Growing up in Nigeria, she was surrounded by colour, texture, and tradition. To Joy, African fabrics were full of stories, identity and. expression. That early exposure stayed with her and quietly shaped the way she saw creativity and possibility.

Joy’s first path was not fashion, though. She built a corporate career, spending fifteen years at Chevron Nigeria, rising into a role as a Corporate Responsibility Manager. In those years, she learned how systems work, how organisations operate and how decisions affect communities. Her experience in the corporate world helped her in building structure, discipline and leadership

From the outside, it looked like a stable path but something inside was calling her elsewhere. In 2017, she registered her fashion business and was running it alongside her regular job, growing the brand Kelikume as well as she could.

In 2022, Joy made a decision that would change everything. She left the corporate world to pursue her dreams, a decision that was not an easy one to make. She knew that to succeed in this new path of hers, seeing that she had to start from bottom up, she would be requiring courage and a strong belief in her dreams even though it was not yet fully visible.

She founded Kelikume Fashion and Styling with a clear vision which was to take African heritage and present it on a global stage through design that is both meaningful and modern. From Lagos to Aberdeen, her work evolved and her designs became known for their ability to hold both tradition and innovation in the same space. She blends African textiles like Aso Oke and Akwete with contemporary silhouettes, creating pieces that feel rooted and forward at the same time.

Joy Oziomaaka’s fashion tells a story and that story reached global stages, including London Fashion Week, where her work stood confidently among some of the world’s most recognised designers and recognition followed as expected.

From the Global Talent Award by Arts Council England, to Creative of the Year at the Black Scottish Awards, to multiple honours celebrating her impact in fashion and business, Joy’s work continues to be seen, valued, and celebrated .

You would think that Joy’s work would stop at fashion but instead, it expands into community. Through her initiative, Fashion as a Tool for Youth Empowerment, Joy mentors young people, helping them see fashion not just as creativity, but as opportunity. She equips them with skills, confidence, and a pathway into independence.

Joy understands deeply that talent is everywhere, however, opportunity is not.

Her showcase, Roots and Rebirth – Catwalk Meets Culture, captured that philosophy perfectly. A cultural experience and a reminder that heritage can evolve without losing its essence and that identity can be celebrated without compromise.

Today, Joy continues to build her brand in Scotland, with a vision that stretches far beyond its borders, creating a fashion house and a platform as a bridge between cultures.

Joy Oziomaaka Kelikume is using her gifts to shape how culture is worn, how stories are told, and how future generations see what is possible, and she is doing it with intention, resilience, and grace.