Since its launch about a decade ago, Alonuko Bridal became one of the leading Black-owned bridal brands on the market—and for a good reason. They specialize in making illusion gowns specifically for Black women, who often struggle to find sheer dresses that match their skin tone.
Alonuko Bridal was founded by British-born Nigerian designer Oluwagbemisola “Gbemi” Okunlola back in 2012. She discovered her passion for sewing while watching her mother make beautiful gowns for clients, and decided to follow in her footsteps and started teaching herself to sew at the age of 11.
Okunlola’s creative flair and love for design guided her on her path through the fashion world, and she eventually started her own brand. Her bridal gowns are best known for intricate embroideries and matching illusion tulles, usually designed for women of color, who are often underrepresented in the fashion sphere.
Okunlola’s mission is to help every woman feel special on her wedding day, no matter what the color of their skin might be—and it all started with her sister’s bridal gown.
“When I was making my sister’s wedding dress, we found that everything that had a nude underlay only gave us the option for a beige tone, as opposed to what would be nude for the wearer. It would never happen the other way around and be seen as OK,” the designer told Insider.
