Banke Kuku, founder and creative director of Banke Kuku Textiles, reveals how she built one of Africa’s most recognizable luxury fashion brands, worn by Gabrielle Union, Lupita Nyong’o, and Beyoncé, from her living room in Lagos to global runways.

In this exclusive episode of the Afropolitan Podcast, Banke opens up about the brutal realities of building a “Made in Nigeria” brand, surviving COVID after investing every penny, and redefining African luxury for a global audience.

She explains:

 ◼️ How she pivoted overnight during COVID to save her entire business
◼️ Why she refused to move manufacturing abroad despite the challenges
◼️ The hard truth about funding, quality control, and integrity in African fashion
◼️ What investors actually look for when backing creative entrepreneurs
◼️ Why staying patient, purpose-driven, and ethical is her biggest competitive edge

If you’re a designer, founder, or dreamer building something out of Africa, this episode will inspire you to create with courage, resilience, and authenticity.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bankekuku/
Website: https://www.bankekuku.com

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Eche: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eemole/
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CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro

00:38 The Rise of Nigeria’s Fashion Industry & Creative Economy

02:20 From Home Interiors to Founding a Fashion Label

04:55 Launching Her Brand Right Before the Pandemic

06:50 How She Pivoted to E-Commerce Overnight

09:30 Selling Pajamas Online to Save the Business

11:00 Building a “Made in Nigeria” Luxury Brand

13:40 The Harsh Realities of Manufacturing in Africa

16:30 Balancing Global Quality Standards with Local Talent

18:50 Funding Her Fashion Startup Through GT Bank & Grants

21:00 Lessons on Integrity, Leadership & Hiring the Right Team

23:00 What Global Investors Look for in African Designers

25:45 How “Made in Nigeria” Became Her Global Advantage

27:30 Pricing, Perception & The African Luxury Dilemma

30:00 Behind the Gabrielle Union Collaboration

33:00 Is Nigerian Fashion Overpriced — or Undervalued?

34:45 The Banke Kuku Woman: Confidence, Class & Culture

37:30 Taking Nigerian Fashion to Global Markets

40:00 The Psychology of Patience, Faith & Growth

42:00 The Doha Partnership & Middle East Expansion

43:30 Moving From London to Lagos — Culture Shock & Adaptation

45:00 Inside Her New Collection “Savannah” & Its Story

47:20 The Future of Fashion Investment in Africa

49:45 Protecting African Craftsmanship, Culture & IP

51:00 Building Her New Luxury Flagship Store in Lagos

52:30 Customer Experience, Culture & Patience in Business

54:00 Her Favorite Signature Pieces & What They Represent

55:40 The Strangest Custom Requests From Clients

57:00 The Afropolitan Toast: Creativity, Legacy & Resilience

59:00 Rapid-Fire Questions + Closing Reflections