Marian Ojiba
Owner of ChinyCouture – Based In Dundee
About the business
A hardworking husband-and-wife team balancing full-time employment and family life alongside their growing fashion venture are set to open the doors to their first city-centre premises, bringing bespoke African design and specialist tailoring services to the heart of Dundee.
Founded by Marian and her husband Justin, ChinyCouture combines creative excellence with strategic business development. Marian leads as the head seamstress and designer, specialising in bespoke African traditional clothing and custom garments, while her husband manages social media marketing and customer engagement, helping the business steadily build a loyal and expanding customer base.
Despite both maintaining full-time jobs and raising a young family, the pair have worked tirelessly to grow their business together. Their shared creativity, determination and commitment to one another have shaped ChinyCouture into a truly family-run business with strong ambitions to become rooted within the Dundee community.
“Building this business while working full time and caring for our family hasn’t always been easy, but it’s something we truly believe in. The support we’ve received from Business Gateway has given us the confidence and structure to grow sustainably. Having our own shop in the city is a huge milestone for us, and we’re excited to serve the local community.”
How Business Gateway has helped
Since April 2024, they have worked closely with Business Gateway to ensure the business was built on solid foundations. Through tailored one-to-one sessions, they accessed expert advice on compliance, planning, pricing, branding and operations, alongside UK-specific start-up guidance aligned with visa requirements.
ChinyCouture officially launched in September 2025 and quickly gained momentum through word of mouth and an increasing online presence.
That growth has now enabled them to secure a city-centre premises, where they will operate five days a week. The space is currently undergoing light renovations and will provide both a practical workshop and a welcoming shop front, raising awareness of their bespoke African clothing and tailoring services for the wider community.
Marian Ojiba, owner, ChinyCouture, said: “Building this business while working full time and caring for our family hasn’t always been easy, but it’s something we truly believe in. The support we’ve received from Business Gateway has given us the confidence and structure to grow sustainably. Having our own shop in the city is a huge milestone for us, and we’re excited to serve the local community.”
Kelly Scott, Business Gateway adviser, said: “Marian and her husband have shown exceptional dedication from day one. They’ve fully engaged with every aspect of the support available, taken on advice and consistently applied it to move their business forward. Their passion, work ethic and clear vision for ChinyCouture have been key to their rapid progress, and it’s fantastic to see them securing city-centre premises and becoming part of Dundee’s vibrant small business community.”
ChinyCouture will officially open its doors on St Andrews Street, Dundee, on the 14th of March.
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