Kehinde Bello

Meet Kehinde. Inspired by his grandfather, Kehinde created a luxury streetwear brand in his home country of Nigeria and studied a postgraduate course at Herts to learn more about leading a successful business.

Starting Outterspace

Fashion is in Kehinde's blood. In the 1980s, his grandfather was known for selling quality textiles and caps (known as awo caps), including to musicians, high chiefs and kings in Nigeria. Inspired by his grandfather's success and love of fashion, Kehinde decided to follow in his footsteps. In 2020, he co-founded Outterspace, a Lagos-based luxury streetwear brand, with his twin brother and cousin.

After the launch of the brand's OIL collection in December 2020, Outterspace has gone from strength to strength. Kehinde and his fellow co-founders have worked with famous artists, including Davido and Zlatan, and the brand had a shoot in New York's Times Square with TG Omori and a collection at 2024 London Fashion Week. The success of Outterspace has gained global interest for the brand, and it has been featured in British Vogue and Fashion United, spotlighting African fashion.

Kehinde's role at Outterspace is to oversee the company's manufacturing processes, including organising production schedules, working with eco-friendly materials and ensuring meticulous quality that defines a luxury product. Keen to continue the success of his business, Kehinde sought to learn more about leading a brand, which brought him to Herts in 2022.

His time at Herts

Kehinde wanted a postgraduate course that fit his professional interests, and MSc Strategic Marketing with Brand Leadership did just that. He learnt vital skills, including how to understand the market better, develop and implement effective marketing strategies, and create a strong brand identity. Kehinde adds, 'We were shown real-world applications of marketing strategies and worked on assignments that mirrored industry scenarios. These were tasks that any brand manager would enjoy working on.

'International students like me can adjust well to Herts because it is a multicultural institution with excellent facilities. The on-campus fashion week was a particular highlight; it allowed international students to express their heritage with traditional attire, creating a sense of community.’

Kehinde admits he found it challenging to speak in front of a large crowd before coming to Herts, but his confidence grew as he completed presentations and group tasks. 'I overcame my fear of speaking in public, and it's no longer an issue for me!'

Kehinde’s advice

Kehinde is keen to pursue academia alongside his work with Outterspace and become a management expert. He advises other Herts students and graduates to 'Manage your time well. Stay organised and remember to practice self-care. Keep focused, set realistic goals, and seek help when needed.'