Boubous Gone Boujee: How Kikelomo Onipede is Making “Grandma Chic” a Trend
Meet Kikelomo Onipede, the creative force behind Kiks Place, a haven for lovers of kaftans and boubous, where style meets comfort in perfect harmony. With a decade of experience under her stylish belt, Kikelomo’s journey from Ibadan to Lagos and beyond has been nothing short of inspiring.
Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in English and Literacy Studies from the University of Ado Ekiti, Kikelomo’s passion for fashion was sparked during her university days when she dabbled in selling clothes. It was there that she realized her love for fashion, her innate creativity, and her flair for commerce were the perfect ingredients for her future endeavors.
Despite a brief stint in corporate Lagos post-NYSC, Kikelomo knew her heart belonged to the world of clothing and commerce. Thus began her internal battle between conformity and fulfillment, which ultimately led her to take the leap of faith and pursue her dreams wholeheartedly.
In 2014, armed with little more than determination and less than two hundred thousand naira in personal savings, Kikelomo founded Kiks Place, marking the beginning of her entrepreneurial journey. Her story is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the courage to follow one’s dreams. So join us as we delve into the world of Kikelomo Onipede and discover the magic behind Kiks Place.
What led to your decision to focus solely on these two types of fashion garments ( kaftans & Boubou)?
The Business’s unique selling proposition has evolved over the years and is rooted in my personality. i.e elegant simplicity. Initially the business was a bespoke brand essentially for men and some women, however, based on my own fashion needs and coupled with a minimal market survey (random sampling) I was able to identify a market gap for women who want to look classy and yet feel free, this was the gap that I leveraged by providing the market with kaftans and boubous using very good fabrics and smooth tailoring. This made me champion boubou and kaftan renaissance in the Nigerian fashion industry.
How would you describe the innovative contributions you’ve introduced to this trend?
Before we came on board, boubous and Kaftans were largely seen as a domestic ‘costume’ for home makers. A decade down the line, we have successfully garnished this “costume” with the right dosage of sophistication for the woman of class, style and elegant simplicity.
Overall, I will say our innovation curve has been anchored on Quality Fabrics Purpose fit photography and African elegance.
