{{Short description|Nigerian fashion designer (born 1995)}} {{use dmy dates|date=August 2024}} {{use Nigerian English|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist | name = Veekee James | image = Veekee James on HarvestersTV.jpg | alt = | caption = James in 2023 | birth_name = Victoria James | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|06|09|mf=y}} | birth_place = Akwa Ibom, Nigeria | origin = Akwa Ibom State | genre = | occupation = {{Flatlist| * Fashion designer * entrepreneur * songwriter }} | instrument = | years_active = 2019–present | label = }}
'''Ruth Erikan James''' (born 9 June 1995), popularly known as '''Veekee James''' is Nigerian fashion designer,<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Adigun |first=Oluwatobi |date=2023-10-13 |title=Veekee James: A Powerful Fashion Designer Inspiring success Story |website=The Student Entrepreneur |url=https://thestudententrepreneur.org/?p=1914 |access-date=2024-08-04 |language=en-US |archive-date=4 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804201454/https://thestudententrepreneur.org/?p=1914 |url-status=live }}</ref> gospel singer and entrepreneur.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Enenaite |first=Blessing |date=2023-10-28 |title=My most expensive dress worth $20,000 – Veekee James |url=https://punchng.com/my-most-expensive-dress-worth-20000-veekee-james/ |access-date=2024-02-19 |newspaper=The Punch|language=en-US |archive-date=19 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219213156/https://punchng.com/my-most-expensive-dress-worth-20000-veekee-james/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Meet VeeKee James: Celebrity Fashion Designer and 2023 LLA 100 Women Honoree – Leading Ladies Africa |url=https://leadingladiesafrica.org/meet-veekee-james-celebrity-fashion-designer-and-2023-lla-100-women-honoree/ |access-date=2024-02-19 |language=en-GB |archive-date=6 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806000915/https://leadingladiesafrica.org/meet-veekee-james-celebrity-fashion-designer-and-2023-lla-100-women-honoree/ |url-status=live }}</ref> She is the founder of Veekee James, a fashion brand and also the convener of Zion Warship, a monthly gospel concert.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-11 |title=Veekee James di 'Ajegunle girl' wey turn ogbonge fashion designer |url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/articles/czrwmpk477mo |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=BBC News Pidgin |archive-date=6 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806000959/https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/articles/czrwmpk477mo |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021, she was the recipient of the AMVCA for best designer of the year.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Eritan: Government needs to be Intentional about SMEs Growth - THISDAYLIVE |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/04/07/eritan-government-needs-to-be-intentional-about-smes-growth?amp=1 |access-date=2024-03-07 |newspaper=This Day|archive-date=6 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806000919/https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/04/07/eritan-government-needs-to-be-intentional-about-smes-growth/?amp=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2023, she debuted her first single "Nothing Less".
== Early life and education == Ruth Erikan James was born on 9 June 1995 in Nsit Atai, Akwa Ibom State where she also hails from.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-05 |title=MEET THE CLASS OF 2024: Passion, Purpose And A Decade Of The 30 Under 30 List |url=https://www.forbesafrica.com/cover-story/2024/05/05/meet-the-class-of-2024-passion-purpose-and-a-decade-of-the-30-under-30-list/ |access-date=2024-07-25 |website=www.forbesafrica.com |language=en |archive-date=26 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726032456/https://www.forbesafrica.com/cover-story/2024/05/05/meet-the-class-of-2024-passion-purpose-and-a-decade-of-the-30-under-30-list/ |url-status=live }}</ref> She was born into the family of Mr Augustine James and Mrs Esther James as the only daughter among two brothers. Her father was an architect, while her mother owned a tailoring outlet. She lost her father when she was almost five years old, making her mother the sole breadwinner of the family. While she was still an infant, her family relocated to Ajegunle, Lagos State, where she also spent most of her childhood, alongside her two brothers,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ajetunmobi |first=Maymunah |date=2023-03-14 |title="Water used to reach our knees": Veekee James visits old Ajegunle neighbourhood |url=https://www.legit.ng/entertainment/celebrities/1525024-rainwater-to-knees-veekee-james-shows-ajepako-ajegunle-home-grew-in/ |access-date=2024-02-19 |newspaper=Legit.ng|language=en |archive-date=19 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219221023/https://www.legit.ng/entertainment/celebrities/1525024-rainwater-to-knees-veekee-james-shows-ajepako-ajegunle-home-grew-in/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and also acquired her primary and secondary education there.<ref>{{Cite web |last=oluwaseun |date=2023-10-31 |title=Veekee James Biography (Career, Education, Net worth) |url=https://thequesttimes.com/veekee-james-biography-career-education-net-worth/ |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=The Quest Times |language=en-US |archive-date=19 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219215431/https://thequesttimes.com/veekee-james-biography-career-education-net-worth/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 2015, she got into the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State to pursue a degree in Biochemistry but left to pursue her passion.
