The Duchess Of Kukawa

Q: Who is The Duchess of Kukawa?

The Duchess Of Kukawa is also known as Khadijah Usman Shettima. I am the last of 10 children. I am from Borno state and a proud Kanuri, born in Maiduguri and bred in Kaduna, but I currently call Abuja home. I am a proud Abusite (schooled in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria) where I obtained my 1st degree in Geology. I am in my mid-20s.

Q: How did you come up with the name?

I'd have to give credit to my older sister, Aisha, for coming up with the name. My dad is from Kukawa in Borno State. As she put it, rambunctious as I was being born after 2 boys, I still showed promising glimpses of ladylike, regal behaviour. Her words, not mine! So she gave me the moniker & it kinda stuck. 

 
Q: Major challenges so far?

 The major challenge as with all business owners first and foremost, is poor supply. Getting well-trained and efficient tailors is also a challenge.

 
Q: What inspires you?

 Most times, what I wanted to wear didn't mesh with my tailor's vision, or maybe they felt it was too outlandish or something. This forced me to take a lead in designing & styling what I wear. Even though my friends and family always laughed at my horrible diagrams, they always copied, borrowed or stole the end product. So one day I had an ‘Aha!’ moment, as Oprah would put it, and thought I could make a living doing what I love so much.

 
Q: How long have you been into fashion?

I'd say fashion has always been part of my life as it is with most women. I've been designing, styling, restyling & redesigning for as long as I could remember. But the business part of it started 3 years ago as DreamSeams. I started out in our boys' quarters but could not really devote as much time as I would've liked to then. My employees were messing up a lot when I went to school and couldn’t be there to ensure proper supervision. Subsequently, after I finished school and NYSC, my awesome clients were already demanding to know when I'd start up again. So I decided to relaunch bigger & hopefully better, rebranding it as TDOK.

Q: What do you think about the Naija fashion industry?

I think the Nigerian fashion industry is doing extremely well. Fantastic, well seasoned designers are springing out everyday.

 
Q: What is your advice to upcoming designers?

It's very challenging, with loads of competition but that shouldn’t deter you in anyway because as long as you give it your best, the sky will be your starting point. Choose a job you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life. Confucius.

Regards
The Duchess Of Kukawa