•How Many Celebrity Women Made Style Statements
It was an afternoon of fun when Lagos society woman, the Iyalode of Itori land celebrated her 65th birthday in Lagos. The classy party took place at one of the top lounges in Lekki phase 1, the HOV lounge. Dignitaries and important personalities from all walks of life graced the occasion which was just for the selected few friends and family. City People Society Editor, TAYO OYEDIJI was at the party.
THE CELEBRANT SHADE BALOGUN STOLE HER OWN SHOW
Attaining the age of 65 for Barrister Shade Balogun is such a feat which she feels good about. At 65, she has aged gracefully and above all, she has fulfilled her many dreams, she has been an inspiring icon to women folk and she has served her nation with all diligence, determination and a “CAN DO” spirit especially for her state. The woman who has depth and plenty of essences is a woman of substance and calibre. She is indeed in a good place at age 65. She looks good, she is fit, dresses well and looks very elegant. She is a role model to many and according to her’’ As a role model, I tend to favour styles that flatter the female figure while at the same time maintaining the dignity of womanhood”. She is a society woman to the core as her calendar is always full of events. Many love to see her at their events, and no wonder her birthday party was regarded by many as a payback time. She looked good for her day with the choice of 2 of her dresses, 24kt gold jewellery embellished with corals and matching designer shoes and bags. She simply stole her own show as no style matched hers.
ABOUT THE WAVE-MAKING VENUE, HOV
The venue of the event was her son’s restaurant, HOV lounge,, a lovely lounge beautifully built and furnished which befits the status of her son as one of Lagos big boys. The lounge was set up in a banquet setting where all decorations were simply white and gold colours with a touch of green. The event started with a green carpet where guests took out time to take pictures with paparazzi. Yes, it is 4 years and the HOV lounge has gained major prominence within the beach club business in Lagos. The lovely ambience of the newly opened lounge was out of this world and guests were treated to much fun. HOV lounge also has a beach centre where guests can enjoy a boat ride from the jetty, have nice delicacies of foods, good music, exotic drinks and all in a relaxed atmosphere
It was a 4-course menu where guests had sumptuous delicacies to water down their appetites, also choice cognac and champagne were provided for guests. This lounge is owned by the celebrant’s son, Kayode Dokun Ogunlesi.
BEHOLD THE MATRIACHS, HAJIA ABBA FOLAWIYO, IRETI ASEMOTA, TINUKE ABIORO, MRS AISIEN ETC
At the event were many friends of the celebrant, older and younger, who have been her friends for several decades. One thing you will notice at the party is that her friends at the party were not just fair-weather friends but her real friends who believe in her dreams and her aspiration and this was what was evident at the party as it was attended by her real close friends. They rallied round her and praised her for all her efforts as she remains one of the focused and tenacious women they know. Some have been her friends for over 30 and 40 years and they are still rock solid.
Sighted at the classy party were retinue of stylish celeb women, who all came to celebrate with her. Give it to these women, they all dazzled in their lovely outfits. The dress code for the party was glamourous and many of them did not disappoint with their choice of outfits. They looked their best and strutted the green carpet with their nice dresses. They simply made style statements at the party. At the party Hajia Abba Folawiyo, Yewande Onileere, Chief Mrs Ireti Asemota, Mrs Edgar, Lara Alakija, Chief Mrs Shade Olatilo, Princess Vicky Haastrup, Chief Mrs Abioro, Chief MRS Lanre Otiti, popular jewellery merchant, Chief Mrs Aisien, she is one woman most celebs patronise for coral jewellery. Mrs Folake Seriki, Mrs Stella Umuarhumi, Mrs Bisi Abraham, Dr Risi Alaka and many others.
DO YOU KNOW BARR. SHADE BALOGUN IS A LOVER OF HER FRIENDS?
It will interest you to know that Barr. Shade Balogun is a woman of many parts. The event was where she let her hair down and showed the other interesting part of her. She is one woman who has many friends of different ages. She gathers both the young and old together at her parties and why do they also turn up anytime she calls? Because she honours them too in anything they do. She is one woman who has kept many friendships for several years and this party was no exception as they surrounded her to celebrate her birthday.
