Today we’d like to introduce you to Kuteka Printell.
Kuteka, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I began my journey as a self-taught fashion designer. To gain experience in the fashion industry, I participated in local fashion shows throughout Houston and Dallas. As my confidence and experience grew, I eventually began producing my own fashion shows.
Wanting to expand my knowledge and refine my skills, I enrolled at Houston City College. During my time there, I competed in design competitions and discovered more about myself, not only as a designer, but also as an artist. Those experiences helped shape my creative perspective and strengthened my passion for fashion and art.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Fashion is an incredibly competitive industry, and standing out can be one of the biggest challenges. I’ve experienced my share of setbacks because life doesn’t stop just because you have a dream.
One of my greatest struggles has been gaining visibility and putting myself out there. Building a brand and marketing yourself in an industry filled with established fashion houses is a challenge in itself. Even so, every obstacle has taught me resilience, strengthened my determination, and reminded me why I continue to pursue my dreams.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a fashion designer, illustrator, and, more recently, a ceramic sculptor. I specialize in womenswear and have been expanding into ready-to-wear, although high fashion will always be my first love.
What sets me apart is my ability to move seamlessly between fashion and art. I’ve never felt the need to choose one over the other because each fuels my creativity in a different way. When I need a break from fashion, I find myself sketching or creating ceramic sculptures. I love the relationship between fashion and art and how they continuously inspire one another.
I’m especially drawn to texture, which is one of the reasons I gravitate toward clay. There are ideas and forms that fabric can’t always achieve, but clay can. When fashion reaches its limits, clay allows me to continue exploring shape, structure, and expression in ways that feel limitless.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I would definitely have to say my Mother was my first and greatest influence. I was raised in a creative home, and she was always creating something with her hands. Whether I was helping in her flower shop, making homecoming mums, cutting out sewing patterns, or assisting with whatever project she was working on, she always had me right in the middle of it. Growing up in that environment made creativity feel like a way of life.
Another major influence in my journey has been my professors at Houston City College, Professor Alexander Chapman and Professor Vi Hua. They pushed me beyond what I believed I was capable of and challenged me to pursue excellence in every design I created. They taught me that the inside of a garment is just as important as the outside, instilling in me the values of craftsmanship, precision, and attention to detail. They consistently set high expectations, and I embraced every challenge they presented.
Their mentorship prepared me for the realities of the fashion industry and played a significant role in shaping me into the designer and artist I am today. Because of their guidance and the foundation they helped me build, I was honored to receive the FGI Fashion Excellence Award. My garments have also been exhibited twice at the Museum of Fine Arts, and that preparation gave me the confidence and skills to take my work onto the international stage, and showing a collection during London Fashion Week last year.
I’ve also been fortunate to have a supportive family and a few angels along the way, people who believed in me, encouraged me, and reminded me to take my journey one day at a time. Their patience, support, and unwavering belief in my potential have carried me through some of the most challenging moments. Having people in my corner cheering me on has made all the difference, and I’m deeply grateful for every one of them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kutekaprintell.com
- Instagram: kutekaprintell
