By Rita Okoye

Outlasting the COVID-19 global pandemic in 2020 meant more for Taiwo and Kehinde Kolawole than just survival.

At a time when businesses suffered from imposed lockdowns and individuals experienced demotivation and anxiety from the fear of contracting the deadly virus, the twins’ passion for expressing ingenuity and practising productive entrepreneurship propelled them to establish a fashion business – TK Couture.
TK Couture stemmed from the duo’s intentionality and radicality to create a brand that would change the narrative on two ends: develop the diversity of fashion trends in Nigeria to an international standard and inspire their peers not to make the pandemic an excuse for stagnation. Both are recipes for success.
However, it has not been a walk in the park, as every startup experiences a storming phase. But then Taiwo and Kehinde’s resilience, business acumen and hunger for continuous development have given TK Couture a decent recognition in their locale, Akure, Ondo State, and among students of Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State where they studied. The twins achievements so far have pegged them as a huge fashion prospect for the future, and one of the fast developing fashion brands in the Ondo and Ekiti State axis. With both taking up roles as Creative Director and Business Manager proportionally, they manifest a synergy that attends to both worlds of the brand.
TK Couture is built on creativity, impressive craftsmanship, professionalism and cultural diversity. Their vision is to amplify the uniqueness of African fashion in diversity, making it fusible to the fashion culture from other parts of the world.
Taiwo and Kehinde have continually shown that they possess the technical and soft skills to materialize the vision of the brand. TK Couture has progressively developed into a fashion brand that personifies culture, style, art and lifestyle. The brand is fast becoming one of the most popular fashion outfits that cater to women’s fashion needs in Akure, Ondo State. With their Afro-centric inspired fashion ideology, use of Nigerian-made fabrics, and their skilled execution of colours and fashion accessories combination, the brand makes wears for all classes, occasions, and exhibitions. One of their most impressive qualities from multiple feedbacks is the team’s ability to elevate simple fashion items and fabrics to the level of luxury.
TK Couture positions itself as a brand passionate about promoting Nigerian cultural heritage and artistry through fashion. Their exhibition at the 2021 Sunshine Festival was welcomed with positive reviews, as they displayed clothes that accommodated comfort and charm with the use of Ankara fabric.
The twins have collaborated with aspiring models to merge their passion and skills to complement both parties’ talents and project them in the right light for more opportunities. These models come from four different institutions domiciled in Ondo and Ekiti States; an approach that attests to their good business strategy. They plan to have their own fashion exhibition and runway shows in the foreseeable future, as well as invest their resources in productive collaborations.
Right now, TK Couture is introducing a wave of fresh ideas and innovations to the fashion industry. Their concepts align with their passion, and the dedication they bring to the fore in executing their plans, is what ranks them as one of the next-rated fashion brands in Nigeria.