“As a child, I always had an artistic side, but I didn’t really embrace it because I’m coming from an African background, and with African parents, you dare not say that you want to be an artist,” New York-based designer Chuks Collins tells Fashionista. Fortunately for him, he grew up with his grandmother, a seamstress, who was more than happy to teach him how to sew. By age 12, he knew how to assemble complete garments, and it was then that he realized he loved the art of construction.”I love the process of fashion,” he says. “The process of creation is very enticing to me compared to the finished garment. I mean, I do love the finished garment, but there’s something called fashion engineering — when you have pattern pieces on the table and different elements of making clothes that people don’t even see — and those kinds of things intrigued me as a kid.”
Chuks Collins Spring 2026.Photo: Courtesy of Chuks Collins
Before entering the industry, Collins earned his first bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Lagos State University. Two years later, he took a leap to pursue his passion: He studied fashion design at the University of Arts London, followed by getting an associate degree in apparel design at The Art Institute of New York City. In 2020, he got a master’s in business administration at Fordham. Between graduating from The Art Institute and attending Fordham, he gained industry experience through internships at Zac Posen and Nanette Lepore and a full-time role at Ralph Lauren. On the side, he was running his eponymous brand. In 2021, he knew it was time to commit full-time. “It got to a time where you just have to take the bull by the horns, because there’s never a right time, really,” he shares. “I also felt like I needed to tell my story through my work because I’m an artist first, and fashion happens to be one of the mediums of my expression. […] The why was calling, and I had to answer.”
Chuks Collins Spring 2026.Photo: Courtesy of Chuks Collins
His first major move in getting his brand off the ground was presenting at New York Fashion Week in February 2021 as part of the Black in Fashion Council’s showroom. “It was a dream come true,” he reflects. “It gave me the strength to keep going, knowing that there’s something here and I have something that people want to see.” He also wasn’t shy about sliding into Instagram DMs, whether to reach out to editors for coverage opportunities or to connect with buyers and industry figures for coffee chats. The fearlessness paid off: He steadily landed press coverage, was featured on the “Tamron Hall Show,” dressed celebrity clients (including Gayle King at the 2025 Met Gala) and got a wholesale account with Wolf & Badger (and will be selling at Nordstrom soon).Despite the momentum, this October, Chuks Collins underwent a rebrand.
Chuks Collins Spring 2026.Photo: Courtesy of Chuks Collins
“I struggled a little bit to define what the brand caters to, at least to the larger audience,” he explains. Many of his clients came for his made-to-order business, but Collins knew that if he wanted to scale, he needed to strengthen his ready-to-wear category. He reintroduced Chuks Collins by separating his atelier (couture and special projects) from his commercial line.The throughline across his collections is the way they bridge the gap between African and Western fashion. Having grown up between England and Nigeria, Collins infuses his upbringing and cultural dualities into his work. Contrasting fluid drapery with tailoring and sculptural shapes is where he shines. He calls it a blend of architecture and thrill.”I design for the girl in every woman, and for the woman in every girl who aspires to become something with her life, who aspires to wake up every day and conquer the world,” he explains. “I also look at pieces as heirlooms. I want something that people can cherish and keep.”Step inside Collins’ studio below:Do you have an emerging brand you want to share with Fashionista readers? Jumpstart your business with our affordable digital offerings.
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