An Ibadan-based fashion designer has recently gone viral after sharing her unique experience of creating a wedding gown for a deceased woman. The designer, who operates under the name Neeks Elegance, documented her journey on TikTok, revealing both her initial apprehension and eventual acceptance of the unusual commission.
The Unusual Commission
The fashion designer admitted feeling terrified when first approached with the request to create a wedding dress for a corpse. In her viral TikTok video, she explained that despite her fear, she ultimately accepted the job because of her Christian faith. She stated firmly, "Because I have Christ, I know nothing shall befall me" - expressing her belief that divine protection would see her through the unusual task.
The designer expressed relief that the deceased woman wasn't someone she knew personally, which made the emotionally challenging task somewhat easier to handle. She revealed that the burial ceremony for the woman is scheduled to take place on December 13, though she didn't disclose additional details about the circumstances surrounding the woman's death or why a wedding gown was chosen for her final attire.
Social Media Reactions and Shared Experiences
The designer's post sparked significant engagement on social media, with many users sharing their own experiences with similar situations. One commenter named Chrystabel recounted sewing an expensive judge outfit for her late mother, expressing emotional pain that her mother couldn't wait for her graduation to wear it.
Another user, Adaora Annie, shared her experience of arranging burial clothes for her mother, detailing the emotional process of purchasing fabric, having it tailored, and personally delivering it to the mortuary attendant. She described the heartbreaking moment of seeing her mother dressed in the final outfit, noting how the video brought back those memories.
Cultural Context and Emotional Impact
The phenomenon of creating special garments for the deceased holds significant cultural importance in many Nigerian communities. The practice reflects the deep respect for proper burial rites and the belief in honoring loved ones with appropriate final attire. However, as the reactions show, the emotional toll on those creating these garments can be substantial.
Several commenters expressed their own fears and reservations about creating clothing for the dead. User Big_Tasha explicitly stated she has never made dresses for deceased persons and hopes never to have to, citing her emotional sensitivity to death and illness. Another user, ogechibasilica, shared her discomfort after learning that boxers she sold were intended for a dead man, causing her distress for an entire week.
The fashion designer concluded her post with a prayer for the deceased woman's soul to "continue to rest in peace," showing respect and compassion despite the unusual nature of her commission. Her experience highlights the diverse requests that Nigerian fashion designers sometimes encounter and the emotional complexity of their work when it intersects with cultural burial practices.
