Meet Daniel Ukiri

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Daniel Ukiri. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Daniel, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

To be honest, I’m still not completely sure what my purpose is, but I’m certain it lies in the creative field. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had a knack for arts and creative projects. Currently, I’m focused on building my brand, Dukiri Apparel, but I feel there’s more out there for me to explore.

My older brother was the first person to inspire the artist in me. When I was around 4 years old, he used to hide his drawings from me until he finished them. I always waited eagerly to see what he came up with. To this day, I still have that childlike appreciation for art. I was that kid who always got in trouble in class because I would be drawing during math lessons!

I’m grateful that my parents nurtured my interest in arts and crafts. One fond memory is when they compiled a book of all my drawings from primary school, which I still have today. This inspired me to start documenting practically every drawing I’ve made since, most of which I keep stored in a folder. Even my teachers began to notice my drive for creative endeavors.

I’ve always felt a calling towards the creative industry. Initially, I thought I would become a comic artist or even a mangaka. In high school, I drew a comic book called “I am Abel.” It was a three-year project that I started in grade 9 and continued until grade 11, though I never finished it. I created different character backstories, trying to build my own universe. I was inspired by several anime series, from Attack on Titan to Bleach. The best part was the acknowledgment I received from my peers, as many of them requested to read my comics. At one point, I had to keep track of whose turn it was to read my comic next.

Over time, my interest in art developed into a love for fashion. This was practically inevitable, as my mother is quite the fashionista. She always encouraged us to look presentable while growing up, and she’s told me how I always tried to dress myself as a toddler. My interest in fashion truly took off when I was in university. It was no longer just about looking nice, but more about self-expression.

I’m someone who is big on symbolism and always curious about the meaning behind different graphics and elements in clothing. While in university, I discovered streetwear. I became curious about designers like Virgil Abloh and started watching various fashion content on YouTube. I really enjoyed drawing and coming up with my own graphics for t-shirts, as I was particularly interested in t-shirt designs.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

My professional 9-to-5 job is as a graphic designer, which greatly benefits my clothing brand, Dukiri Apparel. As an artist at heart, this brand allows me to share my creativity with a wider audience. Dukiri Apparel is an artist-inspired streetwear brand that focuses on creating unique patterns and graphic prints. Our designs are crafted to appeal to creatives and those who appreciate art, featuring expressive elements and vibrant colors that make each piece irreplaceable. Our mission is to build a global community around our collections, aiming to spread creativity worldwide. Our color palette combines bright shades with neutral tones for a fun and engaging aesthetic.

I believe that “art is addictive, dynamic, and forever changing.” It is essential for me to explore the intersection of art and fashion to deepen my understanding of both fields. My work draws inspiration from various sources—nature, dreams, and cartoons—reflecting my experiences and surroundings. I aim to encourage people to embrace their inner artist and express themselves in unique ways. My interest in fashion was influenced by my mother, who always encouraged my siblings and me to present ourselves well; looking good has always boosted my confidence. However, I truly developed an appreciation for fashion while at university around 2018, particularly drawn to the streetwear aesthetic characterized by bold graphics and colors. I was intrigued by designers like Virgil Abloh and his brand Off-White. As someone who frequently sketches, I began creating different t-shirt designs, but the pivotal moment for me was when I conceptualized a design called “Abstract Shapes and Robot Arms.” This design featured a visual illusion that required viewers to focus closely before recognizing the arms within it.

In the early stages of my brand, I was primarily focused on figuring out what it should represent. My initial goal was simply to create various drawings and print them on t-shirts for fun, without any structured vision. Admittedly, I felt apprehensive about sharing what genuinely interested me through my brand. At that time, all I wanted was for my clothing to be affordable for college students while also being intriguing.

Over time, I’ve realized that I want my brand to center more around my personal experiences and the shared stories of others. While my focus remains on sharing creativity, I also want my designs to convey deeper meanings through symbolism. This approach has become my preferred method of artistic expression. I enjoy creating unique designs that provoke thought and questions; ideally, each collection will share some design elements while also allowing individual pieces to stand alone. I prefer starting my design process by hand, often using mixed media that combines illustrations with photographs.

I have been running Dukiri Apparel for over two years now and had the opportunity to showcase my collection at Fashion Art Toronto in 2022. My first collection, “Motif One,” merged several pieces I had designed over the years. The goal was to capture the essence of different seasons—from the bright vibes of summer to the more muted tones of autumn—while envisioning people feeling comfortable in the brand and enjoying varying amounts of color. Consequently, the patterns in this collection are predominantly playful.

In 2023, I showcased “The Journey Collection” at Breakfree NYFW and Fashion Art Toronto. Currently, my two favorite collections are “The Journey” and “Growth & Rebirth.”

“The Journey” originally represented movement but has evolved into a symbol of my brand’s story as we continue to create memories and pursue our goals. It serves as a reminder that our narrative is ongoing. Through this collection, I hope to convey the story of my brand’s journey—filled with ups and downs that make it worthwhile. I selected four photographs taken between 2019-2020 under specific constraints; I could only photograph landscapes from inside a bus or car that caught my interest. This limitation felt instinctual.

These photos expressively captured my thoughts at the time. Additionally, I created an illustration specifically for this collection called “Dream Block,” depicting a hand reaching toward a rose in the sky—a seemingly unreachable goal. The image features barricades blocking the path along with crushed billboards and broken dustbins on cracked roads, symbolizing the challenges we face. However, there is also a reminder on a signboard urging us to always be happy—a principle by which I strive to live: maintaining a positive outlook.

