Aso-Ebi is the Yoruba word for family uniform. It is a word commonly used to describe a uniform picked for a particular occasion and it is common among Yoruba (an ethnic group from South-West Nigeria). After the Northerners, the Yoruba are the second largest ethnic group in Nigeria. Therefore, among the Yoruba, Aso-Ebi is picked for occasions such as Chieftaincy title installation, naming ceremony, festivals, wedding engagements and other important events.
When African lace first hit the market decades ago and developed over time, it became popular among Nigerians, even those in Diaspora could not attend any festival or official occasion without wearing “lace”. Despite this, only a few people know its indispensable attribute to social life and how it was totally embraced.
Just like the African Print Textiles (Ankara), lace fabrics was first produced by the Europeans for the African market. The particular designs and qualities of these industrially produced fabrics for the West African market started in the 19th century. Even though they may have been produced in European countries, being described as “African Lace” implies that it is a product that has African origin.
With this, the Nigerian market is filled with so many types of lace materials. In purchasing any, there are different things to put into consideration. Before going to buy a lace material, it is important to know the prices of these materials.
Long before now, lace material was seen as a luxury textile because of the efforts and resources put into making it. The varieties in these materials are dependent on the production process and the thread work. Below are 10 popular Aso-Ebi fabrics rocking the social scene.
SWISS LACE
True to its name, Swiss Lace is easy to identify on the racks. It is a mixture of exquisite material with patterns and designs in the finest details, using the finest stones on materials. The Swiss Lace material is usually designed in such a way that when it is worn, it enhances the beauty of the person as it is one lace made to the highest standard of fabrics. The Swiss Lace has its origin rooted in Austria, a country popular for excellence in producing quality clothing material.
Swiss Lace and Swiss Voile Lace are the most famous materials in Africa especially among the top socialites in Nigeria. With so much emphasis on the quality of Swiss Lace, it could only be justified as it is made of the finest cotton compared to French lace. Unlike French lace, Swiss Lace has a softer texture and a luxury finish. That is why the Swiss Lace never comes bare without an extravagant finish blended in the cotton. Among the ever luxurry party lovers in Nigeria, the HOH Lace has taken a better part of the stage. The HOH Swiss Lace was an innovation from the legendary OH Hoferhecht Stickerelen an Austrian Fashion Fabrics Manufacturer.
This is a material produced with highend embroideries, linen, lace and sequined silk. It is easy to identify HOH Lace from other categories of Swiss Lace. It always comes with exclusive designes and a mystical touch of cutting edge technologies. Of course, the price of the material speaks high on its extravegance.
Swis Voile Lace unlike Swiss Lace is a naturally patterned material as it carries little detailing. It focuses mainly on the colours and patterns with no special effects like stonning or sequine. Swiss Voile Lace’s prices in the Nigerian market range from N17,000 to N85,000.
As expected HOH Swiss Lace is of 4 different types. The Irish Linen HOH Lace goes for N380,000, HOH net lace goes for N520,000, Organza HOH Swiss Lace goes for 400,000 and the price of Tulle/Sequine HOH Lace is N400,000 in Nigeria.
SEQUINNED LACE
At every visit to the Oshodi Cloth market, varity of sequinned materials are put on display with various price tags. Of course, the sequinned material will catch the eye no matter the colour or price. It is a material that calls for attention no matter the colour.
Sequinned Lace is even as popular as all the materials you see because it is delicate, and lightweight with a distinctive weblike pattern. Sequinned Lace comes in varieties like 3D Lace, Floral Applique, Tulle and more.
Even though the sequinned craze seems to have started just yesterday, sequin has long been used to beautify different types of fabric. They come in all shapes and sizes. They have even been found so many times on bridal wear. They are usually colourless with a minimal spark of glamour to a dress. Sequined lace are sold from N10,000 to N25,000.
CROCHET LACE
Originally, Crochet was not categorised under lace materials because it was believed to be easy and not so much time-consuming in production. This in other words makes it an inferior type of lace. Crochet Lace unboundedly is one type of lace that actually requires a very high sensitivity in the world of arts. It also requires the use of the best threads in a more decorative style of stitching. What makes it a part of the lace world is the variation in the sizes of the holes on a given piece. Crochet Lace is of inherent beauty, therefore it has become more widely appreciated.
PAPER LACE
From its name, it is easy to distinguish it from the regular dry lace. Paper Lace is a new material in the market that was instantly recognisable and accepted. The fact that it is new does not make it less popular as it has its unique features.
Paper Lace always comes in unusual colours and shapes with very few stones and a dull, but classy look. When worn, it looks very puffy and gives the person a very luxurious look.
CHANTILLY LACE
This is another lace material that has continued to go into the hands of various fashion designers. The sudden rush to styling our African Print (Ankara) materials on the international runway brought life back to chantilly lace. The chantilly lace in thousands of bundles lay unpurchased in the market before these events.
Chantilly Lace is a type of bobbin lace, it was first produced in France in the 17th century. It was named after the city where it was first produced. Chantilly Lace predominantly comes in 2 colours, black and white. Stop searching for Chantilly Lace in other colours!
ORGANZA LACE
This fabric was originally a lightweight silk fabric created by using nylon, polyester and silk or a blend, using any of the three. This Organza material is still very much in the market and is sold for as low as N400 per yard. The Organza Lace fabric is several years old and was even said to have been a material set aside strictly for making bridal garments in the Western culture. Today, this lace has been more of the Nigerian Aso-Ebi uniform as it has the features of dry lace and paper lace combined.
DRY LACE
Dry Lace is another fabric usually found on the Aso-Ebi list. It has even been found a couple of times in the bridal section too. In manufacturing Dry Lace, it stays longer through all processes, unlike any other textile. It is also a very popular lace you could find in the market and at Owambe. Its price ranges from N35,000 to N50,000.
FEATHER LACE
Since the dawn of civilisation, human beings have been using products from nature to produce beautiful clothes. Feather Lace is usually made from feather from Ostrich, Chandelle and turkey. The use of Feathers as a stylish accessory started from the 17th century and it was later incorporated on fine lace in the 20th century.
Therefore; feather lace fabric has since then been a popular fabric known for its delicate and lightweight material and distinctive web-like pattern. It now comes on net lace, 540 African Lace, George Lace, and many more.
CORD LACE
Cord Lace is one of the most purchased fabrics in Nigeria. It is one of the cheapest lace materials you can find on display. Cord Lace owing to its popularity has been modified in so many ways by textile manufacturers. Cord Lace has been so beautified that manufacturers now produce them in silk and rayon with stylish designs and patterns.
Even though Cord Lace was mostly worn during the traditional weddings, designed in Iro and Buba styles. In recent times, Cord Lace in plain patterns are now used to sew 8 dinner gowns and are even used to replace the chantilly for its many colours.
POLISH LACE
Polish Lace fabric is a popular fabric known and adored for its delicate nature and lightweight. It is also made of polished cotton with vivid colours and designs. It is distinctive with its popular sheen and comes with simple embroidery. It comes with a price range starting from N15,000.
– Damilola Akande
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