Everything you need to know about the stylish designer - Shika

Shika Goe–Glavee, a renowned Ghanaian designer, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Shik collection continues to make strides in the fashion industry.

As a celebrated entrepreneur for a decade, her innovative designs, involving a combination of African prints has gained recognition on the international market.

Discussing her beginnings with The Spectator Agoro, Shika explained that her love for art and designing had made her who she is today.

“I am creative and I love to do anything artistic. I think it is in my DNA and cannot do without it,” she stated.

Little did she know that her brand, Shik Collection and El-vava Interior, will become a household name in the fashion industry years on. Shika knows exactly what to do with every fabric. Shika, who doubles as an interior decorator said, her sewing business began in her living room until she rented a showroom.

As she celebrates a decade in the fashion industry, she believes nothing would stop her from designing unique clothes because she wants to make a mark. The blend of different fabrics in her designs caught the attention of Nana Ama Mac Brown, Berla Mundi, Naa Ashokor, Vera Bannerman, Kareen Kash, Ama K Abebrese , Kafui Dey and some diplomats and bankers.

She gathers inspiration from visual arts, such as painting, sculpture, weaving, and motifs from wax print and also from the environment.

Challenges

Beginning her career, she said, was not easy because people did not patronise African prints in the past.

Touching on some challenges in the fashion industry, she said customised clothing was killing the industry because it limits the creativity of designers, unlike the ready to wear, where “you just pick a dress at a shop, when it fits, you pay for it”.

“Some clients also do not come for ‘fitting’ after their dresses have been sown and this makes their clothes either too big or too tight on them”. She said getting loyal customers had been her greatest worry.

President Akuffo Addo

Asked who she would like to style one day, she mentioned President Nana Akufo-Addo as her ultimate dream since he likes African prints.

Family

On how she handles her multiple engagements and domestic duties as a wife and mother of one, Shika said her family had been supportive. “Though I am always busy, I try to make them happy, especially, my husband who takes care of the family in my absence.

Advice

She urged up and coming designers to be determined and work extra hard to achieve their dream. She encouraged them to be their own motivator and be ready to take criticisms.

Shika is a Fashion and Textiles graduate of Accra Polytechnic. She later pursued further studies at the University of Cape Coast. She hails from Asadame in the Volta Region. Give her ‘akple’ and okro soup any day as her choice of food.