Celebrating Nigerian Fashion Pioneer & Philanthropist Folurunsho Alakija at 60!

As we make strides towards the future of Nigerian fashion, it is very important for us to celebrate the pioneers. A few weeks ago, Folurunsho Alakija, one of the foremost pioneers of Nigerian fashion celebrated her 60th birthday, 35th wedding anniversary and the launch of two published books.

In 1986, Folurunsho Alakija founded her couture label, Supreme Stitches, for over 15 years, the label creatively explored the use of local fabrics including aso-oke and ankara alongside foreign fabrics – chiffon, taffeta and silk. As the long-serving President of the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN) for over six years, she worked tirelessly to educate and encourage the new generation of Nigerian fashion designers. Through the Rose of Sharon Foundation, she has changed the lives of numerous widows and orphans through their various charity initiatives, scholarships and empowerment programmes. To find out more on the foundation, visit their blog – http://roseofsharonfoundation.wordpress.com/

As she celebrated her 60th birthday and she and her husband, Modupe Alakija marked their 35th wedding anniversary, Folorunsho Alakija penned and published two books. Both books were officially launched on the 13th of July 2011 at the Civic Centre in Lagos – the books are an autobiography and a relationship guide titled “University of Marriage“. During a recent interview with Next Newspaper, she shared her motivation for writing both books -

“The marriage book and the autobiography were not borne out of my deliberate attempts to write, but out of God’s plans for my destiny. When I started writing, God gave me grace. I got into the flow and it was relatively easy; for the marriage book, I have had case studies from the many years of counselling which guided me to get a good grip of writing alongside with the wisdom of God. The autobiography is not just an autobiography of my life. It is a book that has been written in such a way that at the end of every chapter, there are lessons to be learnt and scriptures to be memorized. The books have been launched and all the proceeds go to Rose of Sharon Foundation.“

Here are photos from Folorunsho Alakija’s 60th Birthday and 35th wedding anniversary celebration events. After the church thanksgiving service at the Cathedral Church Of Christ, Marina Lagos, the event transitioned to the birthday celebration at the Eko Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos. Red was the colour of the day and the vibrant hue shone all around as Mrs. Alakija celebrated this landmark occasion surrounded by her family (including her cute granddaughter – Miss Femi Alakija who also celebrated her 3rd birthday). The guest list for the event included Dr. Doyin Abiola, Abba Folawiyo, Justice & Dupe Oguntade, Eyimofe & Dorothy Atake, Edward & Abike Erewa, First Lady of Lagos State – Abimbola Fashola, Duputy Governor of Lagos State, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Ladi & Banke Balogun, Gboyega & Emma Balogun, Senator Remi Tinubu, Dr. Alex Ekwueme and many other friends and well-wishers. The event was coordinated and decorated by Elizabeth R.

The Church Service

Guests at the Event

The Party

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