NaijaTalkTalk- 12 Things You Didn’t Know About Nigerian Entrepreneur Banke Kuku

Nigerian Entrepreneur Banke Kuku is the founder of Banke Kuku Textiles, a textile company renowned in the worlds of both fashion and interior design. She blends African and Western designs into patterns that have been featured Vogue, Elle and he Times U.K. Kuku was recently named one of the top 10 finalists in the She Leads Africa Entrepreneurial Showcase. Here are 12 things you didn’t know about Nigerian Entrepreneur Banke Kuku.

1. She’s been into textiles all her life

Kukus’s mother taught her how to knit by the age of 5. Kuku said in an interview with Cdnet.or, “I chose a career in textiles because of my fascination with fabrics, from the construction to the surface design.” Kuku said she’s always been more interested in the construction of fabrics than the cut.

2. Education

Kuku moved to London when she was 8. Kuku studied fine arts, earning a Foundation Art and Design Diploma at Central Saint Martins, a public tertiary art school in London affiliated with the University of the Arts. Then she headed to Chelsea College of Art & Design to study textile design.

3. Other training

Kuku spent college vacations working in fashion houses. Some brands included Burberry, Designers Guild Interiors and Tank magazine. She went on to work with brands such as Lot 78, Jewel by Lisa, Jasmine Di and DuroOlowu. All the while she worked on the side creating her own designs.

4. Split between two worlds

While still working for other fashion companies, some of Kuku’s own designs were already appearing on catwalks in Paris and Milan.

5. Making it on her own

Eventually demand for Kuku’s own product became so time consuming she needed to leave her jobs working for other brands. Kuku was producing silk and cashmere scarves for companies in Paris, designing fabrics for other brands and working on a book. That’s when she founded Banke Kuku Textiles.

6. Her inspiration

Kuku said that her inspiration is very much culture based. Kuku regularly travels throughout U.K., Europe and other parts of the world looking for ideas.

7. She has a book Kuku

published a book, “The Unwoven Threads of Nigeria: The Effect of the Nigerian Textile Industry On The Country’s Cultural Identity and Economy.” In her book Kuku advises Nigeria on how it can elevate its economy to an international level without losing its traditions and customs.

8. Her nickname

Kuku was named “The Queen of Color” by the creative director of Jasmine di Milo, an established U.K. fashion house that Kuku worked with. She is known for incorporating the vibrant colors of Nigerian clothing into Western styles.

9. Her role

Kuku’s role in her company is multifaceted. In a Cdnetng.org interview she said, “I am in charge of all design and creating and producing our lines of printed and woven textiles. I deal with clients’ design needs and I liaise with manufacturers and other departments such as sales, PR, research, accounts and customer care to make sure everything is on track.”

10. Her advice to aspiring textile designers

Kuku said in a Cdnetng.org interview that to become a creative presence in the textile world one must have “a deep understanding of fabric construction and different characteristics of different fabrics. Also a great fashion sense and a good attention to detail.”

11. Some recent changes

The majority of Kuku’s recent prints are digital prints and she has begun blending cashmere into her product. She also recently lined her home with vibrant wallpaper of her own designs.

12. Her fame is growing

Michelle Obama, singer Kelis, and E! News presenter Catt Sadler are some of the celebrities who’ve worn designs by Kuku. Her designs are showing up in Selfridges U.K. and Missoni.

Source  #WHN