The awards ceremony of a public service and corporate sector focused event with awards such as Stock Offer of the Year, Transaction of the Year etc being given.
As is what seems to be a tradition, the old-school foreign superstar flown in for the event was Lionel Richie (I love him!). In past editions of the event, musical performers have included Diana Ross and Lemar.
Rather than doing the usual mass upload of photos, decided to do more of a fashion review. You can see all the other photos at purefoto
Previous coverage of ThisDay Awards
2007 Edition
Best Dressed Female
I will have to give the best dressed female award to ThisDay Style editor, Ruth Osime, her silk floor-length leopard print Zuhair Murad dress with its sequined waist band. Her dress was uber flattering, glamorous yet appropriate for the event. She accentuated the look perfectly with a simple upswept hair, chandelier earrings and bracelet. FAB! Sade Baderinwa also looks fab!
Fab Looks
Other fab looks included
Nike Olakunri – Stunning!
Nkechi Okocha – Gorgeous dress. I especially love the colour on her. Her hair looks great and what seals the fab look is her beautiful smile.
Noteworthy
Stephanie Okereke – Steph's dress was modern, with the creative use of leather, it was striking but her hair and accessories (i.e. brown pumps) kept her from the best dressed pile but she still looked great
Nike Osinowo-Soleye – I can see the look Nike was going for: The concrete rose effect - the strong silhouette of the charcoal suit paired with the softness of a pink low-cut top with the pointy black patent platform pumps. For someone as stylish as Nike, we have higher standards, it didn’t quite hit the mark but she looked good.
Best Dressed Male
It’s a tie. The old and the new.
Sunny Irabor looked distinguished in the classic tuxedo.
Eyo Effiong, our other best dressed male, looked great in a well-fitted modern grey suit. His bold belt adds a bit of flair to the look.
No, no, no, no!
Actress, Uche Iwuji got it all wrong with her figure hugging knockoff version of the Herve Leger bandage mini-dress.
As I said before, the Thisday Awards is more of a corporate and public sector event so I don’t know why Uche decided to wear this ill-fitting eyesore of a dress. Her silver pumps don’t help matters as well. Highly inappropriate and absolutely unflattering.
Catwalk Queens
Nana Otedola and Nkiru Anumudu both rocked looks from the catwalk.
Nana pictured with hubby Femi in his staple white kaftan, rocked the embellished salmon hued Matthew Williamson tunic dress. The dress is available at Net-A-Porter HERE
Nkiru pictured with hubby Willy Anumudu rocked the poet-sleeved black silk chiffon Pucci shift dress adorned with various accents. The dress is available at Neiman HERE
That’s it for now.
So what do you think?
I’ll add some hot new videos and songs later on so come back and check on it.
Ciao!
Interesting...
ReplyDeleteSassycassie
Bella, meeen, nne, this is your calling.
ReplyDeleteI tell ya.
Ain't no flatteries. (This is from the bottom of my heart.)
You just are on point with the description of the outfits, hair, make - up, accessories, what is wrong and right, you know..... com'on!
Nne. (I will use the word again like i did previously, that is, if u don't mind.) This is your calling.
Pls, keep it up!
My sincere compliments.
Bella I would have to agree with all your choices but i do think that Nike Oshinwo's outfit was not flattering at all at her age aint nothing wrong with showing skin but that top come on it was borderline cheap!!!! Also Nkirus outfit was ok even the shoes are fierce but i do not think they actually go with that outfit! I think the well dressed women had key peices but i really do think they were not well put together! I really did expect more from the Thisday Awards, fashion wise and i must say i am deeply disapointed! Also the Editor Lady her dres was nice and she looked great in it, apart from it being a tad bit last season!! But Ladies whats up with this hair up tingy when wearing this types of dress/ gowns i reall think it can make you look old and a tad bit 90s, having nice flowing hair looks more fresh modern and chic!!. Rock On Bella!!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with!!! Especially the part about Stephanie's accessories....you can wear a brown paper bag if your hair and accessories are on point....whats the point of wearing a banging dress and letting the rest fall apart?
