Ball: “Nigerian Excellence” All Things Ankara Ball 2015

All Things Ankara Ball 2015 celebrated Nigeria’s 55th Independence in true regal African style. The highly anticipated first inaugural All Things Ankara Ball hit the Washington, D.C. area by storm on Saturday, October 17th, 2015. The official Nigeria Independence Ball and fully attended formal event took place at the luxurious Martin’s Caterers Camelot Embassy Ballroom in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. From dapper Ankara print suits to couture Ankara print gowns, guest dressed to the nines & perfection in their most finest, luxurious & elegant ankara print attire.

As guest filled the ballroom, they were welcomed by the Kente Brothers,

All Things Ankara Ball 2015 Kente Brothers 1
Photo by Hey Tobs Photography
All Things Ankara Ball 2015 Kente Brothers 2
Photo by Hey Tobs Photography

heard electrifying music by DJ Diddy Mula,

All Things Ankara Ball 2015 DJ Diddy
Photo by Mayowa Ojo Photography

and viewed stellar decor by A4dable Events & Erlyn Mertus Event Decorator.

All Things Ankara Ball 2015 A4dable Events & Erlyn Mertus Event Decorator
Photo by Mayowa Ojo Photography
All Things Ankara Ball 2015 A4dable Events & Erlyn Mertus Event Decorator 2
Photo by Mayowa Ojo Photography

Photographers and videographers made the guest feel like stars as they posed for pictures and talked with media correspondents for interviews. Red Carpet and event footage was captured by:  Buchi Akpati, Hey Tobs Photography, Laji Photography, Panorama Photography, Mayowa Ojo Photography, Get Boxed, All Things Ankara TV, Kedu TV and Shakara TV.

 

 

All Things Ankara Ball 2015 Red Carpet Kodak Junkie
Photo by Hey Tobs Photography

 

All Things Ankara Ball 2015 Red Carpet Couple
Photo by Panorama Photography
All Things Ankara Ball 2015 Red Carpet Uju Obianwu, Life of an Uj
Photo by Panorama Photography
All Things Ankara Ball 2015 Red Carpet Shakara TV
Photo by Panorama Photography

Next to the red carpet, LOFA Magazine took pictures of stylish guest to feature them on their Best Dressed Men and Women List .

All Things Ankara Ball 2015 Lofa Magazine Best Dressed Men
Photo by LOFA Magazine/Paul Hance
All Things Ankara Ball 2015 Lofa Magazine Best Dressed Women
Photo by LOFA Magazine/Paul Hance

Femster Images added a unique touch to the event with his slow motion video booth. At the slow motion video booth, guest had a lot of fun playing with props and dressing in light costume.

All Things Ankara Ball 2015 Femster Images Slow Motion Video Booth
Photo by Hey Tobs Photography

 

 

 Across the room, authentic Nigerian cuisine courtesy of Queen’s Way Restaurant was warming up for guest to enjoy.

As the event was underway, the song “Classic Man” started to play and the All Things Ankara Ball 2015 Ambassadors, Jidenna and Jessica Chibueze gracefully walked into the event with an immediate swamp of flashing cameras and phones.

All Things Ankara Ball 2015 Jessica and Jidenna Entrance 2
Photo by Hey Tobs Photography

Fear and Fancy (Whippa Wiley, Madam Kateri, Nana Kwabena & Fluent) followed behind them singing and dancing.

All Things Ankara Ball 2015 Fear & Fancy
Photo by Mayowa Ojo Photography

Upcoming Singer/Songwriter OWO opened up the show by gracefully singing “Arise, O Compatriots” Nigeria’s National Anthem.

All Things Ankara Ball 2015 OWO
Photo by Mayowa Ojo Photography
All Things Ankara Ball 2015 High Table Khris I. Ohwawa, Nana Kwabena, Madam Kateri, Jessica Chibueze, Jidenna, Whippa Wiley, & Fluent stand up for Nigeria's National Anthem by OWO
Photo by Hey Tobs Photography

Thereafter, University of Maryland’s Afrochique Dance Team gave the crowd a superb and entertaining performance.

