• Celebrity
    • Of The Essence
    • Celebrity News
    • If Not For My Girls
    • The State Of R&B
    • Time Of Essence
  • Fashion
    • 2023 Best In Black Fashion Awards
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • Red Carpet
    • Fashion News
    • Accessories
  • Beauty
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • 2023 Best In Black Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Hair
  • Lifestyle
    • Love
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Bridal Bliss
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Money & Career
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Of The Essence
    • Celebrity News
    • If Not For My Girls
    • The State Of R&B
    • Time Of Essence
  • Fashion
    • 2023 Best In Black Fashion Awards
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • Red Carpet
    • Fashion News
    • Accessories
  • Beauty
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • 2023 Best In Black Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Hair
      • Hair News
      • Natural
      • Relaxed
      • Transitioning
      • Weave
      • 4C
  • Lifestyle
    • Love
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Bridal Bliss
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Money & Career
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · News

Teen Stuns in African Print Prom Dress, Proves Teacher Who Deemed the Print 'Inapproriate' Wrong

Ohio high school student Makalaya Zander's white teacher advised her that an African-print themed prom dress wasn't "appropriate" so she reached out to designer Deandre Crenshaw to create a masterpiece.
Teen Stuns in African Print Prom Dress, Proves Teacher Who Deemed the Print ‘Inapproriate’ Wrong
Instagram/ Makalaya Zanders
By Tameika Lawrence · Updated October 27, 2020

One major theme that has defined this prom season amidst the march of celebrity red carpet replica dresses has been African-inspired designs.

Balmain’s Olivier Rousteing Teams Up With Nike for Football Inspired Collection

From the Black Lives Matter movement to bullied New Jersey teen Kyemah McEntyre’s Insta-famous original prom gown design last year, this season seemed like the perfect storm for fashion’s youth trend embracing wax, ikat, and batik prints for prom.

So, when Ohio high school student Makalaya Zander’s white teacher advised her that an African-print themed prom dress wasn’t something that should be worn to prom, she couldn’t have been more out of touch.

Makalaya’s prom dress was inspired by an Ankara gown worn by Nigerian model Jessica Chibueze to a gala. And the finished product – a printed, body-skimming fishtail dress in royal blue – looked stunning.

Victoria’s Secret Discontinues Apparel, Accessories, and Swimwear Lines

Under an Instagram photo with her prom date, Makalaya detailed her exchange with the disapproving teacher, how the dress came to be, and her reaction to the final results:

Thank you to everyone who gave me kind words on my prom dress. My date doesn't have social media so he's kinda nonchalant lol. The dress came after seeing the beautiful @jessnnecee wearing one similar to a ball. After discussing how beautiful it was and that I would do a african theme with a ) teacher I was told it wasn't really "something you wear to prom" Hellbent on proving them wrong and being someone who loves our culture and African glamorous style , me and @indelible_dc decided to take the Ankara dress and put a twist on it. Little did I know it came out more beautiful, then I could've ever imagine!! My dress was to make a point. That African style is beautiful. That I am comfortable with my Melanin and roots. And finally that there's nothing like Black girl Magic❤️

A photo posted by -MK (@_blazemoney) on May 16, 2016 at 7:53am PDT

Designer @indelible_dc Hair- @thehairgroupie Makeup- @makeupwithmar

A photo posted by -MK (@_blazemoney) on May 13, 2016 at 6:16pm PDT

There are so many brave and creative young people in the world, we just wish there were as many teachers to inspire and encourage them.

Laila Ali and Shari Belafonte Dish on Their Footwear Woes

Congrats on the dress, Makalaya!

WANT MORE FROM ESSENCE? Subscribe to our daily newsletter for the latest in hair, beauty, style and celebrity news.

COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now