CHIEF GBENGA OBASA LED OTHERS TO THE BIG MEN TABLE
Chief Gbenga Obasa is not new on the party scene. There is practically no A list party that he is not present. He has a large entourage of big men who are his friends and he is mostly seen with Eleganza Chairman, Chief Rasak Okoya. He honoured Shade Balogun and moved in numbers with his powerful group of friends. On this big men table were men of timber and caliber.No party is complete without some of them. They attend A.list parties in town. Some of these men came out to honour the celebrant, Amongst them were Lagos businessman, Chief Obasa, the grandmaster compere of A.list events in Nigeria and chairman of BOS show, Prince Bisi Olatilo, Chairman of Ineh mic motors, Chief Mike Inegbese, Prince Williams Sir. K Oshinusi, Otunba Gboyega Odunuga, Prince Jare Olateru Olagbegi, Mr Kayode Lawal, Mr Segun Afadama, Mr Tunde Dabiri, Prof. Bayo Williams, Hon. Olayiwola-Olawale, Chief Segun Dacosta, Chief Abayomi & CPS Leke Smith, Dr Mike Adeleye, Dr Owolabi Shitta. and others
PRINCESS VICKY HASSTRUP’S PIVOTAL ROLE
One woman who was up and doing making sure the celebrant had a good time is Princess Vicky Haastrup. She is a top Lagos society woman who calls the shot among the rich. She is very down to earth and makes a jolly good fellow at any event you sight her. She looked so much younger than her real age at the event rocking a simple outfit with her signature hair. She was on top of affairs at her friend’s party.
ALL HAIL IBADAN WOMEN LEADER, LANRE OTITI
She truly lived up to her Alias. Popularly called Alapa Dollar, Chief Mrs Lanre Otiti showed the stuff she is made of at the party. She sprayed in dollars endlessly for the celebrant and also shared some goodies as well. She has been the celebrant’s friend for many years and no wonder she cancelled her major vacation trip abroad to honour her friend. She was really the hype woman for that night who gingered many guests to join her on stage.
WHAT ABOUT CHIEF MRS LARA ALAKIJA?
Very calm and unassuming woman of style, Chief Mrs Lara Alakija, no doubt is a beautiful woman, she loves to support her friend and many times without number she has always been a feature at A.class parties. One thing you can not take away from her is her modest but expensive dressing. She looked beautiful in a gold tulle lace.
WHY SEN. ITA GIWA MISSED THE PARTY
Many would have expected that such an event like this, Sen. Ita Giwa’s presence should not be missed, but she couldn’t make it to the party as she is said to be on an assignment trip with the Presidency. She is also one of the older and close friends of Barr. Shade Balogun.
CHIEF MRS YEWANDE ONILEERE SPOTS NEW HAIRSTYLE
Have you seen one of the grand matriarch’s of Nigeria society, Chief Mrs Yewande Onileere lately? Let us tell you that she is not only looking less her age, but she has also changed pretty well with her glowing skin and spotting a new hairstyle. She is now seen wearing blonde hair which really suits her face.
SIR K OSHINUSI AND WIFE, DURO SPOTTED
One of the grand couples who attend A.list events is the duo of popular socialite and moneybag, Sir K Oshinusi and his pretty wife, Duro Oshinusi. The couple also had a great time at the party and many guests did not hesitate to exchange pleasantries with them.
DOKUN- THE CELEBRANTS MOST BELOVED SON
Any mother would wish for a son like Dokun because of the way he treats his mum. Dokun being the only child made sure his mum had a good party. He made sure everything was in excess and luxury things were not lacking in the party. He spoke glowingly about his mum, how he truly cherishes her, the business trait he took from her and in all, her humble nature. One defining moment was when he promised his mum that whatever she needs, he will provide and guests gave him a standing ovation.
WHO THE CELEBRANT IS, FROM CLOSE FRIENDS
Some of the guests took their time out to celebrate the celebrant, they all had good things to say about her. One common attribute from all the glowing tributes was generosity. Two people who have been her friend for over 40 years, Vivian Ajibola and Mrs Bose Davies also spoke glowingly about the celebrant. These 2 looked beautiful in their outfits.
FMR OGUN SPEAKER TITI OSENI’S GLOW
The former first female speaker in Ogun State, Hon Titi Oseni was at the party and she looked beautiful. She has this glow that endears her to many people. She is also one woman who loves to celebrate with her close friends. She was there without her husband, Wale Gomez who runs a thriving business in Nigeria and in the UK. She was one of the early callers at the party and spent an amazing time with her friend, Barrister Shade Balogun.
