MEET THE FOUNDER OF ZURIK GIRL: Chinenye Ezurike

Fashionable. Trendy. Ankara. Print. Colorful. Modern 

Are just a few words to describe the ZurikGirl Brand. Fashion Entrepreneur and Designer Chinenye Ezurike founded ZG in 2015. According the the ZurikGirl Website, her mission is to”design and manufacture the majority of our limited-edition Afropop collection in Lagos, Nigeria. We source sustainable and one of a kind fabrics while incorporating modern & contemporary shapes and styles throughout our designs, to make beautiful styles at a fraction of the price. Our clothes are ready-to-wear, fluently chic with a splash of personality and perfect for the contemporary woman with a big city mind on the go.” Chinenye is most definitely a force to reckon with when it comes to fashion and creating clothing for women of all shapes and sizes. She proves that she is the total package with her beauty, brains and perseverance. Check out my interview with her below. Enjoy!

1. Hello! Please let everyone know who you are! What is your full name?

My name is Chinenye Nneka Ezurike but everyone calls me Chi-Chi. I am a Nigerian born Fashion Entrepreneur and Designer. I graduated in 2017 with a Masters in Business Management. I discovered that fashion was the perfect environment to develop and hone my passion in being creative, so I started ZurikGirl, a  ready-to-wear clothing brand designed for the contemporary woman with a big city mind. Our latest limited edition collection “MUSE” for the first time is inspired by my personal style; chic, care free and the will to enjoy and live life freely.

2. Where were you born & raised? Did your upbringing have an influence on the type of clothes that you wear and style?

I was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria till I was 12 years old. Yes I would say my upbringing have a major influence on the type of clothes I wear and create. Most of our designs are done in Ankara. Although the Ankara styles have revolutionized over the years without restrictions, from the traditional loose blouse and wrapper, to a more contemporary fitted RTW styles. The Ankara print remains the same vibrant and colorful patterned.

3. Did you go to school to enhance your knowledge on fashion?

All through my undergrad and grad school I had a focus on business only because my parents weren’t to keen of the idea of going to school to study fashion. The only training I have in the creative aspect of fashion is going to sewing school for three months where I learned the basic fundamentals of hand stitching machine sewing, and a little bit of pattern making.

4. Can you please tell me where did the inspiration come from to start “Zurik Girl”?

Honestly it started with my love of dressing up and not repeating the same outfit. I started selling off my one time wear clothes on eBay and I realized a lot of girls loved the things I was selling which was all my personal style. So I decided if I could create my own I am sure this same girdle will buy but this time it would be brand new items and my own design.

5. What advice would you give someone trying to pursue a career in the Fashion World or looking to become a Stylist?

First things first, you have to believe in yourself more than anyone else. Be consistent in putting out content or products no matter how bad or low sales are in the beginning. Lastly being transparent with your clients and customers gives you a little advantage as a start up, you will easily keep new customers as returning customers.

6. What are your daily essentials and fashion staples you must have?

A simple white button up or T-shirt because it adds a classic yet effortless touch to an outfit. A belt, either a waist belt or a regular jean belt, you can take an outfit from Shab to fan in an instant.

7. Are there any upcoming projects that you are involved in, that we can look forward to seeing?

Yes!!! I have a lot of pop-up shopping events planned for this Summer 18. An upcoming one is the Afro Karaoke event June 16th we will be participating as a vendor at their event. July 15th where I will be inviting my top 25 Chicago based customers and treating them to a fun creative lunch and press release on our new items in collaboration with Zuvaa.

8. Apart from fashion, is there anything else that you would like to tap into?

I am currently in the works of putting out a men’s line. A lot of guys have been pushing me to do it, and I just might have something this summer to test the waters. I also love the beauty industry as a whole, so when the opportunity and capital arises I will definitely have a whole bunch of different beauty industry outlets such as hair, makeup, accessories under the ZURIK umbrella.

9. At the end of the day, what kind of legacy do you want to leave behind for people to remember you by?

I want to leave behind a legacy and empire! Where my children children can be apart of. I want people to remember as that little courageous girl from Nigeria who decided to go for it.

10. How can people get in contact with you via email or social media outlets?

You can shop our clothes online at zurikgirl.com and find us on all Social Media @zurikgirl

SHOP ZURIK GIRL: http://www.zurikgirl.com/

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