If you’ve been paying attention, you’ll know that originality is the hottest currency in fashion right now — and Chikodinaka Perpetua Chima has been cashing in since day one. The creative force behind HN Clothings has gone from telling stories through fabric to rewriting what African luxury looks like on global runways. Think Davido, Tiwa Savage, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, and even a Guinness World Record breaker — all dressed in her artistry.
For Chikodinaka, fashion isn’t just decoration; it’s storytelling, advocacy, and power stitched into every seam. We sat down with her to talk awards, collaborations, legacy, and why African fashion is done apologizing.
La Mode Magazine (LM): Chikodinaka, thank you for sitting down with us. Let’s begin with a moment of reflection. Looking back at your journey with HN Clothings, did you ever imagine the level of recognition and impact your work would have today?
Chikodinaka Perpetua Chima (CPC): Thank you. Honestly, when I started, I had nothing but a vision and a determination to tell stories through fabric. I knew I wanted to create designs that were original, protected, and meaningful. I could not have predicted that HN Clothings would be celebrated on international runways, or that I would be styling governors, global celebrities, and world record breakers. But every stitch was intentional. Every collection from Threads of Heritage in 2020 to Echoes in Fabric in 2024 was a step toward where we are now.
LM: Your accolades are remarkable awards from the Eko Heritage Awards in 2020 to the Nigeria Achievers Awards in 2023, not to mention being honored at the La Mode Awards and the Africa Fashion Awards. How do these recognitions shape your creative direction?
CPC: Awards are affirmations. They tell me that originality and persistence are seen and valued. When I was named Outstanding Creative Fashion Designer of the Year in 2023, it wasn’t just about me—it was about showing younger designers that innovation pays off. For me, recognition is both encouragement and responsibility. It pushes me to keep challenging myself, to protect my designs, and to create work that inspires others.
LM: Speaking of recognition, your designs have been worn by icons—Davido, Tiwa Savage, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, even Guinness World Record breaker Clara Chizoba Kronborg. What does it feel like to see your artistry on such influential figures?
CPC: It’s humbling and exhilarating. When Davido wore one of my designs in 2020 and again in 2025, it felt like validation that my work could resonate beyond fashion circles, into music and culture. Styling Tiwa Savage for her album shoot in 2021 was unforgettable; she embodied the strength and beauty of the piece in such a natural way. And Clara, wearing Echoes in Fabric during her record-breaking marathon, proved that fashion can be part of history itself. For me, these moments are proof that clothing is not decoration—it’s empowerment, it’s storytelling.
LM: You’ve taken your collections to prestigious platforms—Glitz Fashion Week in Ghana, GTCO Fashion Weekend in Lagos, Washington DC Fashion Week, and most recently, Nairobi Fashion Week. How do you balance creating for international audiences while staying true to your roots?
CPC: I believe that fashion is universal, but authenticity is local. My collections often begin with cultural inspirations—like the Adire Collection at Africa Fashion Week in London, or the Cul Horizons Collection which fused heritage and global identity. From there, I translate these ideas into silhouettes and finishes that can sit comfortably on any runway in the world. It’s about holding on to your voice while allowing it to converse with global languages of fashion.
LM: Your partnerships are as impressive as your runways—working with Gerald Chukwuma, collaborating with designers like David Tlale and Anyango Mpinga, even partnering on Orange Culture prints with Chidozie Maduka. What draws you to collaboration?
CPC: Collaboration is about expansion. I believe creativity flourishes when worlds meet. Working with artists and designers from different backgrounds forces me to think differently, to stretch beyond what I know. The 2025 collaborations, from Vexture Couture to Trish O Couture, are reminders that fashion is a dialogue, not a monologue. Each partnership allows me to echo my voice in new ways.
LM: Beyond design, you’ve become a thought leader speaking at Eco Fashion Week Kenya, the Africa Fashion Forum in South Africa, and most recently at the Women in Fashion Africa Conference in 2025. What message do you carry into these spaces?
CPC: My message is clear: originality is power, and fashion is both culture and economy. At every conference, I emphasize protecting design rights, elevating African fashion globally, and building sustainable systems that nurture young designers. Through initiatives like the HN Clothings Women in Fashion Initiative and Fashionpreneur Initiative, I aim to give others the tools to grow beyond survival into true impact.
LM: Your collections are retailed through prestigious luxury boutiques from Nigeria’s Polo Avenue to A Ma Maniere in the U.S. and Elle Lokko in Ghana. What does it mean for you to see HN Clothings positioned alongside the world’s top luxury brands?
CPC: It means that African fashion belongs at the luxury table. For too long, African design was viewed as peripheral. By placing HN Clothings in boutiques across Africa and internationally, we’re rewriting the narrative. We’re saying: this is not “ethnic fashion.” This is world-class couture, crafted with originality, skill, and global relevance.
LM: Finally, Chikodinaka, you’ve carved a remarkable path in under a decade. What legacy do you want to leave with HN Clothings?
CPC: I want my legacy to be about courage the courage to be original, to protect creativity, to elevate African voices, and to merge artistry with advocacy. When future generations look back, I hope they see HN Clothings not just as a brand, but as a movement that proved African fashion is not a trend it is a force, a legacy, and a horizon without end.
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