== Career == Veekee James started learning how to make clothes when she was still a child from her mother, Esther James.<ref>{{Cite news |title='How my mother inspired Veekee James brand' |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/how-my-mother-inspired-veekee-james-brand/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|newspaper=The Nation|access-date=19 February 2024 |archive-date=19 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219215430/https://thenationonlineng.net/how-my-mother-inspired-veekee-james-brand/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2019, she was inspired by her mother to start her own fashion brand "Veekee James. <ref>{{Cite news |last=Sobamiwa |first=Precious |date=2023-09-06 |title=Money increased my passion for fashion design - Veekee James |url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/money-increased-my-passion-for-fashion-design-veekee-james/ |access-date=2024-02-19 |newspaper=Nigerian Tribune|language=en-GB |archive-date=19 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219213156/https://tribuneonlineng.com/money-increased-my-passion-for-fashion-design-veekee-james/ |url-status=live }}</ref> She first started her brand by opening a fashion outlet on the Lagos Mainland, but later relocated to the Lagos Island, in search for more opportunities. She later expanded her business to include Veekee James Man, a fashion brand for men's wears and Shoprikan, for women'''.'''
In 2022, she won the AMVCA and the Hercomony Awards as the Best Fashion Designer of the year. In 2023, she won three awards including the Future Awards Africa. In February 2023, she organized her first masterclass that helped over 100 fashion creatives from different countries develop their skills. In March 2023, she launched her podcast ‘''Bible Stories With Veekee James’.''
== Discography ==
=== Singles ===
* ''Olugbeja''<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-09-29 |title=New Music: Veekee James feat. Shallom Matthew & Oba — Olugbeja |url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2023/09/veekee-james-ft-shallom-matthew-oba-olugbeja/ |access-date=2024-02-19 |website= |language=en-US |archive-date=19 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219213813/https://www.bellanaija.com/2023/09/veekee-james-ft-shallom-matthew-oba-olugbeja/ |url-status=live }}</ref> (2023) * ''Nothing Less'' (2023)
== Awards and recognition == {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Title !Category !Result !Ref |- |2021 |Sugar Awards |Fashion Stylist of the Year |{{won}} | |- | rowspan="2" |2022 |AMVCA |Best Designer Award |{{won}} |<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yaakugh |first=Kumashe |date=2023-05-22 |title="So much work went into it": Reactions to clips of making of Osas' AMVCA dress |url=https://www.legit.ng/entertainment/fashion/1535629-amvca-2023-designer-veekee-james-shares-bts-osas-ighodaros-dressmaking/ |access-date=2024-02-19 |newspaper=Legit.ng|language=en |archive-date=19 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219213157/https://www.legit.ng/entertainment/fashion/1535629-amvca-2023-designer-veekee-james-shares-bts-osas-ighodaros-dressmaking/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |Herconomy Awards |Fashion Designer of the Year |{{won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Editorial |first=T. W. |date=2022-03-28 |title=Herconomy Celebrates Female Excellence with Conference & Awards! |url=https://twmagazine.net/news/herconomy-takes-bold-steps-towards-gender-parity-at-annual-conference-celebrates-entrepreneurship-female-leadership/ |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=TW Magazine Website |language=en-GB |archive-date=4 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704083134/https://twmagazine.net/news/herconomy-takes-bold-steps-towards-gender-parity-at-annual-conference-celebrates-entrepreneurship-female-leadership/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | rowspan="3" |2023 |The Future Awards Africa |Prize for Fashion |{{won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Award Categories |url=https://awards.thefutureafrica.com/award-categories/ |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=The Future Awards Africa |language=en-GB |archive-date=19 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219213156/https://awards.thefutureafrica.com/award-categories/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hans-Bello |first=Grace |date=2023-10-26 |title=Things we love to see: the trailblazing women of the Future Africa Awards |url=https://marieclaire.ng/things-we-love-to-see-the-trailblazing-women-of-the-future-africa-awards/ |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=Marie Claire Nigeria |language=en-GB |archive-date=19 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219213157/https://marieclaire.ng/things-we-love-to-see-the-trailblazing-women-of-the-future-africa-awards/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |Readers Choice Awards |Best Celebrity Stylist |{{won}} |<ref>{{Cite news |last=Blessing |first=Enenaite |date=2023-12-26 |title=2023 Readers' Choice: Veekee James wins Best Celebrity Stylist, fans praise her |url=https://www.legit.ng/entertainment/fashion/1570500-veekee-james-wins-legitngs-celebrity-stylist-year-beat-tiannah-others/ |access-date=2024-02-19 |newspaper=Legit.ng|language=en |archive-date=19 