MULTIPLE INTERNATIONAL AWARD WINNING CERTIFIED BALLOON ARTIST, TOPE ABULUDE STORMS NIGERIA FOR FLARE - SPECIAL EVENTS FAIR 6TH-8TH APRIL 2011

Architect and Multiple Award Winning Certified
 Balloon Artist,Mr Tope Abulude

You’ve certainly heard that American celebrity event designer, Preston Bailey will be in Lagos  for ‘FLARE’, The Special Events’ Fair holding at the Eko hotel & Suites, Lagos, from the 6^th-8^th of April, 2011. Yes the one and same Preston Bailey that designed Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas'  as well as Donald and Melania Trumps Wedding Decor. He has been on the Oprah Winfrey Show showcasing his work and has created some of the world's most beautiful and imaginative event decorations and themed events..Exciting right?

But more exciting is the fact that also participating are some of Nigeria's diaspora best who will also be coming home to share their expertise as part of the event. One of my favourites is UK-based Tope Abulude of Balloon Inspirations, who I have known and had the pleasure of working with for over 5 years when I ran a children’s events company with my sister, Dupe Thompson in London called Peek A Boo Fun Factory. At a point we worked solely with Tope as our choice decorator as we were  perfectionists and thankfully Tope was too. All we ever needed to do was talk him through concepts we had in mind for a client and Tope would create the most beautiful balloon decor to 'Wow' every time..Needless to say, Peek-a-Boo Fun Factory always delivered top notch events and Tope Abulude was one of our secret weapons..

Tope started designing events as a hobby while studying for a Masters degree in Architecture. After attending the European Balloon Symposium 1996 he has since traded designing buildings for Balloon Art. He caters to a varied range of decor clientele from his Essex Design Studio.Tope's background knowledge of design is evident in all aspects of his work and has earned him the following prestigious awards:

1997 - 3rd place Small sculpture IBAC Chicago

1997 - 1st place Delivery bouquet IPS Birmingham

2000 - Joint "Designer of the year" IBAC Chicago

2002 - 1st place Table Centerpiece IBAC Chicago

2002 - 3rd place Non-Round sculpture IBAC Chicago

2009 - 1st place Table Centerpiece World Balloon Convention Texas

Tope designed the Medieval themed costume party at the 2003 International balloon Arts Convention (IBAC)in Chicago, and the 2007 Hollywood themed final night party and 2008 International Balloon Games both in Las Vegas. His work has also been featured in Balloon Images, Balloon Ideas, Balloon Magic, Balloon and Parties, Party times (UK), and various national and local newspapers.

Here are some of Tope's amazing creations...

Tope created  these gorgeous castles with balloons

A colourful shopping centre decor 

A gorgeous canopy that guests walked through...

Awwww...lovely

Underwater party theme by Tope Abulude

A gift wrapped real car by Tope as ordered by a very kind dad..

Another UK City Centre event decor by Tope Abulude

A totally amazing work of art by truly talented, Tope Abulude

Tope Abulude will be holding a whole day workshop on Thursday the 7th at Flare titled 'Transforming your event to the realm of the spectacular', where he will be sharing nuggets on how to create themed events, centre pieces and other amazing balloon concepts... Whatever you do..make time to be at Flare on the 6th-8th of April 2011. For more information about Flare, visit the organisers website here