In a world where fabric is often just fashion, Banke Kuku transforms it into poetry. Her prints breathe. Her colours speak. Her silhouettes whisper stories of heritage, resilience, and self-discovery.
Before the world called it “luxury loungewear,” she had already woven a dream, one where women could live boldly in silk, even in the quiet of their homes. From the ateliers of London to the heart of Lagos, Banke’s journey is one of courage and conviction, a story of a woman who didn’t follow the trends but designed from her truth.
The brand Banke Kuku stands today as one of Africa’s most globally celebrated fashion houses, effortlessly merging art, culture, and sustainability. Her textiles are not just patterns; they are reflections of Nigeria’s landscapes, histories, and dreams, worn by women who embody elegance without apology.
This is the story of an artist who paints with thread and vision, and whose canvas just happens to be the body of the modern African woman.
ROLLING STONE AFRICA x BANKE KUKU
RSA: It’s a pleasure to finally connect, Banke. Let’s begin with a simple introduction — who is Banke, and what is the story behind your brand?
Banke: My name is Banke, and I am the Creative Director of Banke Kuku. I’m a trained textiles designer — I studied Textile Design at Central Saint Martins and later at Chelsea College of Art in London. I initially thought I would become a fashion designer, but the moment I stepped into my first textiles class, I knew I had found my path. That moment set the course for everything that came after.
EARLY JOURNEY
RSA: Unlike many designers who transition into fashion from other professions, you began your creative journey very early. What drew you specifically to textiles?
Banke: I’ve always been creative. I studied Fine Art at A-Level and knew I wanted to attend art school rather than a traditional university. My foundation year at Central Saint Martins exposed me to several disciplines, but textiles instantly felt like home.
Saint Martins was intense — it pushed you to discover who you are as an artist. Later, at Chelsea, the program was more technical, which helped me refine my craft as a print and weave designer.
While studying, I interned constantly — with Designers Guild in London, magazines, and textile houses. That mix of experience helped me understand exactly where I wanted to be after graduation.
BUILDING THE BRAND
RSA: You’ve worked with international fashion houses and African designers alike. How did your own brand evolve from those experiences?
Banke: After university, I worked at Jasmine di Milo, a fashion house owned by Mohammed Al-Fayed’s daughter, and did textile design for several designers, including African brands.
I wanted to build something personal that didn’t conflict with my freelance work, so I started designing textiles for interiors. That grew into soft furnishings, which I showcased at Maison & Objet in Paris. Suddenly, I was wholesaling internationally — Tokyo, Australia, the U.S., Selfridges in London.
When I returned to Nigeria, the interior design scene wasn’t as active as in Europe. But clients loved my prints and wanted to wear them — so I made a kaftan for one client, and it spiraled from there. The shift into fashion happened naturally.
I launched a capsule line of luxury loungewear — pieces that brought comfort and beauty into everyday life, long before “at-home luxury” became a global trend. When COVID hit, it was our breakthrough. People were home, seeking colour, joy, and ease — and our pieces offered exactly that. Sales exploded internationally.
Today, we’ve evolved into a full fashion house — womenswear, menswear, and resort collections — while preparing to return to our interior roots. We now sell globally through our Lagos flagship, our website, and partners like Galeries Lafayette in Doha.
DESIGN DNA
RSA: Your prints are unmistakably yours. How do you maintain such a strong visual identity in a world full of noise?
Banke: Authenticity. The only way to stand out is to tell your own story. Every print we design comes from something real — nature, animals, culture, memories.
Our recent collection, Savannah, explores Northern Nigeria’s landscape — its vegetation, wildlife, and history. Most people don’t know that giraffes once lived in Nigeria. So, our prints have become a kind of visual archive — fashion as preservation.
We’ve also tied action to storytelling. With Savannah, we committed to planting 10,000 trees across Nigeria. So, the collection doesn’t just look beautiful — it gives back.
That’s how we stay unique. We don’t design for trends. We design from identity.
INDUSTRY CHALLENGES
RSA: What are some of the biggest challenges designers in Nigeria — or across Africa — face today?
Banke: Logistics is a constant challenge. Things can shift overnight — for example, DHL suddenly stopped shipping to Canada recently, and we had pending orders. It’s hard to explain that to international clients.
Currency fluctuation is another. There was a time when the naira changed value so quickly that pricing became impossible — what cost ₦1,300 in the morning might cost ₦1,800 by week’s end. That affects production, exports, and long-term planning.
And here, designers do everything. In Europe, you sketch and send your designs to a factory. In Nigeria, you sketch, source fabric, manage production, handle logistics, retail, and customer service — all while creating new collections.
It’s exhausting, but it also gives us control and agility. We can pivot fast, produce small runs, and stay creative. It’s tough — but it breeds innovation.
ADVICE FOR EMERGING DESIGNERS
RSA: What advice would you give to young designers who dream of building a brand like yours?
Banke: First, understand that nothing great happens overnight. What you see online is often the result of years of unseen work.
Second, start. Even if it’s not perfect. Growth only happens once your work exists in the world.
Third, be authentic. Don’t follow trends — create them.
And finally, consistency is everything. Talent opens doors, but consistency keeps them open.
THE BANKE KUKU WOMAN
RSA: How would you describe the woman you design for?
Banke: She’s confident, intentional, and curious about the world. She values quality and individuality. She doesn’t use clothes to hide — she wears them to express.
Our silhouettes are fluid, elegant, and empowering. They don’t transform her into someone else — they celebrate who she already is.
RSA: Thank you so much, Banke.
Banke: Thank you — this was a beautiful conversation. I truly appreciate it.
In a global industry obsessed with speed, Banke Kuku reminds us of stillness, of the power that comes from grounding design in story, craftsmanship, and soul. Her work is a love letter to heritage, to womanhood, and to the beauty of evolution.
From Lagos to London, from interiors to runways, Banke continues to prove that fashion is not just about what we wear, it’s about what we remember, what we honor, and what we hope to become.