ReplyDeleteStephanie's dress was from bebe
ReplyDeleteOHMIGOD I AM SIXTH.
ReplyDeleteI AM SIXTH.
Bella,
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to take a moment to tell you I appreciate the effort you put into your blog - the research, the photo,ur analysis.... you ve wowed me; though your updates are few and far between these days sha. More vaseline to your elbows girl.
I saw Nike's photos b4... she did not cut it at all... a satin suit, plunging neckline... aw come onnnnnnnn
As much as the clothes look great being designers and all et wag. Am not sure they are well suited to the occasion in exception of Ruth (nice dress though but with those boobies all up in your face I think was a bit too much), the lady she’s standing with, Nike oshinowo lovely suit really really loving it, shame she was trying to conceal her plunging neck inner top.
ReplyDeleteas for the rest, beautiful dresses, (excluding the terrible replica of the Herve Leger dress and Stephanie was she like an usher or something) they’re all too casual for the occasion I think…
Pls can someone tell me is Ruth’s dress from zuhair murad collection or just inspired… (Replica)...
Yeahh some were tasty others were just plain cheap. Bella keep up the good work
ReplyDeletewow, i just saw your blog today from a sturvs link on my facebook page, and i have to say again, wow, great job!
ReplyDeleteyou're really good at this, keep it up, please.
Folakemi O.
Thanks for the comments!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate the encouragement!
@Anjugrasay - yeah the dress is Zuhair Murad . I think they modified it for her a bit though, added the fabric at the bust to minimize the exposed cleavage.
All these Lebanese designers (Zuhair, Elie Saab, Joseph Chakra, Basil Soda) are killin it! Nigerian designers should take note and get inspired
its a Zuhair INSPIRED dress.
ReplyDeleteshhhh...i'm a thisday staff.
Femi Otedola's wife's dress is Gorgeous . . . . Matthew Williamson is a Genius. The detailing and embroidery work on that dress is Amazing.
ReplyDeleteThis to me was the best dress at the thisday awards 08.
oh nooooo!! why ruth...
ReplyDeletebella as for lebanese haute couture designer elie saab I could trade my first child for one of his clothes...
(plsss don't let my husband hear this and no dares because I really could do it and yes I said it)
im surprised Ruth actrually looks nice, she always manages to look terrible sometime.
ReplyDeleteI honestly I'm not impressed with any of the looks, except Ruth's and the lady in cream next to her in one of the pics. Overall, I'd have loved to see some hot styles made out of Naija/African fabrics. When our stars start wearing the latest American/Italian e.t.c. designer brands to award shows, then they stand a chance of the "Who Ran it Better" that Obsessed Hoopla, Feels Good 2 be Home & Set's blogs do so well. The end result is they generally lose. Naija Celebs, can we start seeing some fashion award winning red carpet looks w/our fabrics at these events?
ReplyDeleteNana Otedola's dress was FAB! I was at the awards and i couldn't keep my eyes off that dress. BEST DRESSED on the night for me, without a doubt. Maybe i'm biased because she appears to be stepping up her fashion game with her hubbys ultra cash.
ReplyDeleteThe other man you chose for best dressed(not Soni Irabor) is EYO EFFIONG. He's always been a hot dresser.
Chioma.
Oh I LOVE LOVE Zuhir Murad and Elie Saab!! I would honestly do ANYTHING to have one of their dresses and I mean ANYTHING!!!! And Saab's '08 spring/summer collection is OFF the chain. Had me drooling AND dreaming for days!
ReplyDeleteThem two are designing and sewing my wedding dress. I have already started saving for it...no jokes!
Im with 36 on this one, Ruth always looks tres not it, but she suprised me majorly hea, well played Ruth Osime!
ReplyDeleteI really like Nike's look, its very burberry last season, the androngenous look (abi I didnt see the pix well?) but I think she pulled it off.
Where was Funmi?No Pix?
Lol @ callin out posh wanna be, but its a realy good copy of the dress and i want it! Tru dat, it shdnt have been worn to the awards,but how she for do.
