Bunmi Koko
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| Fashion design | |
| Traded as | Bunmi Koko |
| Industry | Fashion |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Founder | Bunmi Olaye and Francis Udom |
| Headquarters | University of East London, London, UK |
| Products | Luxury clothing |
| Website | bunmikoko |
Bunmi Koko was a Luxury Fashion Brand, based in London, England. Creative Director Bunmi Olaye and partner Francis Udom founded Bunmi Koko in 2009. The name was inspired by the designer’s first name ‘Bunmi’ (which means 'God gave me') and the nickname given to her by her partner Francis; "Koko" (meaning my other half’). The two phrases joined to mean, "God gave me my other half."
Based in London, the brand designs stem from Bunmi's and Francis’ Nigerian/Scottish heritage. Bunmi Koko also stresses "diversity and inclusion" as part of their mission statement. The joint work of Bunmi and Francis has resulted in the creation of Longitudinal Caissons: a new method of creating tubular silhouettes in fabric. In addition to that, print technology is a key strength and unique selling point for the brand. This is due to the fusion of Bunmi’s fashion skills and Francis’ engineering skills, resulting in innovative and structured designs which caught the attention of a growing number of celebrities including former Spice Girl Mel B, Michelle Obama, members of Destiny's Child, top fashion writers like award-winning Fashion Director of The Telegraph, Hilary Alexander. In the second year, The Bunmi Koko brand became one of the most talked about emerging brands. In December 2011, Bunmi resigned from her role as the Creative Director of Bunmi Koko in order to take a break from the limelight to pursue other personal interests. In January 2012, Bunmi Koko Ltd stopped trading and the company was eventually dissolved by Companies House in August 2013.
Bunmi Olaye was born in Nigeria and came to the UK to study at St Margaret's School, Bushey in Hertfordshire. Her first fashion degree was an undergraduate foundation course at Wimbledon School of Art where she gained a National Diploma in Art & Design. She went straight on to study Fashion Promotion at the Kent Institute of Art & Design, which led to her working as a fashion stylist and illustrator in London. Bunmi then went on to work for luxury companies such as Anne Fontaine, Harrods and Prada before going back to study at the London College of Fashion, where she undertook the FdA Styling & Photography course. She also ventured off to take a Fashion Design & Marketing Degree at the University of East London, where she was awarded a special prize for Female Entrepreneurship in 2010 and currently appointed by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Patrick McGhee, as their ambassador for Female Entrepreneurship. Whilst studying, she made clothes for individual clients, most notably former Spice Girl - Mel B and in her sandwich year, she worked with couture designer Allison Rodger and Alexander McQueen and the luxury fashion brand Louis Vuitton under the LVMH group. While in Aberdeen, Bunmi Olaye met Scottish based engineer, Francis Udom (CEO) and their union inspired them both to start Bunmi Koko. Bunmi was the Creative Director of the luxury brand, Bunmi Koko. Following on from her resignation, she still designs for her private clients and has plans to launch her own label in the near future.
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