Doing the Gele Thing

 So I decided to do the gele (African Head wrap) thing. For the longest time my mum has been trying to get me to wear hats or african head wraps.
Gele's are traditionally used for many occasions from sunday services to weddings
and they have been part of Nigeria's history for a long time.
They come in various colours as well as texture,
but generally they are hand made from damask, brocade or asoke.
 I decided to give it a go as I observed from one of my aunty's,
 you don't have to wear the whole traditional outfit to wear a gele.

You  can actually wear these colourful materials with your usual english get ups like i did.
This was my first time tying the gele by myself
(many times someone ties the it for you)
I think i did a pretty ok job lol

Enjoy the pics!

Here is how my beautiful cousin (Peach gele) and other beautiful ladies wore their gele on their traditional wedding day

Check out some of House of Dara has hand made head wraps available on 

http://shop.houseofdara.com/

Perfect to style up your outfit or cover up a hair do. 

Edges are sewn to make for easy styling.

Read more for a video on how to tie your own gele.

Its Wedding Season!

This is definitely the season for weddings. I enjoy wearing African print material to all kinds of events from weddings, to shows, and church events  they are stylish and customized to your fit so why not. 

Do not be afraid or ashamed to step out in your cultural wear find a material/print you like, and

a seamstress you can trust with the the design you have in mind.

Here is one of the outfits I wore to a Nigerian wedding of one of our pastor friends.  

In my culture we have two weddings 

a traditional and white wedding.  This was my get up to to traditional wedding.

Have a blessed day.

Britain's Got Talent!!!

I dont know if everyones been watching, but Nigerians all over the world are really putting us out there!! From fashion to music and dance and I am so excited. 

I recently viewed this video and wish we were able to

watch Britain's got tallent here in Canada.

It looks like this season is going to be a promising show.

I have to give these three ladys props for following their dream and giving this a try takes a lot of guts to go out there and share with the world what you got, hoping they will love it.

The african song the girls danced to is Kukere by Iyanya

who recently tore it up in Toronto this past weekend. 

The T-Shirt fresh off the press

Email info@houseofdara.com to order yours today!

Mc Bonde wearing his House Of Dara

T-Shirt on stage at the Toronto concert.

I also loved the performance by this choir as they were underestimated 

but they really showed up and showed God!!!

For your customized clothing email us at info@houseofdara.com
and subscribe to our blog--->>

One love

~Dara~

Duro Olowu meets J.C. Penney

As we all know african fashion na # 1 right now lol meaning (African Fashion is #1).
 I am so excited to see the Western and African world merged in a way that the glory is shared. In the recent years we have seen western shops and use african print and overpriced it to the max, not saying african designers dont too. Its just that I am glad that this collaboration offers 

clothing in such an affordable way. According to okay africa the price

of the clothing and accessories will start from $10 to $100.00 which is pretty fair.

Bellow are pictures of clothing and accessories from the collection that are my favs.

     

Just Do it!

To be honest with you all, I always wanted to have my own fashion line, but I really did not see it as a business; I just saw it as designing clothes.

So, as we continue in this New Year.

I want to share some tips with all the individuals out there

Who desire to get something started,

Maybe a new career, business, or even life in general.

#1 Just do it. 

Many times I speak to people and everyone has great ideas in mind but are scared as to how it will turn out, wondering if people are going to like what they do, if they will succeed.
 The big thing is if we don’t start, nothing will happen.
In 2008 a young woman asked why Hillary Clinton was campaigning for presidency when no woman has ever won it. She replied no woman will win if they don't venture!

#2 Find people who are doing what you doing and learn

I always say this to my family and friends some people were born all filled with talent,

While some of us have to learn and polish the ones that we have.

#3 Do not procrastinate!!!!!!! Do it now!

 This year procrastination is a behaviour I am working on. Just start, the first T-Shirt I made for my mum from House of Dara took me 1 year!. 
Late last year I realized that I could accomplish so much during the time I spent watching TV. Turn off the TV!

#4 Stay strong

Having faith, I feel is what brings us through hard times. There will be times when you feel like you cant do this any more, and more things happen that can be discouraging. Find help in your faith, religion, family and friends even online support groups that will build you up to keep going on. 
Many people did not become success overnight. Keep believing and seeing the finished picture.

# 5 Roll with the punches

 Society changes, so do trends flow with it dont let it overwhelm you and dont get stuck.

And by Gods grace, God will help us all as we embark on new journeys & goals

what do men wear?

I come from a house of girls and even went to an all girls school in london. I have realized that it is more challenging for me to come up with male designs than females. Even when shoping for the guy I am somewhat clueless. lol

I really think this is due to my surroundings. 

So, I always wonder what do men wear?? lol.

I mean when it comes to T-Shirts,
 I love the designs we have so far and I look forward to more wonderful designs.
I ask different guys every year and this year
I want to hear from all of you male and female,

But, I would really like to know

1. What Type of T-shirts guys like?

2. What colurs are best worn?

3. What is your ultimate customized shirts?

4. What type of accessories do you like to wear?

5. Does it matter if the words on the shirt is in another language?

Just to make designing  more of a breeze

Feel free to leave a comment bellow
 or email info@houseofdara.com
 your response..

Looking forward to hearing from you all.

Bellow are some of our handsome designs. :-)

 

Looking forward to hearing from you all.

~Dara~

shop.houseofdara.com

The Year of Weddings!!!

Yes I have been MIA (Missing in Action) for a couple of weeks but school started so had to settle in a little.
Now this summer I have attended 3 weddings and believe it or not this is a small number compared to the amount of weddings some people may have attended. Even celebrity weddings was at some high this year.
So,  I am going to share with you some of our fabulous  customized T shirts of this summer.

Enjoy!  D.D

Tolu and Temitope Samuel

 Customized print only T shirt

Ade & Ehi Mabo

 Customized handmade sewn on design using felt.

  to check more pics and watch Ehi & Ades Bridal clip
Click Read more <<---

New Customized Clothing and Accessories By HOD

House of Dara now provides jewellery and accessories and I am so excited for this 

as this opens up new doors and opportunities.

As we celebrate House of Dara's 1 year Anniversary

July 29, 2012

I would like to thank God and everyone that has supported House of Dara T shirts. Wheter it be by being a fan through liking our Facebook page, buying T- shirts or Tank tops for even telling others about us

 Love you all!!!

To celebrate this wonderful day House of Dara now provides ankara (Nigerian Traditional material used for everyday clothing and special occasions) hair clips, earrings and coming soon...rings and headties. We also provide Felt earrings.

Look out for changes on the HOD website this week

House of Dara provides customized and hand made designed 

T shirt  for bridal  and Birthday parties, 

Church and Business events, and your everyday look.

http://shop.houseofdara.com/

 Ankara Hair clips
Available in Bright Vibrant Colours ready to wear with your skirt or
T-shirt and good for all hair types
Can be customized to make a head band

House of Dara Tribal Earrings

House of Dara Skirts

to customize yours, email us at 

info@houseofdara.com

Shop Here

House of Dara bow tie hair clip can be customized to match 

your shirt or skirt.

House of Dara  

Felt/Ankara and Button Earrings

Available in many other colours.

Here

House of Dara Bracelet.