THE NAME: Nkwo Onwuka

THE BUSINESS: N’KWO

(Designer clothing and accessories)

 

Nkwo Onwuka’s designs are defined by their outstanding brilliance and originality. She has dressed Miss Ghana and Miss Nigeria, and through her brand N'KWO is hoping to lead the way with a new fashion collection for the celebration of diversity, a chic approach known as ‘Afro-Bohemian’.

 

“Afro-Bohemian is a positive term, because it speaks with an emphasis of both where you are from and where you are at,” says Nkwo. “Everyone can wear it, because the clothes do not just represent a surface, they represent an ideology. It is an ideology of global tribes that aren’t ethnically based, but united by ethical harmony; a mutual bond of respect and taking care of yourself, of celebrating life together. It’s not just a clothing collection; it is an attitude, a lifestyle. Together we can cultivate the appreciation of diversity, a feeling that is appealing and readily available for everybody in the world.”

 

This ethic is reflected in Nkwo’s work practice, where she is keen to note, “I believe in brand loyalty on an ethical and moral level. I do not believe in sweatshops. I want to run a very ethical business. People think fair trade is expensive, but that is a complete farce. There is so much high-quality produce out there from all sectors that is brought about in a fair-trade manner. We need to raise awareness over these issues and dispel the myths.”

 

Where many high street shops are happy to exhibit the same seasonal products, Nkwo realises the demand for her designs in the market. “I go into shops and they have nothing in there like what I have. What I make is different, personal and unique. I like to be practical and design all of my own everyday clothes. When I go out, people literally approach me on the street and ask me, ‘I really like what you are wearing, where did you get that from?’ which is a wonderful compliment; at the same time tells me there is a demand for taking my business further.”

 

Nkwo Onwuka’s current endeavours are highly informed by her strong business past, from the successful clothes-making business she ran in Nigeria for four years to her bridal fashion company, Cupid’s Shoe. Welcoming a change of direction with her new collection, she looks back on the paths she walked to get to where she is today:

 

“Looking back, I have always been sewing since I was young, so clothes-making was a natural progression. I moved to the UK in 1997, but here business is totally different. People really dress up back home, but over here in the UK, people dress down and there is a different market. I have worked before with Street Cred, a women’s business support group which really helped to develop my ambitions, but I want to be even bigger. Street Cred encourages your business to be organic. I want to build myself up from the roots.

 

“Now I am at the beginning of my relationship with Empower. They have been absolutely great; it’s too good to be true. Empower have opened up a whole new set of avenues for me, and have shown me that I can expand. It removes me from working with only a black audience, and encourages me to reach out and be more confident. Once the market research is complete, I will be preparing for a full scale launch of N’KWO.”