Pucci,Matt williams and tins!Yes o! Naija people know how to do it.
Nice1 bella, have u checked out gofugyourself.com?
I think Nana Otedola was the best dressed. Just stunning. Nike Oshinowo's outfit was not the business. I didn't like the cut of the suit and the plunging didn't do anything to help. Maybe she's looking to be more conservative now that she's married but still trying to preserve her sexy nevertheless. Didn't quite work. Not too sure about Nike Olakunri's bra seeping through her dress and the earrings. Nice dress though.
ReplyDeleteyes nana otedola wore the BEST DRESS but in my opinion she was not the BEST DRESSED.
ReplyDeleteLook at the whole outfit, other than the dress, hair, makeup, shoes and bag...just ok.
Ruth had the wow factor but from the rest of the photos I saw at purefoto, most people missed the boat in terms of dressing at the awards this year.
@ ladybrille:
ReplyDeletei don't think they owe any particular allegiance to nigerian designers or nigerian/african fabric...and i'm not suggesting that that's exactly what you meant. i'm just saying. nigerian designers need to work that much harder to get their dresses showcased at these events. the other brands (western) have made a name for themselves and have come to be associated with quality...and that didn't happen overnight. i rep naija DIE...but if someone elsewhere is doing something better, i'd sooner patronize them than anyone else. deola sagoe needs to be = to versace (random example) in my mind and it's up to her to get her brand to that level. this idea that we need to support supbar designers (and deola doesn't fall under this category by any means) just to get them on the map is ridiculous. plus i'm getting a little tired of 'african print', quite frankly. a little bit of variety never hurt anybody.
Bella, good job. But i totally disagree wth U. Ruth is not the best dress. I'm not feeling the dress on her.
ReplyDeleteu are right about Uche. she looks like a local champion in dat dress.
Ooh well, thks for blogging and if possible try to blog more often.
Loved it!!! U know what i loved the most ... the commentery of what was hot and not. Do it again pretty please :).
ReplyDeleteheyy I actually liked Nike Osinowo's look - a different take instead of all the ballgowny stuvvsss and it was sexy. Anyways, NIke Olakunri looked great...she's fam lol and i shd go and chk out other photos on purefoto....
ReplyDeleteYou're right, but some of these women need to find the proper undergarments so the outfit just flows flawlessly
ReplyDeleteUche Iwuji is the recycling champion!Her dress is made out of left over foil paper and Christmas present wrapping paper. She went green jare.IT'S GOOD TO RECYCLE (lol!!!!)
ReplyDeleteSorry, dont agree with the best dressed; prefer Nkechi Okocka's dress to hers...
ReplyDeleteIn my humble opinion, the lady in beige satin(next to Ruth in the first pic) is the best dressed. And Nike Oshinowo looked really classy yet sexy. Her look is so hot i'm surprised about the negative review. The Okocha lady is pretty but i'm not sure about the combo. Her knees showing and the silver shoes rub me the wrong way. sorry. Again in my opinion, Ruth is nowhere near best dressed, in fact i think she looks kinda common for lack of a better word. I guess beauty or style lies in the eye of the beholder indeed.
ReplyDeleteThe show itself was a complete disaster.It was like tejuosho market even though the decor was nice. ThisDay manages to disgrace Nigeria every year but who cares Nike Oshinowo is dressed nice... The American MC looked so perplexed.
ReplyDeleteNike oshinowo's husband doesnt look bad....
ReplyDeletei can't believe u all are yapping about who wore what or how good or bad these pple look. Who cares. Pls talk about something more productive like how do we make naija better.
ReplyDeleteruth osime's cleavage na real wa...it looked like her breasts were gonna strangle her!
ReplyDeleteBella, u've come again with a post you can't handle. by the time people will start commenting left, right, and center, we will find you retracting some of the things you said about the people that did not make your best dressed list or deleting people's comments. abi, i lie? u don't do well with posts like this because it's quite obvious you care TOO much about how other people view you.
