Ruth Erikan James (born 9 June 1995) popularly known as Veekee James is Nigerian fashion designer,[1][2] gospel singer and entrepreneur.[3][1] She is the founder of Veekee James, a fashion brand and also the convener of Zion Warship, a monthly gospel concert.[4] In 2021, she was the recipient of the AMVCA for best designer of the year.[5] In May 2023, she debuted her first single "Nothing Less".
Veekee James | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Victoria James |
| Born | June 9, 1995 Lagos, Nigeria |
| Origin | Akwa Ibom State |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Years active | 2019–present |
Early life and education
editRuth Erikan James was born on 9 June 1995 in Nsit Atai, Akwa Ibom State where she also hails from.[6] She was born into the family of Mr Augustine James and Mrs Esther James as the only daughter among two brothers. Her father was an architect, while her mother owned a tailoring outlet. She lost her father when she was almost five years old, making her mother the sole breadwinner of the family. While she was still an infant, her family relocated to Ajegunle, Lagos State, where she also spent most of her childhood, alongside her two brothers,[7] and also acquired her primary and secondary education there.[8]
In 2015, she got into the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State to pursue a degree in Biochemistry but left to pursue her passion.
Career
editVeekee James started learning how to make clothes when she was still a child from her mother, Esther James.[9]
In 2019, she was inspired by her mother to start her own fashion brand "Veekee James .[10] She first started her brand by opening a fashion outlet on the Lagos Mainland, but later relocated to the Lagos Island, in search for more opportunities. With time, she founded Veekee James Man, a fashion brand for men's wears and Shoprikan, for women.
In 2022, she won the AMVCA and the Hercomony Awards as the Best Fashion Designer of the year. In 2023, she won three awards including the Future Awards Africa. In February 2023, she organized her first masterclass that helped over 100 fashion creatives from different countries develop their skills. In March 2023, she launched her podcast ‘Bible Stories With Veekee James’.
Discography
editSingles
edit- Olugbeja[11] (2023)
- Nothing Less (2023)
Awards and recognition
edit| Year | Title | Category | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Sugar Awards | Fashion Stylist of the Year | Won | |
| 2022 | AMVCA | Best Designer Award | Won | [12] |
| Herconomy Awards | Fashion Designer of the Year | Won | [13] | |
| 2023 | The Future Awards Africa | Prize for Fashion | Won | [14][15] |
| Readers Choice Awards | Best Celebrity Stylist | Won | [16][17] | |
| La Mode Awards | Bridal Fashion Designer Brand of the Year | Won | [18] |
Personal life
editIn October 2023, Veekee James announced her marriage to Femi Atere on social media.[19][20] In February 2024, they had their traditional wedding in Akwa Ibom State, and a vintage-themed white wedding ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria.[21][22][23]
References
edit- ^ a b "Meet VeeKee James: Celebrity Fashion Designer and 2023 LLA 100 Women Honoree – Leading Ladies Africa". Archived from the original on 6 August 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ Adigun, Oluwatobi (13 October 2023). "Veekee James: A Powerful Fashion Designer Inspiring success Story". The Student Entrepreneur. Archived from the original on 4 August 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ Enenaite, Blessing (28 October 2023). "My most expensive dress worth $20,000 – Veekee James". Punch Newspapers. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ "Veekee James di 'Ajegunle girl' wey turn ogbonge fashion designer". BBC News Pidgin. 11 October 2023. Archived from the original on 6 August 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ "Eritan: Government needs to be Intentional about SMEs Growth - THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Archived from the original on 6 August 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
- ^ "MEET THE CLASS OF 2024: Passion, Purpose And A Decade Of The 30 Under 30 List". www.forbesafrica.com. 5 May 2024. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ Ajetunmobi, Maymunah (14 March 2023). ""Water used to reach our knees": Veekee James visits old Ajegunle neighbourhood". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ oluwaseun (31 October 2023). "Veekee James Biography (Career, Education, Net worth)". The Quest Times. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ "'How my mother inspired Veekee James brand'". The Nation Newspaper. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ Sobamiwa, Precious (6 September 2023). "Money increased my passion for fashion design - Veekee James". Tribune Online. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ "New Music: Veekee James feat. Shallom Matthew & Oba — Olugbeja". 29 September 2023. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ Yaakugh, Kumashe (22 May 2023). ""So much work went into it": Reactions to clips of making of Osas' AMVCA dress". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ Editorial, T. W. (28 March 2022). "Herconomy Celebrates Female Excellence with Conference & Awards!". TW Magazine Website. Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ "Award Categories". The Future Awards Africa. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ Hans-Bello, Grace (26 October 2023). "Things we love to see: the trailblazing women of the Future Africa Awards". Marie Claire Nigeria. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ Blessing, Enenaite (26 December 2023). "2023 Readers' Choice: Veekee James wins Best Celebrity Stylist, fans praise her". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ Okechi, Adaeze (24 October 2023). "VeeKee James Look At The Future Awards Africa 2023 - Fab Magazine". Archived from the original on 6 August 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ "La Mode Awards 2023: Full List of Nominees For the 9th La Mode Awards". La Mode Awards. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ Eze, Chinelo (30 October 2023). "Nigerian Fashion Designer Veekee James Gets Engaged". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ Stephen, Onu (11 February 2024). "#Loveunbeaten24: $1930 Valentino shoe, N12m outfits, other high points from Veekee James' luxury wedding". Premium Times Nigeria. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
- ^ Reporters, Our (10 February 2024). "Celebs party with Veekee James as she ties the knot". Punch Newspapers. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ Eze, Chinelo (18 February 2024). "Veekee James And Her 10 Stunning Wedding Attires". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ Iwalaiye, Temi (12 February 2024). "A look at Nigerian fashion designer Veekee James' 10 wedding outfits". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.