Lagos Is Burning: The Category is Extravaganza!

You know we love a GOOD, themed event, and every now and then, we find a theme that we can’t get out of our heads! This Paris is Burning-themed 25th birthday party is in Lagos, Nigeria was everything and then some! Our focus today is on the theme and the costumes of the guests and the birthday girl Oyinkansola Dada shares her inspiration for the event!

Oyinkansola: I am a huge fan of ballroom culture and for my 25th I wanted to bring this to life in the most me way possible. The name Lagos is Burning came from the classic documentary about underground drag culture in New York in the 80s, Paris is Burning. I wanted to channel this energy by creating a space that felt safe and free of judgment within my own Lagos community. I came up with different categories and told people to dress in their interpretation of what it was. Categories included fearless feathers, extravaganza eleganza, wigs on wigs on wigs, and candy contour. Seeing everyone put in effort and catwalk in their clothes in the middle of the party was so emotional for me. I loved every minute of it.

Photography: Wami Aluko