Kiki Kamanu | Exclusive Interview | #MyComeUpStory

By  | October 7, 2016

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Kiki Kamanu, born to diplomatic parents, a Bostonian mother and Igbo father, is the face of her eponymous label which was birthed when she began revitalizing her twin sister’s clothes at age eleven. While with the Ford modeling agency in Boston, she had the honour of walking for several designers including Chanel, and Gucci.

 

Kiki received her education in the United States, France and Nigeria and is at home in any culture, having travelled to over 50 international destinations in five continents. (and counting). This is reflected in the diversity of her creations and is no surprise that she draws inspiration from myriad sources which is evident in her skillful blending of styles, textures and fabrics from around the globe. – Sturdy cottons melt into elegant Thai silks while vibrant printed jerseys mold to perfect the feminine silhouette. Chiffons are creatively blended together with Italian leathers into wearable art whose intricate details are hand crafted by gifted artisans.

To the benefit of fashion iconoclasts everywhere, Kiki left her role at Harvard as the Neurosurgery Education Program Coordinator, to devote her energy to producing well-crafted exclusive creations while continuing to give back to the community by espousing the principles of fair trade.  Kamanu’s lively fashion fusions are available in limited editions for discerning men and women seeking superior personal style in casuals and formal wear. Her eclectic pieces include her revolutionary multifunctional ‘Comme Tu Veux’ wrap that wowed everyone at London’s Fashion week.

The Kiki Kamanu’s brand distinctive chic has been featured on several runways including Sleek, London Fashion Week and the ARISE Magazine Fashion Week. In addition, she and/or her designs have appeared in major American, European, Nigerian and Turkish media including CNN International and Russian Tatler. Kiki has dressed leading personalities such as Stephanie Okereke of Nollywood, Toks Olagundoye rising Hollywood star of the hit shoe “The Neighbors’, Susan Taylor, Editor-Emeritus of Essence Magazine and French singing duo Les Nubians, and has developed a faithful following in the United States, Nigeria, the Persian Gulf and now the United Kingdom.

In her former role as Editor of élan magazine, Kiki was credited with revitalizing the weekly fashion pullout of the 234NEXT. Newspaper  with the addition of creative and bold editorials.

In Kiki’s role as a costumier she continues to collaborate with several leading production companies to interpret their visions onto the stage.

She continues to be passionate about youth empowerment and mentors young men and women who are new to the world of design and is firmly committed to the principle of giving a ‘hand up’ with the community and not ‘hand outs’.

 

This Interview will be published soon.