Two words that always pop up in the fashion lexicon are the words, fashion itself and then style. Over the years, both words are often used interchangeable as if they mean the same thing. However, between fashion and style is a very thin line but a very distinct one that people sometimes don’t notice. While fashion may be more easier to define, style is a little bit more elusive and nutty. Defining this nutty issue was precisely the task put before former Miss Nigeria and style consultant, Mrs Helen Ajayi who was guest speaker at the Allure Style Icons night which took place last weekend at the prestigious, Atlantic Beach Centre, Victoria Island in Lagos. The event put together by Allure Vanguard was in honour of Pastor Paul Adefarasin and Ms Grace Egbagbe who both emerged winners of the Style Icon search 2009.

Speaking at the event that brought together style personalities from all walks of life, Mrs Ajayi defining what style is, borrowed from Diane Williams, editor of Vogue magazine, who defined style as “Refusal”. According to her, style could be “refusal to give in, refusal to give up and refusal to give out”.

She said, style is about having a point of view and having that view recognized. Such a view she noted could be in the whole way people do things or in the way they conduct themselves, their affairs or even their fashion. She added that style is more than fashion and has nothing to do with wealth. Citing Pastor Adefarasin as an example, she said the senior pastor of the House on the Rock Church, has changed and made people want to go to church or take a second look at religion because of his style of operations. She observed that while style may not necessarily mean fashion, she however pointed out that “you cannot be stylish without being fashionable”. In her opinion, fashion directs the world and moves the human race forward and dictates how we behave. She concluded by adding that because those who set the pace in fashion open a vista for others to follow, “fashion is not frivolous, it is serious”.