Kelechi Mpamaugo

Kelechi Mpamaugo is a Nigerian-American designer and founder of KOAT, a cross-cultural luxury brand that bridges Nigerian heritage and contemporary street culture. Raised in Maryland as a first-generation Nigerian, she built a multidisciplinary creative foundation across graphic design, photography, and art direction-directing acclaimed campaigns for Adidas and Gatorade that earned Clios, Cannes Lions, and a spot on Adweek's Creative 100. Founded in 2021, KOAT emerged from her desire for creative autonomy and deep connection to outerwear as self-expression. The brand quickly gained attention through community-driven guerrilla presentations, including a flash-mob show in Washington Square Park that led to her acceptance at Central Saint Martins for her MA in Fashion. Despite profound personal losses during her studies, including the deaths of her best friend and father, Kelechi presented her critically acclaimed FW25 collection Home and World at London Fashion Week in 2025. What sets KOAT apart is that the brand redefines streetwear by grounding it in tailoring and Nigerian heritage, creating a distinct design perspective that honors cultural specificity while remaining accessible.