Lyla Dejesus
Reality TV star Toya Johnson's wedding dress was a handmade, size-inclusive satin ballgown with a semi-empire waist and beaded bodice. The dress was designed by Black-owned bridal couture brand Ese Azenabor and styled by No IG Jeremy. It featured pearl and crystal embellishments, with a veil that had subtle pearls and a dramatic train. While the exact price of the dress is not publicly known, Johnson's wedding was reportedly a grand affair with lavish decorations, and her dress was described as “stunning” and dreamy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Designer | Ese Azenabor |
| Brand | Black-owned bridal couture |
| Stylist | No IG Jeremy |
| Embellishments | Pearls and crystals |
| Veil | Pearls with a dramatic train |
| Type of dress | Satin ballgown with a semi-empire waist and beaded bodice |
| Pleating | In the midsection to define the waist |
| Coverage | Elegant wrap for upper arms |
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What You'll Learn
The dress was handmade by Black-owned bridal couture brand, Ese Azenabor
Ese Azenabor's bridal collection ranges in price, with pre-designed gowns starting at $6,000 and going up to $30,000, while custom bespoke gowns start at $10,000. The brand offers consultations for a fee of $250, which is applied to the gown, and the production time for a dress can take up to 16 months.
The brand has attracted clients from across the globe, including celebrity couples like rapper icon Da Brat and Jesseca "Judy" Dupart, whose over-the-top wedding ensembles were worth a combined $50,000. Ese Azenabor's atelier in Dallas, Texas, spans 7,000 square feet, providing a spacious setting for brides to try on their dream wedding dresses.
The designer's collections showcase her unique aesthetic and attention to detail. The Spring 2024 "Essence" line, for instance, features dramatic silhouettes and stunning details, including fabric manipulation, Swarovski crystals, Ostrich feathers, and 3-D floral patterns. Ese Azenabor's Spring 2025 collection, "In Bloom," is inspired by the Magnolia Grandiflora and showcases delicate floral appliques, pearls, and signature Swarovski crystal patterns.
Ese Azenabor's gowns are sought-after for their ability to blend classic elegance with contemporary style, offering modern brides sophisticated and glamorous looks that still maintain a sense of romance. The brand's success is evident in its growing revenue, with sales of about $4 million in 2021 and expectations of $10 million in revenue for 2022.
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It featured pearl and crystal embellishments
While there is no direct mention of the price of Toya Johnson's wedding dress, it was a handmade gown designed by Black-owned bridal couture brand Ese Azenabor and styled by No IG Jeremy. The dress featured pearl and crystal embellishments, with the veil also adorned with subtle pearls and a dramatic train. The entire bridal squad wore white gowns, giving the wedding a royal yet classic vibe.
The dress was a true showstopper and stole the show at the grand wedding with lavish decorations. The pearl and crystal embellishments sparkled and shone, adding a touch of glamour and elegance to the gown. The embellishments were carefully crafted and artfully placed to complement the design of the dress. Each pearl and crystal was selected to ensure perfection and to create a cohesive and stunning look.
The crystals added a touch of sparkle, while the pearls provided a sense of classic elegance. The embellishments were used to accentuate the design of the dress, highlighting its unique features and flattering silhouette. The placement of the pearls and crystals was carefully considered to enhance the overall aesthetic of the gown, creating a truly breathtaking effect.
The process of embellishing the dress with pearls and crystals would have been a meticulous and time-consuming task, requiring skilled craftsmanship and attention to detail. Each pearl and crystal would have been carefully attached by hand, ensuring secure placement and a flawless finish. The end result was a dress that exuded luxury and sophistication, with the intricate embellishments contributing to its overall impact and beauty.
The combination of pearls and crystals created a sense of unity within the bridal party, as the embellishments complemented the sleek white gowns worn by the bridesmaids. The embellishments added a touch of glamour to the entire wedding party, enhancing the elegance of the occasion and leaving a lasting impression on all who attended. The careful selection and placement of these embellishments contributed to the success of Johnson's vision for her wedding, showcasing her support for Black-owned businesses and her eye for fashion.
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The veil was accented with subtle pearls
For her wedding, Toya Johnson wore a handmade gown designed by Black-owned bridal couture brand Ese Azenabor and styled by No IG Jeremy. The dress featured pearl and crystal embellishments, and the veil was accented with subtle pearls and a dramatic train. The entire bridal squad wore sleek white gowns, giving the wedding a royal yet classic vibe.
The veil is a traditional part of a wedding ensemble, often worn by brides to complement their gown and add a touch of elegance and drama to the overall look. In the case of Toya Johnson's wedding, the veil was accented with subtle pearls, creating a sophisticated and refined aesthetic.
