Last night, Bolanle Austen-Peter’s new flick, ‘The Bling Lagosians‘ premiered at an ultra glamorous event in Lagos themed “Eko For Show”. For one, I was extremely relieved and thankful that it wasn’t another “foreign” theme (Rest in peace, Great Gatsby 🙏🏾). We are such a flamboyant and stylish people with a very rich cultural heritage, and it’s time we tapped into and shone the spotlight on the overflowing well of our culture ourselves without waiting for Marvel or some overzealous white photographer to celebrate a watered down and fictionalised version of it.
So Eko For Show. When I think Eko For Show, I think the very rich Island women dressed to the teeth in the most expensive asooke and gold accessories that money can buy; I think a larger than life Alhaja who has a fabric shop in Balogun Market and loves to dress up for the fun of it; I think flamboyant geles, piles and piles of gold necklaces and perhaps a gold tooth to match.
This is why Daala Oruwari was for me, hands down the best dressed guest at the premiere last night. The TV girl nailed the theme to a T in her asooke ensemble, matching head wrap, and perfect accessories.
Everything down to the tinted vintage sun glasses was well thought out and perfectly executed. She also came with the attitude to match! This for me is what Eko for Show throughly is. It’s no wonder she and her stylist walked away with the 500,000 Naira cash price for the Best Dressed of the night. Totally deserving!
Next up on my list is Beverly Naya who looked drop-dead gorgeous and regal in a perfectly constructed outfit by Weiz Dhurm Franklyn.
She paired the structured green number with a statement purple gele that was as contrasting as it was perfect for the outfit. Love, love, love all of it!
I love it when Over The Top is done right, and this right here is it. Anto Lecky totally stole my heart in this Bibi Lawrence dress which screamed drama without being garish. The gold hairpiece and matching gold earrings proved to be exactly what the glamorously showy look needed to be complete.
Michelle Dede was self-styled in an Ejiro Amos Tafiri masterpiece. Her befringed fascinator and gold box purse were the perfect accessories
Tolu Bally was the quintessential Sisi Eko in a blinged-out maxi skirt which flattered her curves. She paired it with a mono strap print top. Maybe it would have been just another red carpet outfit if not for the quirky headgear and vintage sunnies, but she knew to add them and that for me was the clincher.
