Teekay Designs is one of the few respected African designs on the global runway. Created by award winning Liberian Fashion Designer Kimma Wreh, TeKay Designs Inc. is an international fashion label based in Houston Texas but with a strong influence on Africa’s fashion industry.
TeKay Designs specialises in ethnic bridal and maternity gowns, pageant and formal dresses, ethnic wear and jewellery. Some of the brand’s pieces have clothed celebrities like Tennis superstar Serena Williams, Actress Ashley Rickards, Nollywood Actress Chinwe Isaac and, Ms.
America 2013 Chiniqua Pettaway.
Wreh’s creations have been featured on major fashion shows including New York Fashion Week, Couture Fashion Week New York, Dallas International Fashion Show, Africa Fashion Week Houston, Houston Fashion Week and The Ultimate Wedding Showcase in New York.
In October 2014, Wreh was awarded the Best Fashion Designer, Best Couture Designer, Best Bridal Designer 2014 from Houston Fashion Week and The National Spinal Cord Injury Foundation. In addition, she recently received the Top Designer 2014 Award from D-Mars and Fashion Designer of the Year award from the Ward Educational Foundation.
All these she credits to God, her amazing team in Ghana and the influence gained from the US.
In a recent interview, Kimma Wreh she shared with Ventures Africa her amazing journey towards becoming a famous figure in the fashion industry, her experience as a female entrepreneur and plans for the future.
Congratulations on your new award(s)! What will you say you have done well over the years that has ushered you to this stage of your career?
Thank you. My faith in God and support from my family has been most instrumental in bringing me to this stage of my career. It has been a long and challenging journey, and many years of hard work. Having a compelling vision that I strongly believed in has been a key factor to where I am today. My Creative team, associates and customers can feel and see the passion that I have for designing, and it shows in the designs that I produce. No matter what project I take on (big or small), I want the best results and put my best foot forward. I treat everyone with respect and that resonates with my team, customers, suppliers and fans.
How long have you been in the fashion industry and what inspired your the move into this sector?
I have been in the fashion industry in the U.S. since 1996. I started TeKay Designs as a custom online business with my sister and we provided our own brand of custom African-inspired and maternity designs via our website. In the early days, I was focused a lot more on running and managing the business. However my turning point was in 1991 when I travelled to Ghana and designed the Sankofa collection of African bridal attire and jewellery for men, women and children. I spent about 4 months in Ghana working with a team of skilled embroiderers and tailors to bring the collection to production. This served as a catalyst and I vowed to show the world the beauty of culture and showcase African and ethnic designs across the globe.
Your area of design is quite interesting and unique. Why did you choose to design traditional African wears?
Although my designs employ usage of African embroidery and fabrics, my collection is a blend of multi-cultures primarily African and European with some Asian influences. The gown silhouettes are very modern and flattering. I think, sleep and dream about fashion, and my love of Africa shows in my work. African-inspired fashion appeals to me especially couture bridal and formal wear.
Source: ventures-africa.com
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