There are so many creative people in Nigeria. Among them, some stand out for their interesting stories and unrelenting spirit. One of those individuals is Veekee James, also known as Victoria James. She is a celebrity fashion designer and runs her fashion brand, VEEKEE JAMES. Known for designing beautiful dresses worn by politicians, celebrities, and other high-ranking individuals at major events, she has become a prominent figure in the fashion industry.
But that’s not all, Veekee is not just a fashion designer. She is also a gospel artist, a professional makeup artist, a content creator, an entrepreneur, and a social media influencer.
In this blog post, I will introduce you to the person behind the talent, and you’ll get to understand what drives Veekee James. Join us as we learn more about this talented lady, from her humble beginnings to her rise to fame and the positive impact she has made.
Veekee James’ Early Life
Born on June 26, 1996, in Ajegunle, Lagos State, Nigeria, Veekee hails from Akwa-Ibom State. She grew up in Lagos with her two brothers and parents. Unfortunately, she lost her father at the young age of five. Consequently, her mother, a talented seamstress, raised her and passed along her love for designing to Veekee.
Veekee completed her primary and secondary school in Lagos. Then, she enrolled at the University of Uyo to study Biochemistry, but left because she wanted to focus on building her brand. Another reason she left was because of the unfortunate experience of facing sexual harassment from her lecturers. Feeling unsafe and uncomfortable, she made the bold decision to withdraw from school.
At first, Veekee thought about starting a career in fashion design, but she hesitated because she didn’t think it would make enough money. However, over time, she realized that her passion for fashion was too strong to ignore. Despite her doubts, she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a fashion designer.
Veekee James’ Career
Veekee James is a celebrity fashion designer and runs her fashion brand, VEEKEE JAMES. She’s known for making beautiful dresses for brides and celebrities. Veekee is not just a fashion designer, she is also a gospel artist, a professional makeup artist, a content creator, an entrepreneur, and a social media influencer.
She started her career in 2016 when she launched The Veekee James Collection, her first collection of dresses. She showcased her dresses on various runways in Nigeria and around the globe like The Lagos Fashion and Design Week and the Africa Fashion Week among others. Veekee James loves Nigeria’s diverse culture and history. She creates beautiful clothes that mix traditional Nigerian styles with modern looks. Her designs show off Nigeria’s colorful culture in a classy way.
But her creative journey started long before 2016, when she was young she used to knit clothes and sell them in her neighborhood. She described herself as a ‘hustler’ because she did various jobs like hairdressing, makeup, and anything else she could learn. Her drive to create and her passion for fashion eventually helped her become a successful designer, who has worked with multiple celebrities.
Celebrity Collaborations and Awards
Veekee James has collaborated with numerous A-list celebrities, designing for names like Tomike Adeoye, Osas Ighodaro, Mercy Chinwo, Omoni Oboli, Funke Akindele, Toke Makinwa, Ini Edo, among others. She designed the dress that won Osas Ighodaro Best Dressed Female in the 2022 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA). She also designed the dresses of some of the contestants of beauty pageants, including Miss Nigeria and Miss World.
Veekee James has won numerous awards for her stunning designs, including being named Fashions Finest Africa Fashion Designer of the Month in October 2023 and receiving the Most Creative Designer of the Year award at the Nigeria Achievers Awards 2023. Additionally, she earned a nomination for Best Fashion Designer of the Year at the City People Awards 2023.
Read Also: Top 10 Most Fashionable Nigerian Female Celebrities In 2024
Veekee James’ Talent Beyond Fashion
Veekee James is a woman who excels in multiple areas. She is a gospel artist and has already released two songs, ‘Nothing Less’ and ‘Olugbeja’ as of February 2024. Additionally, she organizes an intimate worship session named Zion Warship.
She also runs a YouTube channel where she shares videos of her makeup looks, music, worship sessions, and podcast episodes. Her podcast, ‘Bible Stories with Veekee James‘ explores life issues through biblical perspectives, featuring insightful discussions with guests.
In the beauty industry, Veekee James has a line of cosmetics under her brand. Her product range includes lipsticks, eyeshadows, and foundations. Additionally, she runs a charitable foundation called The Veekee James Foundation. This charitable initiative focuses on supporting the less fortunate, providing essentials such as clothes, food, and financial assistance to schools, orphanages, and hospitals.
Marriage
On Saturday, February 10th, 2024, Veekee James and her spouse, Femi Atere, who is also her manager, had their white wedding after weeks of anticipation and social media buzz. The wedding took place in Lagos and was officiated by Pastor Bolaji Idowu from the Harvesters International Christian Centre. The ceremony was a beautiful affair, and Veekee graced the occasion by performing her popular song ‘Olugbeja’. The couple announced their engagement in November of 2023 and had their introduction ceremony in January of 2024.
Conclusion
Veekee James is a well-known fashion designer who has gained popularity for her creativity and hard work. She started her journey as a knitter and worked hard to become a successful fashion designer, inspiring many people along the way.
Her designs showcase Nigeria’s diverse cultural heritage, and she is known for her enterprising mindset. Recently, Veekee James got married to Femi Atere, a big personal achievement representing the start of a new chapter in her life.
Through Veekee’s journey, we learn the importance of pursuing our dreams, overcoming challenges, and staying true to ourselves. Her story encourages us to embrace our creativity and appreciate the richness of diverse cultures that enhance our lives.
Veekee James is a real inspiration to those striving to achieve their goals. Whenever I see her, I hear echoes of “I can make it, if she did!”