GRACE EGBAGBE, PASTOR ADEFARASIN WIN STYLE AWARDS
Ms Grace Zemaye Egbagbe, a former Executive Director of Nigerian Television Authority, (NTA) and Pastor Paul Adeolu Adefarasin emerged Allure style Icon for the year 2009. They won the awards through the nominations voted by their fans as soon as the lines were opened and both were honoured with plaques amidst popping and clinching some glasses of wine and champagne at the Atlantic Beach Centre in Victoria Island.
As the duos were being celebrated, it was discovered that Egbagbe and Adefarasin turned out to be the perfect candidate for the prestigious Icon award.
In her opening remark, Mrs. Remi Diagbare, the Editor of Allure said: 'The idea was to honour men and women who have contributed to the growth of style in the industry. Three names that were constant on the list for the women were Aisha Babangida, Nike Soleye and Grace Egbagbe'.
Egbagbe grew up travelling all over the country because of the nature of her father's job and developed strong sense of fashion and style from her father who believes in girl-child education.She attended Mary Mount College in Agbor, and the University of Ibadan. She also did a course in Radio and Television Education in London before she proceeded to University of California, Los Angeles to obtain a degree in motion picture and television production.
For the stylish Founder of House on the Rock Church, a ministry with over 40 'daughter' churches in Europe and Africa, Adefarasin emerged after a robust competition from which readers selected him out of a list of 15 outstanding stylish men. Adefarasin, an author, a social crusader and a men tee of Bishop T D. Jakes of Dallas, Texas, resided both in Nigeria and the United States of America early in life. He graduated from University of Miami with a professional Bachelors Degree in Architecture and practised briefly before he was called into the ministry.
Formerly a drug addict, Adefarasin started the Rock Foundation which collaborates with church-based social and humanitarian services to rehabilitate and empower ex-convicts, urban miscreants, prostitutes and drug addicts.
Other style icons who graced the occasion were Helen Prest Ajayi, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu, Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija and Mrs. Nkiru Anumudu. Others were Kate Hensaw-Nuttal, Sam Amuka Pemu and Gbenga Adefaye, publisher and Editor of Vanguard newspapers, respectively.
Helen Prest Ajayi, a former beauty queen, gave the style talk and described the combination of Egbagbe and Adefarasin as great style icons in their different styles and fashion. She explained that style was not about money or wealth but one's ability to create that distinctive personality that will leave a lasting impression.
Receiving their various awards, Egbagbe thanked Allure and appreciated Nigerian designers that made it possible.
A warm evening to remember, Frank Osodi of Bruono Creazioni and Monsurat Shobayo of Monash Designs used the opportunity to unveil their latest collections. Patrick Doyle was the compiere on the occasion while Light Olumide provided music.