Priscila Okopan is the ceo of Kim dave a fashion brand which is based in the united kingdom. As a child she wanted to be a medical doctor when she grows up. When she applied to study medicine at university of benin she was rather given microbiology, Her was to go back to study medicine after finishing. But after completion of university she realized she had the love for styling. She went on to do a three month course at marthwin at yaba lagos. After doing the course she was 100% sure she wanted to do fashion and approached her parents that she wants to fashion and that she wanted to go to the UK to study fashion.
When asked about what inspires her to come out with lovely designs. She said she loves colour , print and really full silowet. She said that is her deign identity. She said the theme and stories she explores in her collection are from the Oboro tribe in south of Nigeria. sehe tries to tell a story and concept with each collection. An example is the kolanut print she developed in house, which she has develpomed into different colours and fabric.
When asked if the are plans in futures to add a male collection to the kim dave brand. She said for now the are no plans but maybe in fashion she might and start off with men’s shirt first.
When asked how she gets hold of African fabrics in the UK. She did say she has a souple of options her sister in still in Lagos Nigeria, and that if she wanted fabrics her sister could ship it to her. She also has options also to sourse African fabrics from within the UK or from the Netherlands and germany through their websites.
She said Kim Dave is open to making custom pieceses. She does not know how to make every single style of garmet , for instance she does not know how to make bridal wear because she was not trained to make bridal wear. Usually if a client wanted her to make a design she has never made before, she is much more comfortable with doing a prototype and let the client come in to try it out and if they are comfortable she will go ahead and turn it into the dress with a fabric a client picks.
When asked what does she do when she is burned out and fieels like giving up. She said she gives herself new goals to work with, or take 2 or 3 weeks break, or high someone in house for a short period or outsourse during that period.
He clienel bases are from all over the world germany, Australia, Aisa and America . For her ready to wear clients are in the UK and US.
When asked if she is to start all over again what will she do differently. She said she would have taken time out to learn the business side of fashion, by going to business school or doing some courses on how to , for example watch your cash flow, how to price profit, how to file your taxes, and more.. She did recommend anyone who wants to get into the fashion industry to do that.
When asked where she sees Kim Dave in the next 5 years.. she said she loved to travel more, probably get to do production in Nigeria and do all the exiibitons and popups in the UK,, get space for her business as she currently works from home, and she will also want to in person training for people who want to learn
When asked whar her plan is to ensure kim dave out lives her. She said is by setting good values, which is making good products , how will people feel when they buy a peiece from her. One of their core values is she love to make women feel beautiful despites the size or colour of their race and the process that is done into making cloths
Her advice to women all over Africa, is to find people men or women that can support you in anyway they can to achieve your dreams.