I was heading out to the 40th birthday bash of Devyne Stephens, CEO of UpFront Megatainment, so, of course, you know I had to be styling! I’ve known Devyne for quite a while now, and I know he throws the most lavish parties in Atlanta. I was a party planner in Cleveland, so I was interested to see what he had up his sleeve this time. Stephens’ parties always outdo the ones I threw and are surely more extravagant and over-the-top.
Well, this year, with his turning 40, I should have known he was going to celebrate it in a big way. The invites that came were for a secret location, and there was a strict dress code to be dressed in black or white. The invite pictured Devyne dressed in the hottest black and white attire, sitting poolside with two beautiful girls in bikinis. Think James Bond (lol). I knew then it was going to be a fabulous affair!
When I arrived, I was escorted by shuttle to a huge estate with big fire pits and a long black carpet greeting me. The Hawaiian luau theme made me feel like I had stepped onto Fantasy Island. I got my picture snapped, was given colorful leis (mine were pink, of course), then headed down an aisle of white, sheer-draped cabanas with white couches … sexy! Bar stations were throughout the all-white house with indoor and outdoor pools, where people played. I even saw Akon take a quick dip in the pool. There were nibbles being passed around, and I saw a four-tiered black and white cake ready to be sliced.
The house was decorated with all white walls and leather furniture, black mink chairs and huge, crystal chandeliers. The furniture, with its unique shapes, was very modern. In one particular sitting area, there was a see-through floor.
What got me into the party mood was when I went upstairs to another pool area where there were go-go girls dancing adjacent to the rocking deejay and, on the other side, were luau dancers who were actually Polynesian! There was laser signage flashing, “Happy Birthday, Devyne” on the rooftop as well. The girls were shaking their hips so fast I was getting dizzy! There was even a Samoan fire dancer.
Celebrity sightings included Akon, Ciara, Jasmine Guy, Demetria McKinney, “Atlanta Housewives” Kandi Burruss and Sheree Whitfield, Mayor Kasim Reed, actress LisaRaye McCoy, Too Short, Ronnie Devoe and Q Parker. There also were plenty of socialites, political figures and local radio and TV personalities. The crowd started gathering out front when word got around that Devyne was getting ready to make a grand entrance. A drummer started playing really loudly, and the hula girls lined up to welcome him. He flew in via helicopter and landed right on the front lawn. Yep, now that was grand! I was so close that I could see the African American pilot smile at me for my camera (lol).
Devyne came out of the helicopter, and the first person that greeted him with a huge kiss was his mom. He was dressed in a linen tuxedo that was, of course, white trimmed in black. He hit the black carpet where he smiled for all the cameras. He came over to me and gave me a kiss and said, “Come on inside,” but it was getting late. However, I did want to wish him a very happy 40th birthday personally. It was really a great night for a party, and I’m glad he enjoyed all of his close friends and family coming out to celebrate with him. I would like to thank the staff at UpFront Megatainment for the invitation. It never disappoints when Devyne Stephens’ name is behind it. –tammie reed
