presents itself as a logistical issue at times when fabric needs to be sourced , yet we only have a short time frame to deliver a dress.

can you proffer solutions?

First and foremost, we have to build mutual trust between our potential clients and ourselves. We also need to ensure that every dress tagged as our design must have excellent finishing and fitting so our brides can carry their dresses with pride on their big day. Brides should not have to be worried leading up to the day that their dress is not ready or that the quality would not match that of other bride’s dresses. At the end of the day our favourite bride should always be the next bride.

Where would you like your business to be in 20 years time?

I’d love to perfect my work and travel the world to learn fashion trends across the globe as well as showcase my work internationally. There will always be a new bride throughout the course of a calendar year and I’d love to continue seeing brides choose hudayya. 9