All Things Ankara Ball 2015 UMD Afrochique 1
Photo by Panorama Photography
All Things Ankara Ball 2015 UMD Afrochique 2
Photo by Hey Tobs Photography

 

Michelle Nwosu, Miss Nigeria in America 2015 and Nikki Billie Jean, Founder of All Things Ankara  presented Jessica Chibueze and Jidenna with the Nigerian Renaissance Ambassador Awards.

Michelle Nwosu Miss NIgeria in America and Nikki Billie Jean Founder of All Things Ankara Nigerian Renaissance Award Presenters
Photo by Panorama Photography

In a couture, radiant, gold and Yellow Ankara print gown by Khristopher I., Jessica gracefully accepted her award, the Nigerian Renaissance Ambassador Humanitarian Award, with a motivating speech:

All Things Ankara Ball Jessica Chibueze Nigerian Renaissance Award
Photo by Mayowa Ojo Photography

“Use your talents to advance our countries. In 2011, I decided to go to Uganda to go on a mission trip, from there my life changed. Now it’s my life goal to advance Africa. Use your talents, use your smarts, use your degrees to go back and help our countries. Our parents are getting older, we are the next generation. Please let us be able to make Africa a better place by the things we can do for it…”

All Things Ankara Ball Jessica Chibueze Nigerian Renaissance Award 2
Photo by Hey Tobs Photography

In a dapper mint green suit and tie/pocket square by Asikere Afana, Jidenna accepted his award, the Nigerian Renaissance Ambassador Music Award, with a small dance and memorable speech:

All Things Ankara Ball 2015 Jidenna Nigerian Renaissance Award
Photo by Get Boxed

“Wow, I’ll tell you this is an honor. This is truly an honor. We know exactly at Fear & Fancy, what it takes to put together a ball of this caliber. Years ago when we had our first ball, it didn’t look as magnificent as this. We did our thing, it was great, it was fun. But this is really a dream for us. We feel apart of this. This is why it was important for us to be here, to see the magic that we see today…” 

All Things Ankara Ball 2015 Jidenna Nigerian Renaissance Award 2
Photo by Mayowa Ojo Photography

“The other thing he told me (Jidenna’s Dad) When I was in Nigeria, There were only two types of people: those that make things happen and those that don’t want anything to happen. But when I moved to America I saw six types of people number 1, those that make things happen, those that make damn sure things happen, number 3 those that don’t want anything to happen, then you have those that make damn sure nothing happens, but number 5 you have those that watch things happen, and finally, last but not least, number 6 those that wonder what the hell happened. He said son, make damn sure you are #1, the one that makes damn sure things happen. In honor of the Ankara Ball, you all, All Things Ankara,  are the ones that made damn sure this happened.”

All Things Ankara Ball 2015 Jidenna Nigerian Renaissance Award 3
Photo by Get Boxed

Following the Award Ceremony, LOFA Magazine and LAVIEbyCK gave out the “All Things Ankara Ball 2015 Best Dressed Award” to a man and woman at the event.

All Things ANkara Ball 2015 LOFA Magazine & LAVIEbyCK Best Dressed
Photo by Mayowa Ojo Photography

A lucky woman won the raffle and was given a free round trip ticket, Courtesy from one of the event’s sponsor, Delta Air Lines. 

All Things Ankara Ball 2015 Delta Air Lines Winner
Photo by Hey Tobs Photography

As the program came to a close, Nikki Billie Jean of All Things Ankara and Troy Massa of Leone Consulting & Marketing Group, gave a vote of thanks to attendees and everyone that made the event a true success.

All Things Ankara Ball 2015 Nikki & Troy Vote of Thanks
Photo by Hey Tobs Photography

After the vote of thanks , guest immediately rushed to the dance floor and danced the night away.

All Things Ankara Ball 2015 Guest Dancing

All Things Ankara Ball 2015 guest let loose and had fun; whilst exhibiting luxurious and formal Ankara print inspired attire.

All Things Ankara Ball 2015 Guest Dancing 2

See the full gallery of pictures from All Things Ankara Ball 2015 on the website here and the press release here.

“Come Dry.Leave Wet.”– Fear & Fancy

17 thoughts on “Ball: “Nigerian Excellence” All Things Ankara Ball 2015

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  12. Rawaa Saeed says:

    I really like one of those dresses and would like to buy it for my senior prom, I would appreciate if I could be assisted with how to purchase it.

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