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219213159/https://www.legit.ng/entertainment/fashion/1570500-veekee-james-wins-legitngs-celebrity-stylist-year-beat-tiannah-others/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Okechi |first=Adaeze |date=2023-10-24 |title=VeeKee James Look At The Future Awards Africa 2023 - Fab Magazine |url=https://fab.ng/2023/10/veekee-james-look-at-the-future-awards-africa-2023-fab-ng/,%20https://fab.ng/2023/10/veekee-james-look-at-the-future-awards-africa-2023-fab-ng/ |access-date=2024-02-19 |language=en-US |archive-date=6 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806000918/https://fab.ng/2023/10/veekee-james-look-at-the-future-awards-africa-2023-fab-ng/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |La Mode Awards |Bridal Fashion Designer Brand of the Year |{{won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=La Mode Awards 2023: Full List of Nominees For the 9th La Mode Awards |url=https://lamodespot.com/la-mode-awards-2023-full-list-of-nominees-for-the-9th-la-mode-awards-greenoctoberevent2023/ |website=La Mode Awards |date=13 July 2023 |access-date=19 February 2024 |archive-date=19 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219221705/https://lamodespot.com/la-mode-awards-2023-full-list-of-nominees-for-the-9th-la-mode-awards-greenoctoberevent2023/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |}
== Personal life == In October 2023, Veekee James announced her marriage to Femi Atere on social media.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Eze |first=Chinelo |date=2023-10-30 |title=Nigerian Fashion Designer Veekee James Gets Engaged |url=https://guardian.ng/life/nigerian-fashion-designer-veekee-james-gets-engaged/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2024-02-19 |newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-US |archive-date=19 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219213158/https://guardian.ng/life/nigerian-fashion-designer-veekee-james-gets-engaged/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Stephen |first=Onu |date=2024-02-11 |title=#Loveunbeaten24: $1930 Valentino shoe, N12m outfits, other high points from Veekee James' luxury wedding |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/667539-loveunbeaten24-1930-valentino-shoe-n12m-outfits-other-high-points-from-veekee-james-luxury-wedding.html |access-date=2024-03-07 |newspaper=Premium Times|language=en-GB |archive-date=29 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229145418/https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/667539-loveunbeaten24-1930-valentino-shoe-n12m-outfits-other-high-points-from-veekee-james-luxury-wedding.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2024, they had their traditional wedding in Akwa Ibom State, and a vintage-themed white wedding ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Reporters |first=Our |date=2024-02-10 |title=Celebs party with Veekee James as she ties the knot |url=https://punchng.com/celebs-party-with-veekee-james-as-she-ties-the-knot/ |access-date=2024-02-19 |newspaper=The Punch|language=en-US |archive-date=19 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219213156/https://punchng.com/celebs-party-with-veekee-james-as-she-ties-the-knot/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Eze |first=Chinelo |date=2024-02-18 |title=Veekee James And Her 10 Stunning Wedding Attires |url=https://guardian.ng/life/veekee-james-and-her-10-stunning-wedding-attires/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2024-02-19 |newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-US |archive-date=19 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219221845/https://guardian.ng/life/veekee-james-and-her-10-stunning-wedding-attires/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Iwalaiye |first=Temi |date=2024-02-12 |title=A look at Nigerian fashion designer Veekee James' 10 wedding outfits |url=https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/fashion/a-look-at-nigerian-fashion-designer-veekee-james-10-wedding-outfits/xe8z8ke |access-date=2024-02-19 |newspaper=Pulse Nigeria|language=en |archive-date=19 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219221845/https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/fashion/a-look-at-nigerian-fashion-designer-veekee-james-10-wedding-outfits/xe8z8ke |url-status=live }}</ref>
Veekee James and her husband welcomed their baby girl on 2nd May, 2026<ref>{{Cite web |last=Akhimien |first=Nosakhale |date=2026-05-13 |title=Veekee James Welcomes First Child With Husband Femi Atere |url=https://www.channelstv.com/2026/05/13/veekee-james-welcomes-first-child-with-husband-femi-atere/ |access-date=2026-05-19 |website=Channels Television |language=en}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |last=Sanusi |first=Deborah |date=2026-05-13 |title=PICTORIAL: Celebrity designer Veekee James, husband welcome first daughter |url=https://punchng.com/pictorial-celebrity-designer-veekee-james-husband-welcome-first-daughter/ |access-date=2026-05-19 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== See also == {{Wikiquote}} * List of Nigerian entrepreneurs
{{DEFAULTSORT:James, Veekee}} Category:Living people Category:Nigerian fashion designers Category:Nigerian women fashion designers Category:Nigerian businesspeople in fashion Category:21st-century Nigerian businesswomen Category:21st-century Nigerian businesspeople Category:1994 births