Etemi Vincent-Okeke is the Founder and Creative Director of
KALIKI BY ETE, a fashion brand based in Lagos Nigeria. She is also a writer and
runs a lifestyle blog called Orange and Steel.
In this interview with, CityPeople Contributory Editor, Oyinlola Sale, she explains the inspiration behind her fashion brand.
You were in the Corporate world for a while before creating
Kaliki by Ete. Why did you transit?
Yes, I was. But after 13years in the corporate world, I decided
it was time to pursue my own dreams.
As a Fashion designer, what inspires your creativity?
I am mostly inspired by my environment, culture, and life
experiences.
Your designs are quite exquisite, most of them don't even look
like they are made in Nigeria, how did you manage to create that world-class
standard?
Thank you. When I first started, three things were my major
focus; storytelling, unique/exclusive fabrics, and quality garment
construction. The print tells stories
about our culture and experiences, thereby creating exclusive pieces that
resonate with the Kaliki Woman.
What are the important details that one needs to pay attention
to in order to excel in the field of Fashion?
Be original, don’t be afraid to stand out. Allow your
creativity to flow.
Know your customers, and what value you’re providing for them.
Spend time working on your value proposition.
Build solid relationships, e.g. with business managers, consultants, designers,
vendors, artisans you can collaborate with, etc. A good network of people will
help build a solid brand.
Work hard. No one can love or treat your business better than
you do, so put in the work.
Build a strong team that understands what you want to achieve.
Celebrate small wins, they encourage you to keep going.
What are the challenges you have faced so far in running
Kaliki by Ete?
Getting the right production team that is consistent.
Dealing with vendors. People are not always trustworthy, and
sometimes they mess things up, so I’ve learnt to have enough backup in case of
any disappointments.
There are many others but I’m grateful for the gradual
progress in general.
The industry is churning out a lot of creative Fashion
designers, what is your view about this growth?
I’m excited about the growth. There are a lot of talented
creatives coming up with unique and mind-blowing ideas, giving customers more
options to choose from. It’s no wonder that we are being recognized on the
global stage. I also love that a lot of designers are drawing inspiration from
our African heritage. This growth has also fostered collaborations that have helped
creatives in the industry bring their ideas to life, and also gain visibility
both locally and globally.
So, what makes Kaliki by Ete stand out in the midst of the
crowd?
Kaliki by Ete focuses on telling stories that resonate with
the Kaliki woman; stories about our culture, our home, our continent, and the
experiences we have along the way.
These stories are woven into the fabrics, creating exclusive prints. We will always remain considerate, conscious and collaborative in our practices.
IG: @kalikibyete
Email: [email protected]
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