Grandiose Avant-Garde Wedding Soirée at Vibiana Highlights Maximalist Style

Love, fashion and art converged in Afrika and Anthony’s avant-garde soirée at Vibiana. The Met Gala theme was a natural choice for Afrika, who has been enamored with the event since childhood. Upon seeing planner Lisa Lafferty’s extravagant weddings while watching Selling Sunset, Afrika knew that Lafferty could make her dream a reality. Choosing Vibiana as their venue was a strategic decision. The cathedral-style architecture of Vibiana bears a striking resemblance to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the venue for the Met Gala. Lafferty took inspiration from various designers and style moments to create this fashionable affair. The “ethereal with an edge” ceremony took pages from Dior’s and Chanel’s fashion shows; cocktail hour evoked a Dolce & Gabbana meets Yves St. Laurent affair with a sexy yet ornate setting. And the reception featured an opulent design composed of mixed metals and mirrored furniture with darker accents of black crocodile and onyx velvet. But perhaps the most notable moment was Afrika and Anthony’s grand entrance down a custom 72-foot stairway very much like the Met Gala’s red carpet, lined with members of the media and paparazzi to give the couple a true star-studded moment. In a heartwarming gesture, Afrika and Anthony asked that donations be made to the Jenesse Center in lieu of traditional wedding gifts. They wanted to keep the focus on love and chose to support Halle Berry’s “What a Little Love Can Do” campaign for the center.