Women are almost always occupied; they ordinarily are expected to juggle multiple roles and responsibilities, so it's easy to forget to prioritize their well-being. Thus, the Floral Serenity Soirée, an event that is all about highlighting their well-being, was held on June 22, 2024, at Nairobi’s ORÍKÌ Spa Kenya grounds. It offered a sanctuary of tranquility and relaxation for the women seeking some solace from their often hectic lives.
Quite an opportune reminder of the importance of self-care and wellness for them, this unique event — a collaboration between the Kenya Flower Festival, ORÍKÌ Spa Kenya, and Moms Giving Africa — brought together women from diverse backgrounds to unwind, recharge, and just let loose while immersing themselves in the peacefulness of nature and flowery settings. Here’s all about the event.
A Floral Event That’s Mostly About Checking Mid-Year Fatigue
The idea of the Floral Serenity Soirée was born out of the realization that people, especially women, often experience mid-year fatigue.
This is a condition that causes a sense of exhaustion and enervation which many individuals experience during the period in the middle of the year. It is characterized by a feeling of being caught in a whirlwind of responsibilities and demands, resulting in the strange sensation of being simultaneously weary and tired.
Thus, as the women reflect on the first half of the year and plan for the second half, the three entrepreneurs behind the event — Rosemary Kimunya, Maria Nkumba, and Joycee Awosika — wanted to create a peaceful haven in which the women could recharge.
The combination of their three organizers was perfect, as they all shared a common goal of promoting mental health and well-being among those participating.
Nature’s Therapeutic Power Took Centerstage
The Floral Serenity Soirée was designed to showcase the therapeutic power of nature and flowers. The event's focus on nature and blossoms was, therefore, deliberate since being amid greenery and blooming flowers can have a positive impact on one's well-being.
Research has long proven that being surrounded by flowers and nature has a calming effect on the mind and body. Therefore, the tranquil gardens of ORÍKÌ Spa — an establishment keen on nurturing the mind, body, and soul — provided the perfect setting for the ladies to relax and unwind. And with the floral design input of florist event designer Neema Mutheu the lead designer at Neema Weddings Inc., the setting’s floral arrangements and designs just reflected this notion.
The three organizers had carefully curated every detail to ensure that the Floral Serenity Soirée presented all the essentials of a true harbor of wellness. From the flowers set in place to the natural surroundings, and nice food, drinks, and slow jazz music renditions, coupled with the sultry demeanor of Oshin, a brand and communications strategist from Oshinity — who directed the event's activities — the ambiance was just perfect for those in attendance.
The guests were, for starters, treated to a mindfulness and meditation exercise, led by Aisha Niya, a wellness coach. This was followed by an ikebana flower-arranging session, demonstrated by Priya Atul Shah, a renowned flower designer and floral artist. Ikebana, a traditional Japanese art form, is known for its meditative qualities, and those in attendance were fascinated by the intricate designs and patterns created using flowers and bamboo. Priya, whose every project is an opportunity to explore new possibilities and draw inspiration from the natural world around her, therefore, took her time to familiarize the ladies attending the event with the world of ikebana floral designs.
Flowers as a Source of Beauty and Tranquility
Flowers have long been recognized as a source of calmness and serenity. And the Floral Serenity Soirée took this concept to the next level by incorporating flowers into every aspect of the event. From the beautiful arrangements adorning the tables to the personalized spa treatments, virtually every detail was designed to promote relaxation and rejuvenation.
Kenya Flower Festival's Rosemary Kimunya, one of the Floral Serenity Soirée organizers:
“Flowers are therapeutic and a source of calmness, just like spa experiences. Both of our services cater to a similar audience of women who enjoy these benefits. I reached out to ORÍKÌ Spa — through its founder Joycee — and connected with another campus friend, Maria, who just joined the African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative (AWEC) Cohort 7.
Maria is the founder of Moms Giving Africa, an initiative for women and mothers to connect over an unforgettable experience and the meaningful discussions that matter. This partnership is truly an AWEC collaboration!”
Also, several renowned Kenyan flower companies including breeder Ball Horticultural Company, and grower Molo Greens, supplied the summer flowers, including sunflowers, and different varieties of dahlias, Limonium sinuatum (statice), marigolds, and echinaceas. On the other hand, breeders Interplant Roses and United Selections delivered the roses used throughout the event. These flowers added a much-needed pop of color to the soirée and enhanced the beauty and tranquility that nature is all about.
Empowering Women Using Nature, and Floral Wellness
The Floral Serenity Soirée was more than just an ordinary floral event – it was a partnership to showcase and prioritize women's wellness. Rosemary, Maria, and Joycee - the three ladies behind the event - indicate that they were driven by the common vision of creating a culture of wellness and self-care, and recognizing the distinctive challenges that women face in their daily lives.
As a result, through their individual and combined efforts, they sought to create spaces that promote mental health, physical rejuvenation, and emotional balance for these women. And in the end, the event was a success, as acknowledged by both the organizers and Oshin, as well as the feedback from the ladies in attendance, who all left feeling refreshed, renewed, and rejuvenated… and of course with flower bouquets and other thoughtful hampers!
A Lifestyle of Wellness With Flowers and Nature
For them, the Floral Serenity Soirée was not just a one-day floral affair but a movement towards creating a lifestyle of wellness and promoting women's well-being through such events and initiatives. As Joycee, one of the organizers aptly put it, Floral Serenity Soirée is more than an event, it is a lifestyle. You can, therefore, stay tuned for the next such soirée.
Photos courtesy of Floral Serenity Soirée
