For over a year now I have been seeing adverts for a company that makes the most amazing dress designs.

M.A.Dkollection is a black owned company based in Manchester, England that takes bold, vibrant African prints and makes a huge range of clothing for everyone, regardless of gender, age or race.

Now, I am very worried about cultural appropriation, given that I have no black ancestry or history.  BUT I absolutely loved all the designs on the website, and let me tell you, there are MANY different designs and prints.

I had read the “About us” section on the website where it mentions that the clothing is for all people and race didn’t matter.

Still a little unsure, I sent out an email to M.A.Dkollection, explaining that I had fallen in love with several of their dresses and would it be wrong for me to order one?

I received a wonderful email back reiterating their ethos, going as far as to say “Our dresses are made for everyone that loves colourful, vibrant, African prints. If you see a dress you like, wear it!”

Well, that was a done deal then.

All I Needed to do now was narrow my choice down from the 20 or so dresses I had been lusting over.

The reason I wanted one of their designs was all down to the prints they were working with. It was going to be my 50th birthday on the 4th July and I was having a garden party.

I wanted a bright, floral patterned dress for my big day and I knew that I could get that from M.A.Dkollection.

The dress that I had been seeing on the advert a lot, was my absolute favourite and first choice. But there was just one small problem.

The “Tess” Dress

The “Tess” looked as if it was a completely off the shoulder style which would mean me using a corset so that large section of my bra straps didn’t show.

I knew that was not practical for a busy day with up to 60 people arriving throughout the day.

Also, if it was a hot day, then I would be both melting, wearing a stiff corset which didn’t allow for a lot of movement and would be quite restricting.

So, I had to change the dress to one a little more practical.

It was then that I found the “Tania” dress.

The “Tania” Dress

Well, it was fate, wasn’t it?

I loved the design but the material was not floral. I popped them another email asking if they had any floral material which they could make me a customer Tania dress.

Their response arrived very quickly, telling me which fabrics they had and I plumped for the stunning yellow, green and red “Tutu Ankara” material.

My Chosen Material

I dropped them an email listing my measurements, which dress I would like made to measure and the material I was choosing.

It was about 3.5 weeks until my birthday but they assured me that it would be no issues at all to have it made in enough time.

Around than two weeks before my party, a special delivery parcel arrived.

To say I was excited was an understatement!

It’s Here!

I couldn’t wait to try it on so I hurried upstairs to put the right underwear on to get an idea of the way it would look on the day.

So, what was the verdict?

BLOOMIN’ AMAZING!

It fit literally like they had been to my house and measured me up themselves. Everything was perfect about it, the print, the construction, the lining, the fullness of the skirt and the fit, well, it was exceptional.

The material was so vibrant and the pattern was everything that I hoped for and more. It was quite a thick substantial material and what was even better, the skirt was lined with a black stiff material that gave it some body and fullness.

Look at Those Colours

Given that I usually have to wear a full rock n roll petticoat to achieve a similar effect which it a real bonus. The petticoats are usually made of polyester or tulle and they make you really hot.

Imagine wearing a dress with the petticoat underneath at an event, in the height of summer.

Unbearable!

This dress didn’t need a petticoat, however I can imagine it would give you a brilliant effect if you chose to do so.

Initial Try On

The neckline is slightly off the shoulder, with a “pleated” section across each side of the bust which was both form-fitting and a lovely feature.

As most ladies will tell you, if we find a dress and it has POCKETS, we lose our minds. There have been numerous memes of a lady complimenting someone on their dress and her response is “and it has pockets!!!”

It is true. A pocket is just brilliant.

Sunglasses, phone, keys, lippie, bank cards, a Cadburys chocolate bar…. you could probably find all of these in my pockets at some point.

I have gone so far as to squeeze a camera into a pocket, also a set of earphones, a paperback book or a can of fizzy drink. The deeper the pockets, the better.

POCKETS!!!!

Anyway, back to this dress.

It was a complete stunner and I was excited to wear it to the garden party I was hosting for my 50th.

Finally the day arrived and I put on a little make up, left my hair natural and curly and slipped into my dress.

Adding some dark green hoop earrings and some yellow Lulu Hun vintage style shoes and I was set to go.

The party was “advertised” as from 2pm until the last person left. Dead on 2pm the door knocker rapped and  welcomed my first party guests.

Party Time

Thankfully I had finished making all the food, gateaux and cheesecake, so all I needed to do was welcome the guests and offer the refreshments.

Well, that was my thought.

How wrong could I be?

Photobomb!!!

It was absolutely manic. People arriving, gifts being given, hugs taken, a few words spoken before the door was going again. I was rushed off my feet and didn’t seem to get a chance to sit and chat with everyone.

Filling cocktail dispensers, putting out more food, explaining what all the different sandwiches were, grabbing drinks for guests and answering the door kept me pretty busy.

Such a Full Skirt

One small downside was that I didn’t get ANY photographs of the event. I had a couple of pictures in my dress and with my Bali Babes who had travelled from Germany and London to be with me, but that was about it.

One of the guests had taken half a dozen pictures or so, but they were not of the assembled guests as such.

Me and My Boy

But the main reason I didn’t get any photographs was because I was too busy having the best time!

And it looked like my guests were too.

In fact, many of them went so far as to say what a wonderful time they were having, how relaxed and chilled out the affair was and that everyone seemed to be having a great time.

Big Ol’ Buffet

The food and drink went down a treat too and there was very little left at the end of the evening when the last person left around 845pm.

By that time, I was exhausted, sticky, sweaty and ravenous as I hadn’t had a chance to eat anything.

Nibbling on a sausage roll, I poured a Sipsmith non-alcoholic gin cocktail I had made and slumped onto the sofa.

Home Made Cake

Happy and smiling like a loon.

Till next time,

SPSG xxx