Pearls have long been associated with weddings and bridal attire due to their timeless and classic appeal. They symbolise purity, innocence, and elegance, making them an ideal choice for a wedding, a celebration of love and new beginnings. By incorporating pearls into her veil, Toya Johnson added a subtle touch of sophistication and class to her bridal ensemble.
The subtle pearls on the veil complemented the crystal and pearl embellishments on the gown, creating a cohesive and elegant look. The dramatic train of the veil further enhanced the impact of the ensemble, adding a sense of drama and grandeur as Johnson walked down the aisle.
The use of pearls in the veil also carried symbolic significance. In some cultures, pearls are believed to bring good luck and prosperity, making them an auspicious choice for a wedding. Additionally, pearls have long been associated with love, faithfulness, and loyalty, making them an ideal accent to a bridal veil, a symbol of the couple's commitment and devotion to each other.
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$8.49 $8.99
Toya's dress had a dramatic train
Toya Johnson's wedding dress had a dramatic train that complemented her veil, which was also adorned with subtle pearls. The dress was handmade and designed by Black-owned bridal couture brand Ese Azenabor and styled by No IG Jeremy. It featured pearl and crystal embellishments, adding to the grandeur of the gown. The entire bridal squad, including celebrities such as Tiny Harris, rapper Rasheeda, and singer Monica, wore sleek white gowns, an unusual choice that gave the wedding a royal yet classic vibe.
Toya's choice to support a Black-owned bridal company is noteworthy, and she shared the behind-the-scenes story of getting her wedding dress to Mexico. Her gown stole the show at her grand wedding with lavish decorations. The dramatic train of her dress undoubtedly added to the overall opulence and elegance of the ceremony.
While the exact price of Toya's wedding dress is not publicly known, the intricate details, high-quality materials, and designer brand suggest that it was likely an expensive and luxurious gown. The dramatic train, in particular, would have required additional fabric and careful construction to ensure it trailed gracefully behind her as she walked down the aisle.
A dramatic train on a wedding dress can create a stunning visual impact and is often a coveted feature among brides. It adds to the overall elegance and romance of the bridal ensemble, creating a sense of grandeur as the bride makes her entrance. The train can be designed in various styles, from sleek and streamlined to voluminous and ornate, depending on the bride's preferences and the overall theme of the wedding.
In conclusion, Toya's wedding dress, with its dramatic train, exemplified her support for Black-owned businesses and contributed to the memorable and regal atmosphere of her special day. The train, along with the pearl and crystal embellishments, enhanced the beauty and grandeur of the gown, leaving a lasting impression on her wedding day.
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The bridal squad wore all white
The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress is commonly credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white lace dress to her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. The white wedding became increasingly popular among elite brides on both sides of the Atlantic by the end of the 19th century. However, it wasn't until after World War II that middle-class British and American brides fully embraced the trend.
Fast forward to the present day, and while the white wedding dress remains a popular choice, modern brides are increasingly embracing creativity and personal style in their wedding attire. A recent example is Toya Johnson, who chose a handmade wedding dress designed by a Black-owned bridal couture brand, Ese Azenabor, and styled by No IG Jeremy. Johnson's dress featured pearl and crystal embellishments, a veil with subtle pearls, and a dramatic train.
But it wasn't just the bride who dazzled in white at this wedding. In a refreshing twist, Johnson's entire bridal squad, including bridesmaids Tiny Harris, rapper Rasheeda, singer Monica, Monyetta Shaw-Carter, and her oldest daughter, Reginae Carter, wore sleek white gowns. The all-white attire gave the wedding a royal yet classic vibe, as noted by fashion enthusiasts.
The decision to dress the bridal squad in white is a unique and modern take on the traditional white wedding. It adds a touch of unity and cohesiveness to the bridal party's appearance, creating a stunning visual impact. The sleek white gowns chosen for Johnson's bridal squad complemented their figures, showcasing their individual styles while maintaining a harmonious aesthetic.
Johnson's choice to deviate from the traditional all-white bride look for her squad showcases her willingness to embrace a modern and inclusive approach to wedding fashion. By allowing her bridal party to shine in white, she created a memorable and elegant statement that celebrated the special women in her life.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no exact information on how much Toya Johnson's wedding dress cost, but it was designed by a Black-owned bridal couture brand called Ese Azenabor.
Toya Johnson's wedding dress was handmade and featured pearl and crystal embellishments. The veil also had subtle pearls, with a dramatic train to complement it.
Ese Azenabor designed Toya Johnson's wedding dress.
Toya Bush-Harris wore a strapless lace wedding dress with a coordinating, white tulle veil with scalloped, lace edges.
Toya purchased a satin ballgown with a semi-empire waist and a beaded bodice from Strut Bridal Salon for her vow renewal.
