“We cannot talk about success without mentors, they hold our hands and point us to the sky, where the butter is sweeter and safe. This is exactly my story,” says Justine Kikoyo.

Justine Kikoyo Nakiboneka is a young professional fashion designer and entrepreneur, inspiring women to embrace their identity through fashion diversity.

Justine narrates how her passion for fashion started to brew at a tender age way back in primary school.

“I loved drawing sketches. As I grew, I progressed to designing outfits for people, including my friends and family as well as helping them manage their outfits and wardrobes,” she adds.

What inspired you to take on fashion and design as a career?

I have had this passion since childhood. At home, in the evening during family time, I would model for my family as a form of entertainment. I used to create small outfits for dolls in paper, fabrics and other materials. This creativity grew with time. Even at school, art classes were my favourite.

Is good mentorship a measure of success?

At Makerere University, I got an opportunity to do an internship with Beryl Qouture. The fashion house is founded by Anita Beryl, a famous Ugandan female designer, and award winner. I was surely in good hands.

She mentored me and helped me nurture the talent within. Together with her team, they showed me the reality and complexities of the fashion industry. She became an inspiration mirroring her personality, character and hardworking spirit. Today, I attribute my success to her mentorship as she laid the foundation for my fashion and design career, being my first and last employer.

In 2020, after the COVID-19 lockdown was lifted, I officially launched my personal brand; JustineK. The journey has up and downs, but I appreciate and learn from each step and encounter and the many more to come. Initially, my passion was in costume design, until I discovered Ruth E. Carter of Black Panther, whose unique art pieces of the modern-day Africa are a unique inspiration for me.

How have you benefited from it?

I have managed to expand from a small scale to a recognised business, established a retail shop uptown dealing in menswear at Span House Suit 212, together with an atelier dealing in customised design for women and men. I also have income to sustain my life, grow my entrepreneurial ventures and assist me in undertaking personal development projects.

The industry has also impacted and grown my social network and capital by bringing people that continue to pat my back and lift me.

How have you impacted other women through your work?

I have come to learn of the current identity crisis women are experiencing because of the existing beauty standards the world has pasted. I am so compassionate about helping women to love themselves intentionally and prioritize themselves. This is why I create pieces that many women can identify with in their natural born beauty in addition to educating them about what matches their shape and skin tone.

I have also got to deeply appreciate the female body in regards to fashion and I often affirm their uniqueness during fitting time. I go ahead to advise them to have well planned diet meals and take on fitness programs for healthy living.

What uniqueness do you bring to the fashion industry?

I reason a lot with young women since I am a modern-day fashion designer. I focus on a fresh fashion forward aesthetic whether minimalistic or Avant Garde in a high style approach. 

I employ the use of the monochromatic colour palette, on-trend fashion styles with a touch of traditional background, hence creating a new unique showcase appreciating both culture and evolution at the same time.

What advice would you give to a 20-year-old considering taking the same path?

The future you are seeking is right in front of you; you either choose the uncomfortable seat to gain it /work for it or choose the comfortable seat to leave the dream to disappear. Positivity, hard work, prayer, consistence, integrity and seeking your purpose, as well as prioritizing your values as a woman will take you far.