WHY BARR. SHADE BALOGUN LOVES GREEN COLOUR
Do we need to tell you that the celebrant, Iyalode of Itori land is stylish? She is one of the style matriarchs of our time. She stormed her birthday party in a green embroidered dress, which did justice to her lovely figure and also showed off her beautiful glowing skin. She matched it up with a beautiful designer, all- stoned green shoes and purse. She looked effortlessly pretty and younger than her age. If you are familiar with her dress sense, you will notice, she is a green colour addict and she does not have apologies for it, except she is wearing Aso Ebi. It is only a grounded fashionable person who can pull well a green monotone outfit and still be on point. The significance of red is synonymous with her nature. It stands for growth, balance and renewal, a colour of spring and rebirth, harmony, wealth, success and more. These are many of her attributes. It was, indeed, her day and she showed the stuff she is made of as the lady of many parts, highly loved and cherished by friends, family members and business associates. She was everyone’s delight at the birthday dinner. She was the cynosure of all eyes as all guests kept staring at her ageless beauty.
PRINCE BISI OLATILO COORDINATED CAKE CUTTING
To coordinate the cutting of the cake was Prince Bisi Olatilo who invited many of the important personalities to join the celebrant at the cake stand. They all later took pictures with the celebrant.
CHIEF MRS SHADE OKOYA HONOURED SHADE BALOGUN
Chief Mrs Shade Okoya, the pretty wife of Eleganza boss, Alhaji Rasak Okoya was not physically present but she honoured the celebrant by distributing some of the Eleganza products at the party. She is one person who has an ally in the celebrant and no wonder, she readily supports her.
STAR MUSICIAN, TENI ENTERTAINER’S MUM WAS THERE
At the party was also Mrs Apata, the pretty wife of late General Apata who owns Apata group of schools. She is also the mother of the latest sensational female music act, Teni Apata popularly called Teni Entertainer. She looked beautiful in her embellished Ankara outfit
4 OF GOV. SANWOOLU OLU’S CABINET MEMBERS STORMED THE PARTY
At this party were 4 powerful people from Governor Sanwoolu’s cabinet. They have been friends with the celebrant for many years. At the event was Dr Wale Ahmed, one of the outstanding and long-standing commissioners in Lagos. He was the commissioner for special duties and APC state secretary and now he is the commissioner for local government and Community Affairs. Also is the Special Adviser to Gov. Sanwoolu on Civic Engagement, Remi Adebowale. Not forgetting Gov. Sanwoolu’s Chief Security Officer, Leke Smith, they all had a good time.
CELEBRITY WOMEN SPOTTED
Some of the allies of the celebrant who are top society women were there. They all looked beautiful in their choice of outfits. On this list is Princess Abba Folawiyo, Mrs Yewande Onileere, Mrs Ireti Asemota, Mrs Edgal, Mrs Duro Oshinusi, Hon. Titi Oseni Gomez, Princess Vicky Haastrup, Yeye Oriade Atinuke Abioro, Mrs Abumere, Mrs Funmilayo Daramola, Bere Mopelola Adefuye, Yemisi Ogundele, Mrs Bisi Abraham, Dr Risi Alaka and many others. There were also Jibola Balogun. Mrs Stella Umuarhumi, Mrs Shosanya, top jewellery merchant, Lady EmmanuelAisien and others
ROSEBERYL EVENT WAS IN CHARGE OF PLANNING
Bringing the event to life was the responsibility of one of the wave-making event planning companies in Lagos, Roseberylevents. They made sure the event was hitch-free. Knowing full well the calibre of guests that will be at the event and their high expectations in terms of the event oozing quality and impeccable organisation, they had their job well cut out for them. And Roseberylevents did not disappoint. They handled the planning to execution and proper coordination of the event beautifully well like the professionals that they are.
WHO DID WHAT
Those who made the event happen were lists of professional vendors. KFA events was in charge of decoration, Malas Foods and HOV lounge were in charge of food. HOV lounge also took care of the drinks, Saheeto was in charge of small chops, Roseberyl events was the event planner, Beeleemah cakes was in charge of the cake, aka Music group was on the bandstand, DJ Ibeats on the wheels of steel while MC Pluto compered. City People Magazine and Bisi Olatilo Show were in charge of the media.
-TAYO OYEDIJI
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