Kate Kukoyi is a Microbiology graduate from the University of Lagos who walked away from corporate opportunities to build Cool Fashion House, one of Lagos’ rising fashion labels, in 2010.
By Eberechi Obinagwam
Kate Kukoyi is a Microbiology graduate from the University of Lagos who walked away from corporate opportunities to build Cool Fashion House, one of Lagos’ rising fashion labels, in 2010.
Kate had always dreamed of establishing her own fashion house. Her mother was a fashion designer, making Kate a second-generation designer. Beyond the skills she learned at home, she enrolled in fashion school to master pattern drafting and advanced garment production techniques.
Inspiration from setbacks
Kate’s decision to launch Cool Fashion House was borne out of disappointing job interviews after graduation. Prospective employers repeatedly turned her down because her CV was “overqualified.”
She recalled: “There was a point in one interview where I overheard them say, ‘Are you sure she won’t take your business?’ In another interview, someone advised me directly: ‘I think you should just start your own business.’
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Though she eventually secured a paid job, Kate chose to quit and become an employer of labour. She started small in her bedroom with a single sewing machine inherited from her mother, making clothes for family and friends before moving into her mother’s workshop.
In an interview with TheNiche, she said: “I’m a second-generation fashion designer. My mum was a fashion designer herself. I’ve always had that flair for garment production. After school, I decided to go into fashion full time. Aside from what I learned from my mum, I went to fashion school to learn pattern drafting and other production techniques, which I still use in my business today.”
Growth and development
Over the years, the CEO of Cool Fashion House has grown the business from that single inherited machine into a full production floor. The expansion was funded through personal savings, government interventions, and support from angel investors.
“In 2020, we received a palliative from Nassau Microfinance Bank. That support enabled me to buy more machines and start my bulk production department,” she explained.
In 2025, Kate added a ready-to-wear line to the business. Through consistency and strategic reinvestment, Cool Fashion House has grown to attract angel investors.
Sourcing capital
Like most startups, accessing capital was a major challenge. Kate tackled it early by leveraging personal networks. “While I was still working, I collected jobs from colleagues, friends, and family. As a fashion designer, clients often paid in advance, and that helped sustain the business in the early days,” she said. She also received crucial support from friends and family who believed in her vision.
Breaking into the market
The early years were tough for Kate. She recalled; “There were times I had so much free time because clients were few”. Instead of idling, she used those periods to attend trainings, seminars, and networking events. “At that time, I relied heavily on referrals because social media was not as powerful as it is now. I attended every affordable event just to meet people and spread the word about my brand”, she added.
Learning from unfortunate experiences
Kate’s journey has not been without hard lessons. One memorable experience occurred during her first major fabric purchase at Yaba Market. “I told some guys I wanted to source jersey fabric. They took me to a section of the market and sold me substandard fabric at a higher price. I didn’t realise I had been scammed until I returned and showed others. That experience taught me the power of research and due diligence,” she said.
On japa
Despite the challenges, Kate has no plans to relocate abroad. She believes she was born in Nigeria for a purpose. “I feel I was brought here to make an impact. Over the years, I have empowered many young people. I wouldn’t have been able to do that if I was abroad flipping burgers at Burger King,” she said.
About Kate
Kate Kukoyi is the CEO and Creative Director of Cool Fashion House, a brand that has built strong capacity in bulk production and ready-to-wear outfits. Armed with a BSc in Microbiology from the University of Lagos, she further equipped herself with a Professional Certificate in Pattern Drafting and Garment Construction from Ginani Fashion School, and a Graduate Certificate from the National Institute of Management.
