Banke Kuku of Banke Kuku Textiles

Our Female All Rounder for this month is Banke Kuku, Founder of Banke Kuku Textiles. Banke, 27, is a talented designer who has taken the road less travelled and channeled her professional training into fabric design. She has created fabric for renowned fashion houses such as Duro Olowu, Jewel by Lisa, Virgos Lounge and Lot78. Her prints have even been worn by Michelle Obama. (Yes! The First Lady of the US of A)

Her work is absolutely mesmerising, uber colourful and enticingly playful. It's easy to see why she's receiving some great accolade from some very noteworthy people in the industry.

Banke defines what a great Female All Rounder should be. She is creative. She is level headed and focused. She has a good business flair. But most importantly, she is passionate about what she does!

Enjoy our conversation with Banke....

This first question might seem obvious but why textiles?

I have been fascinated with textiles as far back as I can remember. I was knitting at age five; I would always pick the floral dresses and draw patterns on everything with a felt tip pen! So it was very natural and easy decision for me.

I chose to study textiles design after school, and I went from Central St Martins to Chelsea College of Art and Design, specialising in woven textiles, and published a book: “The Unwoven Threads of Nigeria’ which was an assessment of the state of the Nigerian textiles industry.

So growing up, was there anything that particularly encouraged you to chase your dreams?

I’ve always been inspired by the idea of having your own as a woman, not just financially but having something that you are passionate about that you can build on. I think its part of what holds a woman together. Being able to make a living from my passion has been my dream. Passion is what keeps your heart alive. I’m inspired by women who have built something out of their passions especially in the hard working environment of today.

Chasing your dreams is very addictive. Once you start and you get into the swing of it there is no stopping.

We know you draw from your African heritage but what truly inspires your designs?

My prints capture my inspirations. The stories behind the fabrics are currently African, but my style is universal. It is inspired by anything and everything. Culture, films, architecture the list goes on.

You recently held an exhibition at Transcending Boundaries; do you sometimes see your pieces more as art?

Textiles design can certainly be an art form. My work is often a form of expression: storytelling through observations in life that strike or inspire me.

With The Niger Delta region in Nigeria, which has become a theme throughout my recent work, it is an exploration of the theme of the oil production and pollution in the Niger Delta. I use bold patterns to bring life to an otherwise bleak theme.

A key inspiration was the photographer George Oshodi’s work, ‘Paradise Lost’. The main print tries to capture the intensity of an oil spill in the watery Creeks reflecting in the sunlight.

Tales by Moonlight, the secondary print, is inspired by the sight of the Delta at night: I was struck by the vision of multiple gas flares (gas wastefully is burnt or ‘flared’ by oil companies) erupting like little volcanoes against a backdrop of a pitch black (pollution obscures the views of the stars) Delta night-sky.

With this current focus on African stories, are there any plans to move back home to Nigeria?

Nigeria is on the cards for me. It’s an exciting and growing market that I will be tapping further into. I will always keep my business running in the UK as well.

That’s Great. You began in 2011; did you imagine BKT would grow so fast?

I actually think it has grown quite steadily. It’s been step by step, I definitely see myself as a duck, paddling hard and fast under water yet gliding on the surface. I’m very grateful for the opportunity I have. Looking back to 2011 I must admit I never dreamt it would come this far, however there is still a way to go.

Did you have short, medium and long-term goals when you first started BKT?

When I started, I had some very loose goals; I just went where the wind blew me. This was a very exciting and fun position to be in.

and now?

As my business is growing and I have more focus on the direction of my brand, I have had to become much more strategic especially as now I have larger overheads so sales targets need to be met.

What then would you say has been the biggest challenge with Banke Kuku textiles?

There have been many challenges but I think the biggest challenge for Banke Kuku Textile has been to develop a strong and tailored business model.

The business is just as important as the design. I would say I spend 75% of my time dealing with the business aspect and 25% designing.

So what's your remedy or advice for dealing with disappointments/ failures / challenges in life?

Don’t spend time thinking about things you cannot change. When you get disappointed, you can allow yourself to feel it but you have to move on to the next thing straight away.

That is quiet true. Your fabrics have been seen in not just furniture, was collaborating with clothing lines always in the plan?

I started in fashion and the interiors came later. Collaborating with fashion designers wasn’t something I had planned to do when I started my career; it was just opportunities that came about. It’s quite important to be flexible and open minded to different opportunities.

So what’s on the cards for the future and in terms of expanding, what can we expect next from Banke Kuku textiles?

Banke Kuku Textiles will continue to grow. Exploring different products and markets and taking on new opportunities. I will be showing at Maison & Objet in September launching a new product line. You will be seeing Banke Kuku Textiles in more stores by the end of the year.

With all this work what do you do in your free time when you're not working on your business?

I relax, travel, and spend time with friends. I’ve newly discovered that I love to cook!

Final question: What do you think makes a Female All Rounder?

What makes a female all rounder is a women who is able to balance all aspects of her life with the right emotional connection. Women have many roles in today world and it very possible to get carried away with one; it could be your job, life at home or yourself. All three aspects require a lot of work and attention and it’s important to give each its fair time and your best. Visit the Banke Kuku Textiles page here

Banke was also recently crowned the winner of the Triump "Women in the Making " competition. Read the feature here

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