ART, fashion and beauty lovers were recently treated to a birthday cocktail and grill event when A107 fashion, art and beauty galleries were unveiled to the public at a choice location on Adeola Hopewell, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The red carpet event, which has ‘Style and Sip,’ as its theme, was a watershed moment to the initiator and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Joy Smart Francis, who fused together her birthday party with the opening ceremony of the galleries.
Welcoming guests to the event, founder, Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs (A.Y.E) Organisation, Dr Summy Smart Francis, who is also the husband of the celebrant, commended them for coming to grace “one of the latest premium galleries in the city of Lagos.”
He said: “I appreciate the persuasion and creativity of the initiator to embark on the project especially in such a way that one couldn’t say no. The easiest way a woman can warm a man’s heart is through love, and the man will do what he is supposed to do. So I’m excited to see A107 fashion, art and beauty being unveiled.”
On the Christian calling of the celebrant, who anchors a series on social media called ‘Pray With Joy,’ the A.Y.E founder said, “There is no other portfolio or title you can ever get until you are called a man/woman of God or people of God. It’s the greatest protocol. So express your faith in God as we return all the glory back to God for the unveiling ceremony of the art emporium,” he advised
He noted that the life of his wife radiates to the life of many, adding that “there are people like us that what we get in life is by the grace of God because of our nature. So, I advise young people that as they plug into the creative will of God, He will always bring the support structure they need.
“For me, I have always seen her as a special gift of God in terms of project ideas for execution and not as one to toast and her lifestyle as a woman who expresses her passion for Christ. When she began her ‘Pray With Joy,’ series, it was aimed at praying for people, and honestly the fire in the prayer has caught up with me. Even though I am still struggling, I now make time to pray.”
In a brief exhortation at the occasion, Pastor Tobi Odeneye of the Elevation Church revealed that birthdays offered an opportunity to be grateful and thankful to God for miracles He has performed and successes recorded.
In a chat with newsmen, the celebrant said the combo of fashion, art and beauty was imperative to remaining stylish “because style elevates one’s confidence.”
She said: “The experience of salon services is one that helps one to elevate his/her confidence and A107 is a place where people can come, leaving stylish and whatever is bedecked will be elevated.”
She disclosed that the different aspects of what was unveiled included: “paintings of artworks that are high-end and stylish of people who have expressed their unique styles in painting, fashion and beauty as well as in the hair businesses.”
On how long it took her to plan and execute the project, Dr (Mrs) Francis, who recently received an Honorary Causa Doctorate degree in Business Development and Social Impact from the Highstone Global University, Texas, United States of America, said, “The combo of fashion, art and beauty are creative expressions that amplify my lifestyle. I love to experience life to its fullest and in its beauty.
“When one looks at someone, one should be able to tell the kind of lifestyle the person has got, so we want collectors of our art pieces and patrons of our salon and fashion services to exude a wonderful lifestyle: sophistication and excellence, we want people who understand what having a good lifestyle means to come in and pitch their tent with us.
“Fashion, art and beauty all put together are beautiful, so it is all infused in giving people a beautiful lifestyle.”
and then