In the new series "MC Muse," savvy women from around the world share their styles, ambitions, and the items they most want to buy right now.

As a child, Whitney Madueke watched from the sidelines as her parents dressed up for weddings and parties in Nigeria. She laughs, "I could tell they were getting ready to go out when my father would put on some pretty background music." She says, "I was fascinated to see how my parents combined traditional Nigerian attire with modern Western items, traditional and Gucci sunglasses."

While studying in England, Madueke realized that her own cultural encounters began to influence her fashion choices, just as her father's had. She began mixing "Nigerian-inspired items (buba blouses, loose-fitting long-sleeved tops, etc.) with jeans. Using her African background and love of fashion, Madueke, 26, launched her eponymous fashion line (opens in new tab), which launched in June with a website (opens in new tab) and Instagram (opens in new tab). (opens in new tab) and Instagram (opens in new tab) in June. Now living in New York, Madueke frequently returns to London to visit her siblings and spends winters with her parents in Nigeria, where her line is based.

Here, we spoke with Madueke about her style, her clothing line, and her favorite designers to shop now.

Marie Claire: How did you get into fashion? [Whitney Madueke: I've been interested in fashion and fashion design since I was a little girl. I wanted to study fashion in college, but I knew my parents would be against it, so I studied law at a university in England. I needed a creative outlet there, so I started a fashion and beauty YouTube channel and Instagram (opens in new tab). What is my life? So I decided to move to New York to study fashion design in Parsons' associate's degree program for professionals. And last year, I started working on launching my own brand, Whitney Madueke.

MC: What inspired your new fashion line?

WM: Nigerian fashion is emblematic of the people, but it is also a testament to the country and its surrounding nature. I wanted to express myself as a Nigerian and an African woman in the fabrics, silhouettes, and vibrant colors.

MC: Tell us about Lagos Fashion Week.

WM: Like New York, Lagos Fashion Week is a great way for the fashion community to connect with each other. Designers use traditional Nigerian fabrics like Adire cloth, Kente cloth, and Akwete cloth to tell their stories through their collections. As a Nigerian fashion designer, I love celebrating the diverse designers who tell the stories of their homeland. Lagos Fashion Week was scheduled for late October this year, but in light of the #endSARS (open in new tab) protests (centered on police brutality in Nigeria), the event was postponed.

MC: How do you get dressed in the morning?

WM: Depending on my mood that day, I tend to gravitate towards bright colors, especially bright primary colors that stand out in a room. I also love versatility and am always looking for basics that can be combined in many different ways.

MC: Who are some of your favorite designers right now?

WM: Social media has made it easier for global designers to have their say. Two of my favorites are Abiola Orsola and Onalaja. Both are black female designers who embody timeless fashion. Their pieces are made from African textiles and also incorporate intricate beading techniques.