Sai Sankoh Discusses Designing Cynthia Bailey's Engagement Dress

Source: Stephen J. Cohen / Getty

When I interviewed Cynthia Bailey at the Radio One Raleigh Women’s Empowerment event in April, I asked her about her boyfriend Mike Hill and she blushed a little before gushing how they were just with each other the day before in LA. Her face lit up, this was undoubtedly a woman in love. A Real Housewives of Atlanta fan from Season One, I knew that Bailey was not the type to rush into marriage (or even really desire it); nevertheless, Mike Hill was undoubtedly about to change her mind. On stage I asked if she would ever marry Hill and she blushed and replied yes to the entire crowd oohing and ahhing.

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Fast forward to the opening of the Bailey Wine Cellar and what was more exciting than her new business venture was that she also gained a fiancé. Mike Hill proposed to the 52-year-old at the launch and she said yes. The model looked absolutely gorgeous on her romantic day, wearing a shirt dress by Sai Sankoh. We caught up with the West African designer who gave us all the exclusive details on the look.

Sankoh gushed, “Cynthia is easily one of my favorite housewives, she always seems so sweet, plus she is beautiful and tall and I just had a feeling my pieces would work well for her. It’s such a fun piece and I loved the sleeves, my dresses are petty long and flowy and it takes a confident woman to pull it off. She looked incredible.” Naturally, I went on the website to try and score this dress, only to discover it’s sold out and no longer on site. Beauties, never fear, Sankoh shared that it will be re-stocked in September.

Source: http://www.saisankoh.com / Courtesy of Sai Sankoh

From parousing the website, you see beautiful African-inspired pieces and Sankoh revealed, “All my prints are custom made and most of my pieces are made in India.” When you go on the website, each piece has a description of the type of woman that’s waring it. The above is called the Maldives Goddess Kaftan ($295.00, saisankoh.com) and describes the woman buying the piece as “a traveler who spends six months out of the year visiting foreign destinations.” Sankoh stated, “I wanted to relate to every woman: the boss lady, the full time mother that needs a vacation, the single lady that wants to have a memorable night out in Miami. When my customers read the stories they always send me feedback, like, ‘Hey, I’m a doctor and I have been so busy and I needed this vacation, and this is totally about me.” It’s the beautiful detailing in the pieces and touches like this that make this brand special.

Inclusivity within the brand doesn’t just stop at what type of woman you are; Sankoh makes sure that women of all sizes can shop as well, going up to a 3XL in certain styles. Sankoh explained, “I am naturally a curvy woman, meaning I have a butt, and I love to accentuate it. All that is required to wear my pieces is confidence, and I saw a big demand for curvy women wanting glamorous travel wear, and I needed to fulfill that.” The kaftans are truly one size fit all and look great on an array of body shapes and sizes.

I’m so here for glamour resort wear and diverting from the typical looks that everyone else is shopping. Custom prints mean that you will have unique looks. While Cynthia’s dress is currently sold out, here are five of my favorite pieces from the site to shop. Let me know which ones are your favorite!

Algeria Shirt Dress

Source: http://www.saisankoh.com / Courtesy of Sai Sankoh

While you can’t have the same exact dress as Bailey (right now at least), you can have the silhouette. This yellow and green python shirt dress ($195.00, saisankoh.com) is a sexy statement piece that is perfect for a Caribbean summer night.

Kimora

Source: http://www.saisankoh.com / Courtesy of Sai Sankoh

This dress ($250.00, saisankoh.com) is purrr-fect. The sexy tiger stripes, see through fabric and alluring cut outs will make any woman feel like a goddess.

Source: http://www.saisankoh.com / Courtesy of Sai Sankoh

If your not afraid to show a little skin, this dress is for you.

Zendaya Pantsuit

Source: http://www.saisankoh.com / Courtesy of Sai Sankoh

Can’t fully let go of the boardroom even while on vacation? Then shake it up with the Zendaya Pant Suit ($395.00, saisankoh.com). You’ll still be the boss in this suit for your #NeverNotWorking vacay.

Naya Shorts Set

Source: http://www.saisankoh.com / Courtesy of Sai Sankoh

Vacation is the ultimate playtime – so exchange your go-to romper for this two piece set ($225.00, saisankoh.com). You can wear it around the pool, while traveling to that beautiful beach, or even on a boat! Dress it up with heels or keep it more casual with platform sandals.

Brazil Goddess Kaftan

Source: http://www.saisankoh.com / Courtesy of Sai Sankoh

Sai Sankoh is known for her beautiful kaftans and we can’t get over the vibrant colors in the Brazil Goddess Kaftan ($295.00, saisankoh.com). You can wear it as is for an eye-catching coverup or you can pair it with the Amazon pants ($150.00, saisankoh.com). Both the kaftan and the pants go up to a size 3XL so you can slay at any size!

Which looks are your favorite? Tell us in the comments!

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