ALOD’s Role in Unveiling Hennessy’s Night Blaze
Accra, Ghana, proudly became the launchpad for Hennessy’s latest product, Night Blaze, alongside its new ambassador, King Promise. This event marked the beginning of a global rollout, and A Life of Design (ALOD) was entrusted with the challenge of conceptualizing and producing an immersive event that fused Hennessy’s prestige with the vibrancy of Ghanaian culture.
Back to the Beginning: Tight Timelines & Big Expectations
Our collaboration with Hennessy began in January, led by local brand representative Christopher Opara. By April, the full scope came together, but the timing was tricky. Lead designer and creative strategist, Aku Klutse, was balancing her final exams with this high-stakes project, which only heightened our excitement to create something extraordinary.
Aku recalls: “Armed with the brand’s guidelines, I got to work between study sessions. I knew they valued immersive, sensory experiences as much as I do. The goal was to make this launch unlike any other, capturing the essence of Ghana while maintaining Hennessy’s iconic prestige.”
The vision was clear: transform Sky Bar, a familiar venue, into something unexpected, weaving Ghanaian elements into a space that reflected Accra’s vibrant energy.
Percy Okine of N3d Studios reflects: “The clarity of expectations and deliverables kept everything on track.”
Setting the Scene: Creating an Immersive Experience
Our objective was to introduce Night Blaze with boldness and a creative flair in every detail—from the invitation to locally sourced décor, to the rhythm and flow of the evening.
Execution and Challenges: Building a Modular Experience
Sky Bar was set for a complete transformation, with all equipment designed to be modular and transportable for the rest of the Night Blaze tour, which included three other venues. This, of course, presented logistical challenges, but our teams—Q Bespoke Africa and Glovit—collaborated effectively to bring the vision to life.
As Nnamdi E.U, Operations Director at Q Bespoke Africa, shared: “Despite this being our first collaboration with Aku and the ALOD team, they exceeded expectations. Aku’s proactive approach and meticulous planning ensured every detail was covered, making the process seamless. Together, we made magic!”
Bringing It All Together: Event Day
Excitement filled the air as the event day arrived. From the drummers greeting guests to the sensory walk through the transformed lobby, every detail was crafted to reflect our goals for the evening, and the overarching impact the brand wanted to leave in the minds of their audience. Sky Bar was completely reimagined, with rich textures, bold colors, and a curated menu designed to engage all senses – the scene was set for the unveiling of the Night Blaze.
The Aftermath: Reflections and Moving Forward
The success of the Accra launch set the tone for subsequent venues, with each space adapted to maintain the core immersive experience. For us, the project’s smooth execution was a testament to the professionalism and collaboration of the incredible teams involved. Special thanks go out to our 3D visualisation team, led by Percy of N3D Studios, Q Bespoke Africa, Glovit Ghana, and all the other talents who helped make this project an incredible success.
By Aku Klutse, Creative Strategist & Founder, A Life of Design
Every project featured throughout this journal represents the work of many talented individuals, specialist vendors, artisans, contractors, suppliers, and creative partners. While every effort has been made to acknowledge those involved, the passing of time means some names may have been unintentionally omitted. To everyone who contributed their skill, care, and craft—thank you. Your work remains part of these stories.
