BN Red Carpet Fab: Inspire Africa Benefit Concert

The recent Inspire Africa Benefit Concert for all about raising funds and awareness on the plight of homeless and exploited street children in Nigeria. We have gathered that several millions of naira was raised by the initiative and UNICEF is currently working alongside the Inspire Africa Foundation on programmes that will ensure that the plight of these children improves. Kudos to Mo Abudu, the Lagos State Government, all the people who donated and all the musicians that performed. Although the focus of the event was for the cause, Lagos’ fashionistas explored this opportunity to raise the glamour stakes and dazzle on the orange carpet.

Belle of the Ball, Mo Abudu

Mo Abudu looks effortlessly gorgeous in this red and black ensemble. The simplicity in the cut combined with a dazzling hue is easy yet incredibly striking!  What I love is, that each element within this look aligns accordingly to the reveal of the whole look; the black hair and layered beaded necklaces give this look the total ‘WOW’ factor!

The land is indeed green as these ladies chose elegant green frocks for the occasion. The floor length BCBG Max Azria gown is effortlessly graceful and shows off her svelte bod to perfection. On the other hand, Clare Omatseye‘s dress is ‘not just another strapless dress’, the unique blend of blue and green  complement each other perfectly while the soft layers add that extra bit of drama.

These ladies kept things homegrown with their chioice of ankara gowns. Ngozi Ekezie‘s look is simple and chic in her blue ankara gown, multi-strand pearl necklace with nude pumps and a Louis Vuitton Damier Bag while our other ankara clad fashionista went for a Jewel by Lisa dress with bold gold accessories.

Sequins & shimmer! These bold ladies didn’t hold back the glam factor! Designer Deola Sagoe in a knee-length black all around sequined dress while our Eno Udo shone in her mini-dress with multicoloured stripes.

Drama, drama, drama. Dramatic one-armed poof sleeved top paired with a floor length fishtail skirt. While Joan Okorodudu is another lady that never blends in with the crowd. The JD7 designer always stands out on the red carpet and true to form; in her orange creation, she did just that on the Inspire Africa Benefit Concert orange carpet.

There is something truly majestic about blue and these ladies prove that. The layered blue empire waist gown with its embellished waist and neckline is beautiful. While the several shades of iridescent blue come together to create a conservative yet graceful red (ok…orange) carpet look.

Now this is what you call Urban Chic done right. The perfect pair of jeans made glamorous with the right kind of top! Ifeoma Williams adds spark with her plunging v-neck embellished top and Sasha embracing the fierceness of the check print plays it up with ruffle details.

How does the song go again? “Swagga like us….” Eric & Jay Jay Okocha illustrate that the swag can carry the look. They both went for the casual look and they made it work. Eric looks like the naughty schoolboy in his jeans topped off with his waistcoat and tie while Jay Jay’s denim look is very well put together with his brown blazer and tan leather accessories.

Hot pink and black was certainly the colour combination of the evening. And these two ladies do it well – knee length and full length!!! They both go minimal with their accessories and allow their dresses to do most of the talking! Lanre Da Silva Ajayi’s bib dress is adorable; and Yemisi Wada‘s V-neck cut dress is most flattering for her body type!

There is something about yellow that brightens even the darkest mood! Bukky George-Taylor Williams makes exceptional use of colour with this outfit. From the blue and brown layered blend of the dress to the multi-coloured bracelet to the surprise element of the yellow bag. Spot on! The yellow dry lace single-strap gown is just fab! Grecian meets Naija.

A well cut single buttoned, long lapel suit is the right choice an elaborate event. A little more dressy than a two/three buttoned one; it always dapper and certainly does leave Timi Dakolo and Paw Paw looking sleek and pleasing to the eyes.

You can hardly ever go wrong in a shirt dress. It’s a closet must have! Shirt dresses are sharp and cutting edge. And while Rita Dominic goes all the way with its natural flair, a solid colour with a hint of safari and vaguely militant look, Gbemi Phillips does hers in a girly, romantic way with florals and velvet open-toe pumps.

Here we get to see the beauty of the asymmetric sleeve; while one lady chooses to add a dramatic detail on her shoulder and goes grey on black, Nike Animashaun goes for no shoulder details and a splash of bright orange; yet the looks are equally applauded as they both look fabulous!
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Photo Credit: Bella Naija & Purefoto