Ruth Erikan James popularly known as Veekee James is Nigerian fashion designer, gospel singer and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Veekee James, a fashion brand and also the convener of Zion Warship, a monthly gospel concert. In 2021, she was the recipient of the AMVCA for best designer of the year. In May 2023, she debuted her first single “Nothing Less”.
Veekee James was born on 9 June 1994 in Nsit Atai, Akwa Ibom State where she also hails from. She was born into the family of Mr Augustine James and Mrs Esther James as the only daughter among two brothers. Her father was an architect, while her mother owned a tailoring outlet. She lost her father when she was almost five years old, making her mother the sole breadwinner of the family. While she was still an infant, her family relocated to Ajegunle, Lagos State, where she also spent most of her childhood, alongside her two brothers, and also acquired her primary and secondary education there.
In 2015, she got into the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State to pursue a degree in Biochemistry but left to pursue her passion.
Veekee James started learning how to make clothes when she was still a child from her mother, Esther James.
In 2019, she was inspired by her mother to start her own fashion brand “Veekee James . She first started her brand by opening a fashion outlet on the Lagos Mainland, but later relocated to the Lagos Island, in search for more opportunities. With time, she founded Veekee James Man, a fashion brand for men’s wears and Shoprikan, for women.
In 2022, she won the AMVCA and the Hercomony Awards as the Best Fashion Designer of the year. In 2023, she won three awards including the Future Awards Africa. In February 2023, she organized her first masterclass that helped over 100 fashion creatives from different countries develop their skills. In March 2023, she launched her podcast ‘Bible Stories With Veekee James’.
Veekee have released several music singles such as Olugbeja(2023) and Nothing Less (2023)
She has won several awards and recognition which includes; 2021 Sugar Awards as Fashion Stylist of the Year, 2022 AMVCA as Best Designer Award, Herconomy Awards Fashion Designer of the Year, 2023 The Future Awards Africa, Readers Choice Awards as Best Celebrity Stylist and La Mode Awards as Bridal Fashion Designer Brand of the Year.
In October 2023, Veekee James announced her marriage to Femi Atere on social media. In February 2024, they had their traditional wedding in Akwa Ibom State, and a vintage-themed white wedding ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria.
Veekee James has never been one to shy away from her inspiring story. The top Nigerian fashion designer whose designs are putting Nigerian fashion on the global scale and is on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list has made a short film, “From Ajegunle To Forbes.” It chronicles her life, from her humble beginnings in Ajegunle to leaving school and launching her fashion career from her mother’s living room.
“This one’s for every person out here with a DREAM…” Veekee James declares.
Driven by a promise to make her mother proud, Veekee James has soared. She now designs for celebrities for all kinds of events, from weddings to prestigious award shows. At the recent Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCAs), she created stunning looks for style icons like Osas Ighodaro, Toke Makinwa, Uche Montana, Funke Akindele, and Tomike Adeoye. Impressively, four of these designs were recognised by BellaNaija Style as part of their “Best Dressed” list.
Veekee James’s talent is gaining international recognition. CNN’s African Voices Changemakers recently featured her alongside Andrea Iyama, highlighting them as two Nigerian fashion designers who are reshaping the global industry, all the way from Nigeria.
SAHEL STANDARD Media is proud of this relentless, talented and goal getter. We celebrate you for distinguishing yourself towards positivity and for your landmark achievements. We wish you all the best as you go forward Mrs Veekee Atere.
