Meet Keji Omoboni Jones | Fashion Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Keji Omoboni Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Keji, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I thought to myself it’s now or never starting my own business gives me an opportunity to follow my dreams and also help others in the process. I would ask my friends and sometimes random people I meet to take pictures in my designs and the immediate confidence it gave them, It was like magic to me. Ao that was my “Aha” moment. I started to create and create so much that I turned it into to a business at the same time it was a way to impact all different types of people. Fabric to fabric patterns to patterns the goal is to create more confidence with bold colors and patterns, and make people feel good while wearing KOJ.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
KOJ is all about colors and patterns, It all stems from growing up in Nigeria, At the age of 7 I went to my mother’s village first, Owerri, Imo state, specifically ‘Isu’ That was a huge difference where I was coming from in New York. People walking around with no shoes. people did not wear our modern clothing, they didn’t even have them. They mostly wore Rappas, ( this is a piece of african print cotton material used to wrap around the waist, also used to tie babies on your back. Life seemed to be moving fine on their side, however this was very strange for me because I wasn’t used to it. This is where it all started, the inspiration to look amazing without having to do much was my goal. I moved back to New York years later, and it was embedded in me to make a change with fashion. I was asked to do my very first fashion show in 2015, which blew my mind, as well as my friends and family. After I was able to see my real talent I made it official and got my DBA 2016 hence KOJ was born. It was not easy because I had to build everything to the top on my own, but as I kept going, I kept meeting amazing people like Jonathan, that inspired and encouraged me all through the way.
My main thing about overcoming challenges is having a mind set that; giving up is never ever an option. with that I could push any mountain and know I will come out strong.
I have learned to never have any attachment in business or in anything in general, and always remain professional no matter what. Do what you love because you love it, and not because you seen someone else do it, it’s been a long journey and I know its about to be a little longer and the reason I’m going to make it big is from that passion and love which makes it impossible to even consider giving up, so what I do, is I love the process, and I trust the process.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Before I moved to atlanta, I always loved little five points, it’s something about the vibe that is so refreshing. So I will start of there to get the vibe right, then we probably go to cutie nails in midtown to get our mani and pedi because they are amazing and it’s now Black owned. Then we are heading to SCAD fash to go see what they have displayed at the moment, get some lunch from TOP Spice my favorite thai food. If it’s the first friday of the month were going to the tribal event for some more good vibes. The next day we will go get brunch from highland bakery on highland ave, then before you leave make sure you try some Jenis Ice cream. one last one is to visit the food truck event on howell mill.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Since i came to atlanta in 2017, The goal was always to expand my knowledge in the creative world. I attend SCAD for fashion design and I came across a great amount of talented people, one who actually also inspires me in his artwork till today, he uses different lines and techniques in his art work and it is so unique and different. I love to work, He creates sculptures that are out of this world, and every single one of his pieces tell a story. He is literally the most talented Black artist. His Instagram is @Jonathanimafidor
He has an exhibition happening now, Echoes from beneath, Check him out it’s almost over.

Website: kojdesign.com

Instagram: kojdesigns

Facebook: kojdesigns

Image Credits
@illshotsjoemapp