ReplyDeleteruth's dress is very nice but her boobs cheapen the entire look. quite disappointing because there was a way to wear the dress without her boobies being all up in your face. not a good look even from the sides of the dress.
ReplyDeleteI aint no fashion guru..but damn, these women should wear clothes that suit them..it's so appalling, look at the last lady and the contrast with the model wearing the dress. It's so clear that lady and most of the ladies there make it look all wrong.
ReplyDelete@ANJUGRASAY............DON'T BE SAYING STUPID STUFF TO GAIN WORTHLESS ATTENTION ON BELLANAIJA'S BLOG........STUPID
ReplyDeleteanjugrasay said...
"bella as for lebanese haute couture designer elie saab I could trade my first child for one of his clothes"
Don't
Lmaooo @ U pointing out the Herve Ledge.
ReplyDeleteOh Gosh Bella!
@tee: did you read my comment? Support subpar gini? I don't do subpar and I am not one of those afraid to voice an opinion as to whether I feel a design is strong/not. You might want to revisit my comment and my site, b/4u make such conclusions, especially the Fashion Police sections.
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed, Naija celebs do not owe an allegiance to African prints/designers. But, frankly, if these celebs are going to wear so called "designer" clothes on so called red carpet events then they ought to get it right!
After an award show, whether SA, USA or what have you, blogsville, TVs, media e.t.c. perambulate pretty strong images of their celebs looking hot and it gets folks running to comp the style. On our side, not the case, not because we don't want to but we do not have quality images of our celebs to showoff and help influence trends. After a while,even saying an outfit sucks is lots of work, especially since it is the norm.
I can't tell you how many times I have searched high and low for beautiful red carpet looks, even contacting Naija photographers all the way from the USA b/c I wanted quality red carpet looks to weave with stories I was working on that put Naija celebs on the map in respectable fashion publications in the USA. It's MAD challenging and I have generally had to abandon such stories!
As Bella points out in her post and as one BellaNaija reader said, there were way too much misses in the THISDAY awards; and sadly it is on the regular, all in the name of wearing designer.
I hear you on getting tired of the "African prints"-- which by the way is not necessarily defined by just "ethnic" fabric-whatever that means. A lot of so called "ethnic" prints are actually made in Europe. I know b/c these companies contact me all the time.
Frankly like you, I am tired. Only, my tiredness is to the point of exhaustion with what I perceive as a major pledge of allegiance to the American/Italian/Parisian et al designer brands, by force by force by Naija celebs. This has been going on 4 as long as I can remember- Naija in the'80s n all.
It makes no sense that we continue to consume at an alarming rate Western apparrel, making mucho dinero for them while our industry with excellent designers,some of whom Bella has featured, have to work hard to win us over.
Again, if you are a celeb and you are going to wear Dolce et Gabanna and all,get it right. Otherwise,don't go there! Nike Osinowo, Kemi Adetiba and Omowunmi are some of the few Naija celebs I notice seem to get it right consistently. Omotola too. She has stepped up her game.
@anon 2.32pm
ReplyDeleteoh bite me!!!!
no one is trying to get any attention just making a comment on how passionate I feel about a designer
if you can't read btw the lines do us all a favour and go lock yourself up in your mary amaka infested wardrobe
oh by the way did I say..yeah I think I did
BITE ME!!!!!
@ANON WHO ATTACKED ANJUGRASAY..GEEZ..get a life or jump off a cliff(need a foot??)i'll gladly help to see sour-grapes like you off the earths surface.
ReplyDeletei don't even know what to say..damn..some people need to beg borrow or steal a sense of humor.
because your own sense of humor might be..."oh brother titus we sang hymns in church today and sister felicias scarf fell off her head" ,
does not mean that anybody else with a slightly twisted take on humor is stupid.STUPID..
a pissed off bellanaijarian
Well done...I think Ruth Osime deserved the best dressed award...the dress looks gorgeous
ReplyDeletepls dont turn this blog into a war zone...lol
ReplyDeletesome people are just cyber bullies...that is all!intimidating people on their blogs!okay so anonymous...so what if she retracts her stories for the sake of peace..!so what is she doesnt!this is not her full time job, she isnt paid for it for pete sake!it is her blog she can do whatever she wants with it!!!and whats with calling her out and saying "the little girl from A-hall"...what does that have to do with anything!you are just what they call cyber bullies!!!!!!!use ur real blog name to post comments stop using anonymous!
