Women are almost always busy and are usually required to juggle multiple roles and responsibilities, so they often forget to prioritize their health. Floral Serenity Soireean event focused on women’s wellbeing, took place at ORÍKÌ Spa Kenya in Nairobi on 22nd June 2024. The event offered a sanctuary of tranquility and relaxation for women seeking peace and solace from their hectic lives.
This unique event, a collaboration between Kenya Flower Festival, ORÍKÌ Spa Kenya and Moms Giving Africa, was the perfect opportunity for women to remember the importance of self-care and wellness, bringing together women from diverse backgrounds to unwind, rejuvenate and simply let go while immersed in the tranquility of natural and floral surroundings. More details about the event here.
A flower event to soothe your mid-month fatigue
The idea for Floral Serenity Soirée was born from the realization that people, especially women, often feel tired all year round.
This is the fatigue and lethargy that many people experience in the middle of the year. It is characterized by a feeling of being caught in a whirlpool of responsibilities and demands, resulting in that strange feeling of being tired and fatigued at the same time.
So as 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 Joyce Awosika, wanted to create a peaceful haven where women could recharge.
The three organizers were a perfect match, as they shared a common goal: promoting the mental health and wellbeing of participants.
The healing power of nature is gaining attention
The Floral Serenity Soiree was designed to showcase the healing powers of nature and flowers, as being surrounded by greenery and flowers can have a positive impact on a person’s health, hence the focus of the event was on nature and flowers.
Years of research have proven that being surrounded by flowers and nature has a calming effect on the body and mind, so the tranquil gardens of ORÍKÌ Spa, a venue dedicated to nurturing the mind, body and soul, provided the perfect setting for the ladies to relax and unwind. With floral design advice from florist event designer Neema Mutheu, lead designer at Neema Weddings Inc., the floral arrangements and design of the setting reflected this very idea.
The three organizers carefully curated every detail to ensure that the Floral Serenity Soiree offered all the essential elements of a true wellness harbor: from the arranged flowers to the natural surroundings, delicious food, beverages, slow jazz music, and the sensual attitude of Oshin, brand and communications strategist at Oshinity, who spearheaded the activities for the event, the ambience was just perfect for attendees.
First, guests enjoyed a mindfulness and meditation exercise led by wellness coach Aisha Niya, followed by a live Ikebana demonstration by renowned floral designer and artist Priya Atul Shah. The traditional Japanese art of Ikebana is known for its meditative qualities, and attendees were enthralled by the intricate designs and patterns created using flowers and bamboo. Priya took the time to introduce the women attending the event to the world of Ikebana floral design, as every project is an opportunity to explore new possibilities and draw inspiration from the natural world around us.
Flowers as a source of beauty and serenity
Flowers have long been recognized for their calming and soothing effects, and Floral Serenity Soiree 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, nearly every detail was designed to promote relaxation and rejuvenation.
Rosemary Kimunya of the Kenya Flower Festival, one of the organisers of the Floral Serenity Soiree, said: “We are delighted to be able to host this amazing event.
“Flowers are therapeutic and calming, just like a spa experience, and both of our services are targeted to women who could benefit from these. I got in touch with ORÍKÌ Spa through its founder, Joyce, and put me in touch with a friend from another campus, Maria, who had just joined the seventh batch of the African Women Entrepreneurs Cooperative (AWEC).
Maria is the founder of Moms Giving Africa, an initiative that connects women and mothers through memorable experiences and meaningful conversations. This partnership is truly an AWEC collaboration!”
Additionally, renowned Kenyan floricultural companies, including breeder Ball Horticultural Company and grower Molo Greens, provided summer flowers such as sunflowers, various types of dahlias, Limonium sinuatum (statice), marigolds and echinacea, while breeders Interplant Roses and United Selections provided the roses used throughout the event, adding a much-needed splash of color to the party and enhancing the natural beauty and tranquility.
Empowering women through nature and flower health
Floral Serenity Soiree was more than just a floral event; it was a partnership to showcase and prioritize women’s health. The three women behind the event, Rosemary, Maria and Joyce, say they were driven by a shared vision to create a culture of wellness and self-care, and to recognize the unique challenges women face in their daily lives.
As a result, through their individual and collective efforts, they sought to create a space that would foster mental health, physical recovery and emotional balance for these women. And ultimately, the event was a success, as both the organizers and Osin acknowledged, and the feedback from the women who attended was that they all left feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and rejuvenated – and of course, bouquets of flowers and other thoughtful gifts!
A healthy lifestyle with flowers and nature
For them, Floral Serenity Soiree was not just a one-day floral event, but a movement to create a healthy lifestyle and promote women’s health through these events and initiatives. As one of the organizers, Joyce, aptly put it, Floral Serenity Soiree is not just an event, it’s a lifestyle. So, look forward to the next soiree.
Photo courtesy of Floral Serenity Soirée
