Words by Josephine Agbonkhese

Banke Kuku needs no introduction in the Nigerian designing space. The Founder/Creative Director of the eponymous fashion label Banke Kuku, she has, over the years, carved a unique niche for herself in the industry, both as a textile and fashion designer.

Known for her bold, colourful and daring signature designs, the Nigerian-born London-raised entrepreneur started out as a textile designer working with renowned fashion houses in the UK, before venturing into interior designing until garment-making eventually stole her heart in 2019.

This culminated in the launch of the brand’s first retail store in Lagos where she debuted her womenswear and accessories collection. Months later, the Central Saint Martins and Chelsea College of Design-trained designer audaciously made a stunning debut at the Lagos Fashion Week. Since then, her fame as a fashion designer has risen sporadically— and worldwide too.

Recently, Kuku unveiled her Spring/Summer 2025 collection, “Oceans”, using the platform of fashion to highlight the urgent conversation around environmental sustainability.

In this interview with Allure, she speaks on this new collection, her journey, inspiration and much more.

Congratulations on the launch of your new collection. Was this a dream come true?
Thank you. Oceans was very well received. It was what I envisioned and worked tirelessly on for months. It was a dream seeing it come to life. The fashion show was an experience for all who attended. I can’t wait to see where this collection takes the brand to.

You are popular for your out-of-the-box ideas as a textile artist; tell us where you get your inspiration from…
I am inspired by nature in Nigeria. I tell Nigerian nature stories in a beautiful way. From my colour pallets to my motifs. My previous collection, “Eden”, told a story of a perfect garden which featured plants and animals from Nigeria. My current collection, “Oceans”, which just launched, tells a story about the hopeful future of marine life in Nigeria. My collections are also intended to inspire people to be more sustainable. The environment around us must be protected. It is our source of life. My next collection will be another intriguing Nigerian nature story. I’m inspired to tell positive stories about Nigeria to Nigerians and the rest of the world.

The fashion, textile, and interior design industries have collectively been significantly impacted by your creativity since 2011. Which of these industries are you most passionate about and why?

I am a passionate textiles designer, and my canvas is fashion. I feel like I make the most impact through fashion. The impact is not just within design; it also transcends to supporting the community around me.
I am also passionate about the interior industry. I started my business designing and selling interior products such as cushions and wallpaper. It was successful and I loved this side of my creativity; and it’s definitely something I look forward to tapping back into.

Tell us something about your new collection and what makes it relevant to today’s world?
“Oceans” tells a sustainable nature’s story. It’s about protecting our oceans through more sustainable lifestyle choices. Today, the marine life in Nigeria is endangered and we must all do our part to protect it. With this collection, I’m not just telling a story. I’m also taking practical steps to support this cause through volunteering to clean up beaches and supporting charities in this space.

I hear the collection was in collaboration with brands from different industries. How is this collaboration supposed to further the goal behind the collection?
Each of the brands I collaborated with such as MAC and Mikano are pushing sustainability. This amplified the message behind the collection which is for people to make more sustainable choices. The more voices we have pushing the agenda, the greater the impact of the message and the collection. I look forward to collaborating with more like-minded brands and also inspire more people and business to join us in this journey of sustainability.

Your favourite piece from the collection and why?

It’s so hard to choose! I absolutely love them all. They are all so special. There are our classic lounge wear pieces which are the silhouettes from my very first collection. We have the more occasional looks which I have totally fallen in love with as well. This season, we introduced swimwear which is so fun and exciting. I look forward to seeing how my kukutribe respond to the new additions.

Let’s talk about you. What inspired you to become a designer, and what aspects of your profession do you find most captivating?
I have always been creative from a very young age. I didn’t realise I wanted to be a designer until my time at Central Saint Martins which is where I discovered textiles design. Textile design came naturally to me. Once I embarked on my textiles journey, there was no going back
I have always loved art; creating, drawing, painting, making something. There’s never been a time I wasn’t doing some form of art. I guess naturally I transitioned through time from one art form to another, till I got here. The aspect I find most captivating is the sketching, bringing bits into form and there it is fully made.

What design philosophies or principles guide your work, and how do you implement them in practice?
I believe in passion, consistency and patience. In this industry, passion is everything because that’s what keeps you going. Breaking barriers is a big challenge and it’s the passion that will see you through. Good work takes time so patience is essential. To get noticed, people need to see you several times so you have to be consistent. It can’t be a one-off.

Could you provide insights into your creative process, from ideation to the final implementation of your designs?
It’s quite a process. Once I have a theme, I spend a lot of time just sitting with it. I literally dream about it. I pray about it. It really becomes part of me for a period of time. I do lots of research. I put pen to paper, then the magic happens. There is lots of back and forth. I don’t stop until I’m able to creatively articulate physically what’s in my mind.
Designing the textiles always comes first and for me that’s where I’m most challenged. It’s a process that takes months; some designs have taken years to develop. The process can be daunting at the start and along the way there are many challenges. I just keep going even when it feels like nothing is working and I’m not happy with the outcome. Eventually it clicks and it all starts to come together which is fulfilling after going through a roller coaster journey.

Can you share with us a project that you are particularly proud of or one that has challenged you?
I’m very proud of my new collection, “Oceans”. I put my all into it. It is everything I envisioned. Whilst creating it, I discovered more about myself as a designer and things I want to achieve. Knowing who you are as a designer is very important. It makes your creations more intentional. The collection came with its challenges. There were times I had blocks, but I pushed through. It was mind over matter.

Which current trends or developments in the field of textile design do you find particularly exciting, and how do they influence your work?
I love the impact of technology in textile design. It makes my process much faster on every level. From design to selling, technology is changing how we do things in the industry.

What was growing up like?
I lived in Nigeria until I was eight years old and then I moved to England. Growing up, I was privileged to be able to express myself creatively and explore my passion. I was very sure of myself. My childhood made me who I am today. I’m grateful for that.
I spent a lot of time drawing, painting, and knitting scarves with my mother. I had many pets, cats and dogs. Riding my bicycle with my brother and friends was one of the favourite things to did. I was definitely a girly girl which I still am today. I loved my dolls, polly pockets and playing with my grandma’s make-up. I can never forget her blue eyeshadow!

How do you relax?
I go for walks. I’m very into selfcare. I like to see and learn new things. I do a lot of things to calm my mind, from reading to meditation. I love to hang out with my close friends and family and have a good laugh. This is my favourite thing to do.

Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
I am definitely an introvert. I love my time alone. I spend my alone time thinking and researching. It’s very peaceful and silent in my space. That’s when I’m in my element. A lot of my creativity happens in silence and stillness. I have a very small group of friends and my family whom I love dearly.

What’s next for Banke Kuku brand?
There is no limit for Banke Kuku. I will keep telling my stories, impacting my community and growing my global footprint. Exciting times!