ReplyDeletethis is pink-satin still speaking!..got carried away by anonymous let me comment on the outfits....i liked Nana Otedola....didn't feel that Posh dress that chic was wearing...didnt feel ruth or nike at all....but to each his own jare!and still on anonymous 2:38am...you are daring her to post your comment!SERIOUSLY!!!oya me i dare you to post with ur blog name and even your real name...now we know what your problem is..okay you are jealous of bella abi because she has a good job that lets her travel all over...ndo.pele o! maybe if you got rid on your wickedness God will smile on u too and butter ur life with a manageable job!
ReplyDelete@Bellahatesthetruth
ReplyDeleteYou are TRULY SICK IN THE HEAD.
how can you come on someones blog and DARE HER,on HER OWN GADDEM BLOG,to POST some FUCKERY ASS thing you you might have sent to her.
AHN AHN?is this a joke?bella you have patience for some things sha.
WHAT DID YOU GAIN FROM CLAIMING THAT SHE IS AN EX HALL KID?OR WHATEVER THE HELL THAT IS?
HOW DOES THAT AFFECT THE PRICE OF FISH IN YOUR MARKET?
WERE YOU DENIED ATTENTION AS A CHILD?DID YOUR MAMA NOT BREASTFEED YOU OR SOMETHING?I DONT GET IT?
and to think if anyone had seen you typing away,they would have assumed you were getting up to some good.
okay,bella is a kid right?we hear you,we like OUR KID just the way she is.
so carry your bicycle comot we no wan play with you again.agaracha winch wey dey jealous person wey dey progress in life.isshhhh.
please let us not get things twisted.there is cyber-bullying.
AND THERE IS STRAIGHT OUT OF THE PSYCHO-BOOKS MENTAL INSTABILITY.
I BEG TO PLEAD THE LATTER ON BEHALF OF THIS FRUIT-LOOP.
Excessive Diva
although Nana and nkiru's dresses are very expensive but they were not faltering at all especially that of nana... that outfit would have fitted a slimmer person and for their ages I didn't find it appropriate for that occasion......it's not how expensive a dress is but what fits you
ReplyDeletewendu
Some people have WAYYYYYY too much time on their hands ohh. So it is now time to insult Bella becos she did not post ur comment abi?. Chie Bella u r the one dat caused this ohh, becos u r even posting her comment..... DON'T POST CRAP HONEY.. IF U DON'T WANT TO!. Its ur flipping blog and u do wat u want with it!. With the kinda of twisted naija girls we have walking around pretending to be normal, u will get alot of this BS. Me i don't have the patience for this crap.... i am irritated on ur behalf!. NA WA OHHHH...... RETARDS ARE PLENTY ON THIS BLOG SHA!. But keep ur head up mami.... if they don't talk about u or ur blog, then u r not important!
ReplyDeleteJESUS-HOLY-CHRIST!!!
ReplyDeleteNa wah oh....babes, lets all take a deep breath, breathe in, breathe out, NAMASTE. no need for this commotion. life is too young to frown (cos ull get wrinkles n all), let's smile.
ReplyDelete@ bellahates the truth or whatever you are just a fucking sicko!pinksatin you have voiced out my opinion on the jealous mother fucker!!!!retarded idiot..se you have gained abi!!you dare her to post your comment ko!!idiot as Pinksatin said me too i dare you to post your real name!
ReplyDeletebella,
ReplyDeletegreat job ,u never cease to amaze me ooo,keep us posted
http://cremesturvs.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteEveryone looked okay and bad. Nothing above the average bar...
