Gele

[LovinLiberia 0]

Hi everyone! I was wondering if anyone could tell me where to find the material to make a gele. Also, does anyone know what type of material the shiny ones are made out of? Is it taffeta? Here are a few pics of what I am talking about:

and

[Zi Zi 0]

Hi everyone! I was wondering if anyone could tell me where to find the material to make a gele. Also, does anyone know what type of material the shiny ones are made out of? Is it taffeta? Here are a few pics of what I am talking about:

and

Beautiful ..... The material can vary the important thing is how the fabric is prepared as in starching and pressing. I don't know where in the US that you can find the material. I assume if you live in city with a huge African pop. they should have a African fabric shop. (I purchase all my African material in Nigeria) Usually at a big event here in the states like a wedding the brides family will provide a women who for a small fee will tie your wrap for you. It does take a certain amount of skill. Plus it must be wrapped a certain way depending on your life circumstances.

http://www.nalis.gov.tt/Biography/BIO_MARY...-head-wraps.htm

http://www.gelestyles.com/

Edited August 1, 2008 by Zi Zi

[LovinLiberia 0]

Thanks Zi Zi!

I checked out the first page that you sent (it had some great typing tips) and I saw this "If you are looking for a head wrap, the two-yard-long cloth will cost about $250. The fabric itself is a stiff one; it actually makes noise when you begin folding it, and has two gold designs inlaid on each side - matte for daytime and glitter for night."

AHHHHH, why so expensive??? I need 10 of them. The second site had some really beautiful ones and I went on Youtube and saw some tying techniques. I live in Houston and there is a huge Nigerian pop. here. Looks like I'm gonna have to do some hunting around this weekend.

[Zi Zi 0]

10 yikes ... will they be from the same material. Maybe it would be cheaper to buy a bolt of material. I think $250 is a bit much myself. You must post pictures when you get them.

[chispas 0]

I tried wrapping one myself and it looked a mess in the end. The whole thing kept falling apart so I ended up looking like a decked out pirate instead. I have never seen that kind of fabric in my life until I met a woman from Nigeria who had it. It does make that crackling sound when you try to wrap it and she said that she had gotten it from Nigeria. If you know anyone who is going soon, they may be able to get some for you. The only thing is it may or may not be what you want exactly. Perhaps a VJer can pick some up?????

[Simply_Uno 1]

bedda get some silk, spray starch and some chop sticks (for form) and call it a day

[Zi Zi 0]

Thanks Zi Zi!

I checked out the first page that you sent (it had some great typing tips) and I saw this "If you are looking for a head wrap, the two-yard-long cloth will cost about $250. The fabric itself is a stiff one; it actually makes noise when you begin folding it, and has two gold designs inlaid on each side - matte for daytime and glitter for night."

AHHHHH, why so expensive??? I need 10 of them. The second site had some really beautiful ones and I went on Youtube and saw some tying techniques. I live in Houston and there is a huge Nigerian pop. here. Looks like I'm gonna have to do some hunting around this weekend.

The fabric is called Aso Oke. Here are some links but I still think you can find it in Houston cheaper.

My grandmother use to take plain cheap cotton material... soak it in starch iron dry then wrap it in elaborate styles. I am assuming though that you want it for a formal occasion then it would be better to use the shiny material. You can also buy and extra strip to hand over your shoulder or tie to your handbag. I would also ask around for a professional wrapper.

http://www.africastyles.com/Accessory/aso-oke2.shtml

http://www.african-import.com/cart/Catalog...;productCode=37

[bjejelola.isscamr 0]

From what my husband tells me, Gele is the more ordinary one....where Aso oke is the more 'fancy' one. Made of thicker or shiny fabric. Even pros like his sisters/mother had trouble tying it on my head. I guess its like a tie, you have to have it around your own neck to do it properly. I look back at the pics of me with the hair wrappers on my head and I look like a hot mess. lol. Good luck on your quest.