The concept for “Growth & Rebirth” emerged after completing “The Journey.” This collection focuses on transformation and creating something new through symbolism conveyed via a series of illustrations representing various transformations. One notable illustration depicts the life cycle of a butterfly—from caterpillar to cocoon to beautiful butterfly—serving as a powerful symbol of change that mirrors transformations in our own lives.

As I explored additional representations of transformation, I became fascinated by koi fish symbolism in Japanese culture—representing perseverance, transformation, and good fortune—and incorporated these elements into my work alongside lotus flowers and lilies that symbolize transformation across different cultures.

In this collection, I aim to explore “Growth & Rebirth,” celebrating the beauty of transformation and new beginnings through various cultural lenses and natural metaphors. Ultimately, I hope to refine this collection further in the future.

Looking ahead to 2024, I’m working on another collection that I plan to showcase at a runway show in 2025. This new collection focuses on fear and prominently features various shades of yellow as symbols of hope and warmth. For some time now, I’ve been intrigued by exploring darker themes in my work; thus, fear—a universal human experience—became my focal point for expression through drawings.

I completed three illustrations for this theme: The first depicts a woman who appears mentally unhinged—restrained yet paralyzed with her hands covering her mouth while her bloodshot eyes stare wide open. Upon closer inspection, a symbol resembling a cross worn by Catholic warriors during the Crusades appears on her hand—symbolizing strength amid overwhelming challenges but also suggesting she hasn’t surrendered hope.

The second drawing features a mockingbird whose tail feathers form the same cross symbol; inspired by “The Hunger Games,” where it represents hope for oppressed districts—this piece embodies courage as well.

The third illustration is perhaps the most unconventional yet personal favorite; it portrays two hands reaching forward towards a cross whose shadow is cast upon one palm while breaking through clouds representing life’s obstacles—symbolizing newfound courage accompanied by three butterflies representing luck and good fortune.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I adopted the Mamba Mentality and did what I needed to do to start my business. Learning to be resourceful was essential, and Google quickly became my best friend. The internet is filled with valuable information that can help you get started; all you need to do is take action. I also believe it’s important to find the most efficient ways to accomplish tasks, and with a bit of research, you can make significant progress.

When I built my first website, I realized I had zero coding skills, so I researched the best website builders and evaluated which platforms would suit me best. I experimented with Wix Editor, Shopify, and WordPress, ultimately choosing Shopify because I found it to be the best option for e-commerce. The most challenging part was setting up the shipping profile, but watching YouTube tutorials proved incredibly helpful.

Even when it came to video editing, there were times when I couldn’t afford Adobe software, so I turned to tools like Canva and DaVinci Resolve. As a business owner, you will constantly face new challenges—whether it’s learning how to acquire a trademark or finding vendors. The first step is always to take that initial leap and figure things out as you go.

One skill I’m truly grateful for is my art and design abilities, which have been invaluable in developing my collections. These skills allow me to stay true to myself and create authentic designs. Additionally, my drawing tendencies make my work recognizable to those who have seen it before. My love for art fuels my creativity, and jotting down ideas has been particularly helpful during periods of mental block. I often revisit past ideas to see if they can be realized now or refined further.

For someone like me who heavily relies on patterns, documenting all my drawings is essential. It’s crucial to keep them well organized, especially if they are on paper, as they serve as inspiration for future designs or can be combined with older designs to create something new. I believe in the philosophy of Andy Warhol: using repetition creatively is acceptable. It’s perfectly fine to reuse the same design in interesting ways—changing colors or using it as a background in a new illustration can yield exciting results. No design should ever be considered wasted; there are countless possibilities for reimagining your work.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Yes!! I would be thrilled to collaborate with creative minds from various industries! I truly believe that two heads are better than one, and as we share our ideas, we can create something beyond our wildest imaginations.

One of my main goals is to get my brand featured in movies and short films. I’m actively seeking directors and film students who are interested in using stylish clothing for their sets. I genuinely believe that the right outfits can elevate a scene, and it’s been a fun aspiration of mine to see my designs on screen!

I’m also eager to connect with artists and emerging brands within Toronto and nation wide. I think it’s vital for brands to collaborate, as we can positively influence each other and engage in cross-promotion.

To all the amazing stylists out there, please reach out! I have a very simplistic style that works well, but I know there’s always room for enhancement. There are so many talented individuals with the unique ability to transform an outfit, and I would love to partner with you!

I’m someone who enjoys bouncing ideas off others and supporting fellow creatives who share similar values. If you’d like to connect, I’m easy to reach! The best way is to send me a message on Instagram @dukiri_arts. Just let me know you found my Instagram through Bold Journey; it helps me stay organized and avoid confusion.

Let’s create something incredible together!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dukiriapparel.com/
• Instagram: dukiri_arts
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dukiri-apparel/posts/?feedView=all
• Twitter: @dukiriapparel
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dukiriapparel

Image Credits

Models:
Lamar Copeland
Vini Burger
GJ Williams
Moneyy Nguyen (Tiền Nguyễn)
Neff Vhone
Shalom Chianu
Caitleen Sicat

Photographers:
Matt ‘Focus’ Reid
Elle Hudson