Meet Ekemini Ekwere

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ekemini Ekwere and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ekemini, how do you think about risk?
My business, Hwy6Studios, helps the community by delivering high-quality events and offering our expertise in fashion design, film production, photography, and modeling. Over the past year, we’ve become a trusted pillar in Houston’s culture, thanks to the success of our Phase 2 and Phase 3 pop-up shops, which attracted over 1,000 visitors and helped clothing vendors generate significant revenue, with some averaging $5,000 in sales.

As a production company, we’ve worked on creative campaigns for fashion brands like FrndsNfoes, Sequoiah, and Deluxe Hills, and recently shot a short film for the Space City Nupes of the University of Houston. These projects reflect our commitment to helping local brands and organizations elevate their storytelling and reach new audiences.

Our social platform brings together models, creatives, and influencers, allowing those with smaller platforms to gain exposure on a larger scale. Hwy6Archives, our fashion and garment design division, offers top-tier design work for streetwear brands. With my nine years of design experience, we provide unique pre-made designs, commission work, and creative direction to those needing guidance. Many of our designs have become standout pieces in the streetwear community.

Following Hwy6Archives, we will soon launch Hwy6Warehouse, where we’ll offer clothing manufacturing services, including direct-to-garment (DTG) printing and other production capabilities. This will provide designers and brands with local, high-quality manufacturing options, supporting Houston’s creative and fashion industries by helping them bring their visions to life.

Hwy6Casting, launched in August 2024, is a platform dedicated to model development and providing opportunities for talent to gain exposure and work with brands. Since our September casting call, we’ve amassed over 17,000 profile engagements on Instagram, reflecting the growing demand for new talent in the fashion and creative industries. Hwy6Casting helps brands collaborate with our models, while also empowering individuals to build their portfolios and establish themselves in the industry.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art story humbly began with creating cool wallpapers of my favorite football athletes on Microsoft PowerPoint. This led me to explore Adobe Photoshop, where I started an Instagram page called mm.logocentral. There, I sold sports profile pictures and logos for Madden Mobile coins. In 2016, I rebranded to TheLogoCentral, and for the next five years, I sold graphics for real money, successfully completing over 6,000 logo designs. I had the incredible opportunity to work with some of my favorite YouTubers, like MegaMcqueen and ChristianAdamg.

However, as the niche community of sports logos became stagnant, I pivoted to a broader creative platform with @eekeminii, my current page. The years of design experience I gained allowed me to seamlessly transition into fashion and streetwear design in 2020, a field that became increasingly popular among my peers.

One important lesson I’ve learned along the way is to always save your work in the cloud. I recently experienced a significant setback when one of my external hard drives corrupted, containing a lot of archival footage and old PSD files that I may never access again.

I want the world to know that Hwy6Studios is a black-owned platform dedicated to the next generation of creatives who aspire to pave their own way. I’m excited to continue growing my brand and providing opportunities for others in the creative community.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting, here’s how I’d show them the best of Houston:

Day 1: Start with brunch at The Breakfast Klub for chicken and waffles, then chill at Post HTX for food and rooftop views.
Day 2: Grab Korean spicy chicken at Kim’s Tea House, then explore the Museum District.
Day 3: Catch a vibe downtown, visit Discovery Green, grab a Trill Burger for lunch, and have dinner at Pappadeaux.
Day 4: Run around Buffalo Bayou Park, then enjoy Cajun-Vietnamese crawfish at Crawfish & Noodles.
Day 5: Shop at The Galleria, grab Crave Suya from the food truck park, then hit Midtown for drinks and nightlife.
Day 6: Explore Chinatown for ramen and end with a rooftop movie downtown.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to give my shoutout to our Chief Creative Officer, Jahiree Pittman. Jahiree joined the team in November 2023, and his impact has been transformative. On set, his sharp wit and creativity consistently spark a dynamic exchange between us, allowing us to build on innovative ideas and bring them to life. Beyond his creative contributions, Jahiree’s sales expertise has significantly contributed to my personal and professional growth. His mentorship and collaborative spirit have been instrumental in our success.

Website: https://www.hwy6studios.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eekeminii/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekemini-ekwere-ab9ab51b4

Twitter: https://x.com/ekdsgn

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3EYz3mtSoDCECNNz_eHuxg 

Image Credits
@johnaileru on Instagram