ReplyDeleteBella I love your blog- forget the haters- YOU CONSISTENTLY get it right and thats why we keep coming. If the african designers were consistent then maybe we'd support them more. Consistent with a siganture/stamp, and also consistent with FINISHING! All of them even Deolas finishing is not up to par, the designs are great but PLZ the finishing is really important if u want to compete on an internatiional market
ReplyDeleteI LOVE LOVE the fashion review- us should do more of those!
As for Ladybrille and her over zealous commentary on everything - take am easy o! Its just fashion not a lecture.. LOL
LOVE U BELLIZTO
Okay.,...I actually dont like Ruth's dress but that might have to do with being so conservative, i am almost boring....Nkechi Okocha looks pretty in purple and I see what Nike was trying to do and i like the starkness of the pantsuit but nothing else...Nana Otedola is always classy and Nkiru's shoes i dont like
ReplyDeleteA fun time had by all..Hear Lionel's performance was hot
Bellanaija fans unite!! *lol*
ReplyDeleteTruthHurts abi whatever your name is nto gi...lol!
Ladybrille, methinks that naija designers should make their clothes more accessible, we don't need naija celebs to rock them before we do. How many times have we been to a naija fashion designer's website and could not find ordering information, or better still only available in S.A?
luv ur highlight on d award show..
ReplyDeleteapart from best dressed awards..who won wot?..just curious
nice job tho
visit our blog too
biroandpencil.blogspot.com
Please whoever left the negative comment should respect theirself.
ReplyDeleteIts never that deep.
If you give her something to post and feature on here...and she doesnt, then its her choice.
How much did you pay?
Abeg.
Bobby Taylor.
hey all. Check out my blog- www.truthbetoldbyamum.blogspot.com
ReplyDeletecheers
mum
Dear Bella,
ReplyDeleteI hope u understand that you are successful when you can evoke such passion from your readers.
Nigerian journalists (they know themselves) are now plagiarizing your blog so it follows that many of them will come here to bad bele.
Dare I say it again, your blog is world class and I wish THISDAY awards would get 2% of your class and style. We would all be the better for it.
i luv mrs otedola's dress, really suits her skin tone. earrings were really nice 2. dere's a pic in city people of a white lady with cute brown/orange short dress. anyone know who she is or who designer is? might be a tiffany amber?
ReplyDeleteNa wao for Nigerians...sho...imagine all those beautifully expensive dresses that Mrs Otedola and Nkiru wore!!!! 9ja has absolutely evolved.
ReplyDeleteThe best dressed woman is the woman in the cream and lace outfit in the first photo.... the one with Ruth Osime...... the rest all fail to wow!
ReplyDeleteWhile the two wives of the big men ( Nana and Nkiru) may be wearing expensive designer dresses, they don't look like anything on them. Nana has a top heavy boxy body.... dress doesn't look good on her, and the shoes are off.
Nkiru is too big to do that dress any justice... that dress looks best on the thin/slim body..... and her soes in one word, Yuck!
Nana Otedola dress at over $1 000 and its on half price sale ... wow.. The way we Nigerians spend money is mad... Its only a dress for heaven's sake...
ReplyDeleteeveryone is talking about Ruth's dress, did you see that of the city people deputy editor .....my God what was she thinking with those legs....totally not stylish
ReplyDeletewho says we are tired of prints did you see what -moriam one of the style reporters of city people wore? it was made by Mudi -awesome ,and she carried it pretty well ....thumbs up ..moriam we are seeing you o
ReplyDeleteRuth Osime looks like a giant zoo animal in that dress...lol. And her boobs..are they real? We all know the dress is a replica!
ReplyDeleteTHISDAY doesn't pay its staff very well, if it pays them at all so affording the real thing is out of the question. Most of the girls at THISDAY STYLE have alternative jobs with the boss...hehe, Ruth Osime being the chief mistress.
Bella, you normally do a good job, but don't be afraid to critique the critics. We know you don't want to end up on the bad side of Ruth Osime, she is quite viscious and can spin a story or two about you at the paper but listing her as best dressed is really pushing it don't you think?