Famous for its exquisite embroidery, and originally worn by royalty and people of wealth in the South South and southeastern part of Nigeria as a symbol of luxury and prominence, the emergence of George fabric has remained evergreen defying time and trends.
Interestingly, due to its representation of royalty as traditional celebration attire in the southeastern Nigeria as well as extension to South-South ethnicities, this elegant fabric is assumed by some to have its origin from Nigeria, with oblivion to the historical background first emerging in France by the Industrialist Hilaire de Chardonnet and exported to Africa in I893 where designers adopted it into high-end clothing lines gaining grounds as the rich African material for high profile social events.
Although, due to the high price of this sophisticatedly adorned imported fabric with lush colours, weavers in Akwete, Abia state began to weave local versions of the fabric, but those in the royal strata maintained the original George fabric due to its authentication of luxury which overtime became the attire of celebration regardless of the price.
As the elegant George fabric evolved, not only in Africa but Argentina, Canada, China, Japan, Mexico, United States and India where it was also adopted as one of their traditional fabrics called ‘Sari’, it became embedded in luxury fashion clothing with upgraded designs overtime.
In recent times, most of these elegant George fabrics are sourced from India to Nigeria and other parts of Africa and now worn by most Nigerians regardless of tribe and culture due to its outstanding luxury finesse and fittings.
Types of George
. Beaded George
. Stoned and Crystal George
. Indian George
. Silk George
. Plain George
. Net George
. Intorica George
Styling George
Complete – Depending on individual choice, George can be styled by designers as a complete outfit both as up and down (Blouse and skirt/wrapper) or gown.
Wrapper – Can be styled into two wrappers or even skirt and wrapper, combined with either lace or sequined blouse.
Top – Designers also style it as top and combined with matching plain, lace or sequined fabric as skirt or wrapper.
