By Morenike Taire

It is interesting how the age old saying, One man’s meat is another man’s poison, keeps rearing its sometimes not-so-appealing head in our socio-political life. And with pastor-owned private jets jostling for room in our airspace and the longsuffering churchgoer and scorner alike expressing their displeasure and sometimes intense jealousy, there is a tendency now to pounce like vultures upon any opportunity to discredit churches, pastors and organised religion.

It does not get more organised than the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, known simply as Deeper Life in common parlance. The sect, which is better known as the one whose women wear neither earrings nor makeup and who look disgustedly at other women if they so much as wear trousers or shorts. Only those that are close know they run good schools, businesses and arrange a mean orchestra.

John and Love Kumuyi

Of course it is common knowledge that the sect’s headquarters, based in its Gbagada Lagos premises, promises to be the winner by a long mile in the clash of the big church titans with ‘church’ referring, of course, to buildings. Still Deeper Life is as prudish as ever, judging by the massive controversy that has trailed the wedding outfit of the wife of John, the son of its general overseer, William Kumuyi.

The condemnation of the church’s stance by the general public has been unanimous and overwhelming; and has by no means been restricted to the layman class. Opinionated Pastor Tunde Bakare, who was a member of the sect for five years, has spoken against the suspension handed out to John and Love Kumuyi, over the wedding attire the bride wore.

“I personally did not see what they have done wrong. A man is entitled to his own authority in his own home.1st Peter Chapter 3. A wife should dress to please the husband and not the members of the church or public. It’s sheer wickedness to the couple, they should leave them to enjoy their honeymoon.”

“They should not squeeze them to the modus operandi of a particular organisation. I did not see anything wrong in the wedding. The bride was not naked or dressed inappropriately and the groom didn’t. Esther the queen was beautifully dressed in the bible to gain the king’s attention. They should not make mountain out of a molehill.”

But this whole affair goes way beyond our newfound obsession with other people’s clothes, and the scarcity/lack of them. It is about the rule of law, and the propensity of the new Nigerian church to flout law and order within itself, as well as in the larger society. Under normal circumstances, there is a different rule for the leadership of the church; another with the rest of it.

Okay, maybe they are a bit too fraught with overkill, but Deeper Life has become that bright shiny example of sticking closely to its own rules, and being true to the all but forgotten saying: charity begins at home.

Enduring trends

They are not exactly classics, but they might as well. Be. These trends have stuck around for so long that you can take a chance and treat them like classics. In short, if one of these is not in your wardrobe, you don’t have a wardrobe

Cropped pants

They first appeared in the 50s and 60s and tagged three-quarters, as a brave variant to the traditional ankle-length trousers. Ending mid way between the knees and the ankles, the three-quarter length trousers (now better known as ‘cropped pants’), swing comfortably between the smart and the casual. In more recent times they have appeared in designer suits, making them even smarter and more trendy.

Metallic Eyes

Once upon a time metallic eyeshadow had been the preserve Saturday nights, night clubs and shows but not anymore. Bold bronzes and glowing golds go as well with glittery lycra as with severe suits and these days, nobody thinks they are out of line in any situation. Trick is to leave the rest of the face plain and go easy on the jewellery.

Ballet flats

It’s difficult to believe they became all the rage just a few years ago, but it is the unlucky wardrobe that does not have a pair these days. They are cute, they are adventurous, they are flexible and they are the ultimate proof of a confident woman.

Gladiator Sandals

They have come and gone so often, but it’s clear they’ve now come to stay and the most obvious reason for this is that they are so solid and so comfortable. These sandals go particularly well with the flowy skirts and dresses.

The Wrap dress

It should have been a classic ages ago, but the little black dress always stole the thunder. Yet the wrap dress it is that suits every figure and delivers effortless chic for office, weekend and evening.