Veronica Olukotun, the award-winning CEO and Creative Director of Cosiste Fashion, is making waves across Canada’s fashion industry with her bold, culturally rooted designs and unwavering dedication to community empowerment. Crowned Fashion Designer of the Year at the 2024 AC Awards in Edmonton, Veronica continues to build a legacy that blends style, education, and purpose.

Her journey is a vibrant testament to creativity and resilience. Veronica’s work is defined by her unique ability to fuse African heritage with modern elegance, combining artistry with advanced technical skills acquired through her background in information technology. The result is a fashion philosophy that’s not only visually captivating but socially impactful.

Veronica named her brand Cosiste Fashion in honor of her parents; ‘Cosy’ and ‘Siste’; who instilled in her the values of education, hard work, and self-belief. These values are the foundation of her work, guiding her as she creates designs that celebrate culture, empower communities, and ignite confidence in everyone who wears them.

Her academic achievements are equally notable. Veronica holds dual degrees from Obafemi Awolowo University and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), and a Master’s degree in Information Technology from the University of Lagos. She further refined her fashion and jewelry design skills through prestigious fashion schools and the Lagos Jewelry School, allowing her to master both creative and technical dimensions of her craft.

In addition to her successful fashion line, Veronica leads Cosiste Fashion Academy, where she mentors emerging creatives and provides them with practical tools to thrive in the industry. Her recently published book, Tee-Craft Blueprint, offers aspiring designers a comprehensive guide to T-shirt design and entrepreneurship, further cementing her role as a thought leader and educator in the fashion world.

“Winning the AC Award was an honor, but the real reward is seeing others grow through what I’ve built,” says Veronica Olukotun. “Fashion is more than style, it’s a platform for transformation, education, and self-expression. My goal is to continue using my work to inspire, empower, and uplift others.”

Veronica’s work has graced major cultural events like Africarnival, and her philanthropic efforts, such as donating bespoke African-print jackets to Hope Mission, highlight her deep commitment to giving back. As a mother of three boys and an active community mentor, she embodies the balance between personal purpose and public impact.

With accolades, a growing platform, and a heart rooted in service, Veronica Olukotun is not just designing fashion, she’s designing futures.