[Sylvia_n_Joseph 3]

Listen to this as she folds it

[Ta Ta 1]

LL, look at mine under " my photos ". It cost me $ 40.

[LovinLiberia 0]

LL, look at mine under " my photos ". It cost me $ 40.

That was a very pretty one. I'm starting to think that $250 was in Trini money. I noticed the article mentioned Trinidad and I have a friend who lives in Trinidad. She says that amount is about equal to US $40 to $50. I did a search for geles in Houston and I came across this website: www.segungele.com It's the website of a Nigerian man who does bridal services like makeup, hair, outfits, and geles. He even has a little gele tying school where he teaches people to tie them. I called him and asked him if he sells any and he said he does and they cost $40. Also, I called my stepdad and his sister sells fabric in Nigeria so he said he will call her this weekend and find out how much they cost. I guess I'll weight my options and see which one is cheaper.

[LovinLiberia 0]

I tried wrapping one myself and it looked a mess in the end. The whole thing kept falling apart so I ended up looking like a decked out pirate instead. I have never seen that kind of fabric in my life until I met a woman from Nigeria who had it. It does make that crackling sound when you try to wrap it and she said that she had gotten it from Nigeria. If you know anyone who is going soon, they may be able to get some for you. The only thing is it may or may not be what you want exactly. Perhaps a VJer can pick some up?????

ROFL, that was hilarious. Watching some of the gele tying videos on youtube gave me so much courage and hope, but I want you to know that your post single handedly killed it all within seconds. Thanks, Chispas!

The fabric is called Aso Oke. Here are some links but I still think you can find it in Houston cheaper.

My grandmother use to take plain cheap cotton material... soak it in starch iron dry then wrap it in elaborate styles. I am assuming though that you want it for a formal occasion then it would be better to use the shiny material. You can also buy and extra strip to hand over your shoulder or tie to your handbag. I would also ask around for a professional wrapper.

http://www.africastyles.com/Accessory/aso-oke2.shtml

http://www.african-import.com/cart/Catalog...;productCode=37

Thanks for all of your input and help. Those were some great sites and I bookmarked them.

From what my husband tells me, Gele is the more ordinary one....where Aso oke is the more 'fancy' one. Made of thicker or shiny fabric. Even pros like his sisters/mother had trouble tying it on my head. I guess its like a tie, you have to have it around your own neck to do it properly. I look back at the pics of me with the hair wrappers on my head and I look like a hot mess. lol. Good luck on your quest.

LOL @ you looking like a hot mess. At least you had fun while looking like one. All of these horrible tying testimonies are flying around...I'm definately gonna pay someone to do these for us. Thank you for describing the differences in the fabric.

Listen to this as she folds it

She makes it look so easy.

[We_Destiny 1]

That last you tube video with the gold gelei is how I learned.. Like chipas and akinstacey sometimes they end up looking like hot messes, but a little patience and a few attempts it can be sorted out.

What color are you looking for?

[LovinLiberia 0]

Thanks for restoring my hope, lol. 9 green (I'm flexible with the shade) and 1 white or silver.

[Ta Ta 1]

LL, look at mine under " my photos ". It cost me $ 40.

That was a very pretty one. I'm starting to think that $250 was in Trini money. I noticed the article mentioned Trinidad and I have a friend who lives in Trinidad. She says that amount is about equal to US $40 to $50. I did a search for geles in Houston and I came across this website: www.segungele.com It's the website of a Nigerian man who does bridal services like makeup, hair, outfits, and geles. He even has a little gele tying school where he teaches people to tie them. I called him and asked him if he sells any and he said he does and they cost $40. Also, I called my stepdad and his sister sells fabric in Nigeria so he said he will call her this weekend and find out how much they cost. I guess I'll weight my options and see which one is cheaper.

The good thing is that once you tie it you can leave it like it is and then just place it on your head for the next party.

The stiff material just holds the shape a very long time.