SLC-S25/W4 | Community World Tour: Folk Costumes and Arts

Its Week four already, yeah lets do this!

1. Fashion Fusion: A Cross-Cultural Costume Rooted in Royalty

Two weeks ago, I attended a worship gathering not just with a song in my heart, but with purpose stitched into every part of my outfit. I intentionally chose to wear an ensemble that honored my Yoruba roots while also embracing elements of modern elegance, creating what I now fondly call a “Queen Fusion.”

I wore a white lace dress, delicately embroidered to add a sense of purity and celebration. Draped over it was a jawu Aso-Oke in vibrant multicolor, styled “Oleku”, a nostalgic and elegant wrap-around way that’s both classy and feminine. My gold earrings, chunky gold chain, and gold high-heeled shoes added an unmistakable touch of modern glam, and to crown it all, I tied the Aso-Oke as a headgear (gele), structured, regal, and towering, much like how our queens wore theirs in ancient Yoruba kingdoms.

Why do I call this “cross-cultural”? Because my outfit didn’t just represent the Yoruba woman of yesterday, it blended her with the bold woman of today, here’s where the fusion happened: I accessorized with a gold chain, gold earrings, and gold high-heeled shoes, a bold statement more commonly seen in Western-inspired fashion. The Aso-Oke (a Yoruba woven fabric) meets modern-day luxury fashion styling, and even the “Queen Mother” vibe it exuded was inspired by both traditional African nobility and contemporary fashion icons. Wearing it made me feel deeply connected to my lineage, my faith, and my femininity, all in one statement.

The truth is, I just wanted to look like my mum, like royalty, and I wanted to feel whole, and I did.

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2. Ancien vs Moderne: Asoke from My Parents to Me

One of my favorite photos is of my parents taken for my father's 70th birthday. My dad, seated like a king, is wrapped in blue-striped Aso-Oke, while my mum, standing elegantly beside him, is draped in a matching Aso-Oke blouse and wrapper with beads and lace. The pride in their eyes, the strength in their smiles, this picture tells not just their story, but our story.

As a Yoruba woman, I grew up seeing Aso-Oke as more than just a fabric, it was status, identity, and a rite of passage. Traditionally handwoven from cotton or silk threads, Aso-Oke is native to the Yoruba people, especially from places like Oyo, Iseyin, and Ilorin. It’s the fabric of choice for major ceremonies: naming, engagement, weddings, chieftaincy, and more.

Over time, Aso-Oke has evolved from being heavy and rough to now having softer textures, lighter threads, richer colors, and even embellishments like sequins and stones. It used to be just three stripes sewn together: now, it’s reimagined into modern blazers, gowns, skirts, and even shoes and handbags.

But what hasn’t changed? The emotional weight. When you wear Aso-Oke, you feel like you're wearing your ancestors’ blessings.

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3. A Day in Costume

In the video, I share how I styled my Queen Fusion look, how people responded to it at the worship event, and what it meant to me and also my parents asooke.

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4. Stories in the Threads: Aso-Oke, the Fabric of Power

Let’s focus on the Aso-Oke motif. Traditionally, each weave or stripe in Aso-Oke tells a story, sometimes of tribal heritage, other times of spiritual beliefs. The popular “Etu” pattern (deep indigo with stripes) was originally worn by warriors and symbolizes protection. The “Sanyan” weave, often beige and soft, symbolizes dignity and age.

In my look, the multicolor weft is a modern style but still carries meaning. The blend of bold colors symbolizes unity, joy, and abundance. My mum used to say, "When the cloth is loud, the heart is light."

📍 SteemAtlas Pin: Oyo Town, Nigeria
[//]:# (!steematlas 7.80182014 lat 3.93310547 long Oyo state,Known for Aso Oke weavers in Yoruba land d3scr)

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TYPE LESS, SMILE MORE

When I wear this cloth, I don’t just dress: I become my mother’s pride and my ancestors’ echo.