Veekee James Atere (born Ruth Erikan James in Nsit Atai, Akwa Ibom State) grew up in Ajegunle, Lagos, as the only daughter among two brothers. She earned the nickname “Veekee” early on while helping her widowed mother in their tailoring shop. She faced adversity when her architect father passed away at age five, but she learned resilience and creativity from her mother’s unwavering work ethic and strong faith.
Veekee James Education and Early Career
Veekee attended primary and secondary school in Ajegunle. She secured admission to University of Uyo in 2015 to study Biochemistry but chose to leave school and chase her passion for fashion. She honed her sewing skills under her mother’s guidance, then supplemented her craft with self-taught lessons in makeup artistry and wig-making. She funded her early business growth through freelance styling, makeup, and beauty services.
Veekee James Major Life Events
She launched Veekee James in 2019 from her living room in Ajegunle. She relocated the brand to Lagos Mainland and later to Lagos Island, expanding into Veekee James Man, a men’s wear brand and Shoperikan, a ready-to-wear luxury womenswear. She released her first gospel single, Nothing Less, and followed up with Olugbeja in 2023. She organized her first masterclass in February 2023, training over 100 creatives from Nigeria and surrounding countries. She launched the podcast Bible Stories with Veekee James in March 2023 and steered her brand into campaigns at major fashion events like London Fashion Week. In 2025, she celebrated her 30th birthday by spotlighting emerging Nigerian fashion designers, she commissioned them to create different look for her and showcased them throughout the week of her birthday
Veekee James Personal Life
Veekee married Femi Atere in a traditional ceremony in February 2024 in Akwa Ibom, followed by a vintage-themed wedding in Lagos. She continues to share her faith and uplift others through her Zion Warship monthly gospel concerts. She openly credits her mother and husband as her pillars of inspiration.
Veekee James Professional Achievements
Veekee James has built an extraordinary career defined by excellence, innovation, and influence. She won the AMVCA Best Designer Award in 2022 and clinched the HerconomyFashion Designer of the Year Award the same year. In 2023, she earned multiple accolades, including The Future Awards Africa Prize for Fashion, La Mode’s Best Bridal Fashion Designer Brand of the Year, and Reader’s Choice Best Celebrity Stylist.
Forbes Africa recognized her powerful impact by naming her to its prestigious 30 Under 30 list in 2024, while CNN celebrated her as a Rising Voice in African Fashion. She styled red carpet gowns for top stars Osas Ighodaro, whose look won Best Dressed at AMVCA 2023, Mercy Aigbe, Toke Makinwa, Funke Akindele; Tomike Adeoye, and Bonang Matheba (former Miss South Africa and media personality). Designers across Africa have duplicated some of her original designs including the one Veekee created for Bonang. Her designs consistently earned widespread acclaim and major style features on platforms like BellaNaija Style, while Legit.ng readers voted her 2023’s Best Celebrity Stylist.
In 2025, Veekee created a show-stopping mermaid-style bridal gown for Priscilla Ojo, further solidifying her reputation for delivering exquisite, luxury couture.
As a brand ambassador for Viva Detergent and StormBodySpray, Veekee brought her signature elegance and magnetic personality to national campaigns. She championed these partnerships with authenticity, amplifying brand visibility and connecting powerfully with audiences. Her influence, style, and creativity continue to redefine what it means to be a fashion visionary in Nigeria and beyond.
Veekee James Legacy and Impact
She transformed the perception of Nigerian fashion by sculpting elegance and confidence into every stitch. She dismantled stereotypes, blending cultural pride with high craftsmanship and spiritual authenticity. She leveraged her success to give back, mentoring over 100 creatives through masterclasses, launching her Veekee James Foundation to support underserved communities, and uplifting local entrepreneurs through her public platforms Her brand elevated Nigerian fashion on global stages and encouraged a new generation to see Nigerian creativity as formidable and aspirational.
Conclusion
Veekee James embodies tenacity, vision, and soulful leadership. She turned lack and loss into global acclaim, showing that bold authenticity and relentless hustle can redefine industries. With every gown, campaign, and gospel note, she echoes a powerful message: purpose and passion can transform self, community, and culture. As she continues to create, inspire, and uplift, she lights paths for others to dream bravely, craft purposefully, and dress the world with dignity.
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