Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Akinyeye.
Hi Erica, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Fashion, for me, has always been my escape. Since a young girl, I was always the less fortunate one out of all of my friends monetarily wise. My parents are Nigerian immigrants and my father was deported by the time I reach 10 years of age. So in order to feel a sense of belonging my fashion is how I spoke out loud. I would use all my mother’s vintage pieces as stencils and create modernize looks that were trendy and fashion statements. When I moved from Arlington, Texas to Houston to attend Texas Southern University, so many people would notice my ootd (outfit of the day). They’d ask, “Where did you get this” I’d simply reply “I made it”. It was one day–I remember like it was yesterday a young lady loved my blouse so much, she pleaded with me to buy off of my back. I thought it was crazy but being a struggling college student I figured I could use the extra money, so I sold my blouse to her and felt like I conquered the world lol. I then started thinking that day, what if I make my own fashion line. So that just what I did. Spring of 2014, that’s when I began my fashion designing journey. I was then asked by TSU’s yearbook committee to do a cover story of me as a fashion designer on the campus of Texas Southern and tell my story of my over night success. It was a hit. From then on the NAACP organization at TSU put together a fashion show and spotlighted my designs. I was overjoyed that this first-generation Nigerian American girl was finally making money but more importantly, making women feel just as beautiful and confident as I did. Being a black fashionista was a cool thing and you can still give sexy while being high fashion. By 2018 I was traveling all over Texas doing my fashion shows and selling out my designs. My apartment was always getting a knock on the door because girls were coming in to get their custom designs by me Erica Kehinde Akinyeye aka EKA. I added the America to my brand name because when I think of America, I think of a land where dreams are made of and a place of all people from all walks of life. The diversity moves me so much. I even use the symbol for diversity as my logo for EKA America. When 2019 hit the pandemic hit, and business since then has slowed down tremendously. Right now I’m working on rebuilding and restoring what was once great women’s fashion. I’m a strong believer in God so I know he will make it even bigger this time around. I’m doing everything in my power to keep the momentum going. I never stop designing and creating, and am working with investors on creating my first store and bring EKA America into global success. So please be on the lookout.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest obstacle is trying to recover from the pandemic and have all the funding needed to really get back up. I lost everything and am still trying to pick up the pieces. I’m very hopeful and faithful.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
EKA America LLC is a business that caters to servicing and retail. Mainly known for custom fashion design, styling, branding, makeup artistry, hair, closet organizing, artist development, model casting, and administrative management. What sets EKA America apart from everyone else is that diversifying all services and specializing in each one is what is important overall for one’s look. I’m most proud that I had a vision, and I till this day, have not given up. I refuse to quit. I would genuinely be grateful for leads on grants and loans that would help propel the vision forward.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Trust the process and continue to create. For a while, I stopped designing and was buying wholesale and I quickly learned buying a big bulk of fast fashion and trying to resale it is like burning money. People fell in love with my brand for the interesting fashion details and amazing customer service. I should continue to stand on business with that and cater to what the people want.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ekaamerica.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ekaamerica?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EKAAmericaDesigns?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Twitter: https://x.com/eka_america?s=21&t=h73zpYizlH3bGorK8nLg7w
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ekaamerica9819?si=HuMhuYUG0hq8CUPL
