Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Akiré Niqué. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Akiré, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?

When I first started in this industry, I came in as a model just taking photos and learning the basics. From there, I began attending castings and eventually landed my first runway show here in Tampa.

After that experience, I realized I wanted more than just walking the runway for a few seconds—I wanted to be part of what actually builds the show. That idea is what pushed me to start thinking beyond modeling and into production and event creation.

The next step came when I met my now close friend, J Alexander. He shared his vision of building an agency, and I knew I wanted to be part of that. From there, we started putting things into motion by building a team and organizing our own castings.

As we continued taking those steps, we eventually produced our first fashion show. In the beginning, I supported the team in more of a coaching capacity—helping models with confidence, walks, and preparation. But even then, I found myself naturally drawn to the bigger picture of how the entire production came together.

That’s when I started stepping into a Creative Director role within our agency. From there, I became involved in developing campaigns, test shoots, and full-scale events. One of the most defining projects I helped bring to life was Tampa Connect Fashion Week—a three-day fashion event across three shows and three venues.

To execute that, I helped take the idea from concept to reality by working through all the moving parts of production. That included building runway flow, planning the structure of each show, coordinating lighting and music timing, organizing venue layouts, and making sure media and VIP placement were intentional. I also worked closely with designers to ensure their vision was fully represented on the runway.

Before any of that could come together, there were many foundational steps—casting models, confirming designers, coordinating schedules, and aligning the entire team. Being part of each stage, from planning to execution, is what allowed us to successfully bring that vision to life.

After going through that experience, something really clicked for me. It sparked a deeper drive in me to realize I am much more than just a model—I am a creative. I am someone who can take an idea and actually bring it to life. I execute. If someone has a vision or something they want done, I’m the person who makes it happen.

That realization was really the birth of my creative identity and what I now call yesRockkeedirects. From there, I started expanding into different events, using my creative direction skills across multiple spaces. I’ve worked with upcoming clothing brands and other groups that needed production support for their shows and events, helping them bring structure, vision, and execution together.

Akiré, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

For those who may not know me, my name is Akiré, though many people in the industry know me as Rockkee, the creative force behind YesRockkeeDirects. I work in the fashion, media, and creative production space as a creative director and producer, specializing in helping ideas come to life in a way that feels elevated, intentional, and unforgettable.

My journey in this industry may have started in front of the camera as a model, but what truly shaped me was discovering how much I loved the creative process behind the scenes. I became deeply interested in what makes an experience actually connect with people—the structure, the visuals, the energy, the timing, and the storytelling that most people do not even realize are being built around them. That curiosity eventually turned into a passion for directing, producing, and creating full experiences rather than simply participating in them.

Through YesRockkeeDirects, I provide creative direction, fashion show production, runway development, event coordination, media planning, and overall brand experience support. My work often includes helping structure live productions, coordinating model talent, assisting with visual campaigns, organizing venue flow, overseeing key production details, and helping brands create content and experiences that leave a lasting impression. In short, I help creatives, brands, and businesses take an idea that may only exist in their head and turn it into something real, polished, and impactful.

One of the biggest issues many clients face is that they have vision, but they do not always have the systems, direction, or production understanding to execute that vision at a high level. That is where I step in. I help bridge creativity with strategy. I am able to take scattered moving pieces and organize them into one cohesive experience that makes sense visually, emotionally, and professionally.

What sets me apart is that I do not just focus on aesthetics—I focus on the full feeling of a production. Anyone can put together an event or a runway, but not everyone can create a moment that people remember. I pay attention to details that shape audience experience: the flow, the energy, the presentation, the timing, the visual impact, and the behind-the-scenes organization that keeps everything functioning smoothly. I believe strong creative work should not only look good, it should feel seamless.

I have had the opportunity to contribute to major creative spaces including New York Fashion Week, Miami Swim Week, Tampa Connect Fashion Week, and other collaborative productions with emerging brands, designers, and media companies. Those experiences have allowed me to sharpen my standards, grow under pressure, and understand what it truly takes to operate in high-demand creative environments while still delivering excellence.

What I am most proud of is the fact that I have grown into a creator who can do more than simply exist in artistic spaces—I help shape them. YesRockkeeDirects represents more than a name; it represents trust in execution, bold creativity, and the confidence to build something from vision to reality. I take pride in being someone people can come to when they want their concept to feel organized, intentional, and larger than life.

The main thing I want potential clients, collaborators, and supporters to know is that I am deeply committed to the quality of what I create. I care about details, I care about presentation, and I care about making sure every project has purpose. When people work with me, they are not just getting someone to help produce an event—they are getting someone who is fully invested in making sure the final result speaks, connects, and leaves an impression.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is watching something that once existed only in someone’s mind become a real, living experience—and then getting to witness their reaction when they finally see it come to life.

There is something incredibly powerful about that moment. A lot of times, clients, designers, or brands come to me with an idea that they can see in their head, but they may not know how to fully express it, organize it, or present it in a way that others can feel. My job is to help take that vision, protect it, shape it, and then give it a platform to breathe. Being able to do that for someone is deeply fulfilling.

I remember one show in particular where I was responsible for curating the runway walk and overall presentation for a designer who was debuting his collection for the very first time. As a designer, your work is personal—it is your creativity, your sacrifices, your story, and in many ways a piece of your identity. So naturally, there were nerves and high emotions attached to that moment.

He explained to me what he wanted people to feel when his garments hit the runway, and I took that vision seriously. I studied it, molded it, and made sure every detail—from the model presentation to the pacing and energy—reflected what he was trying to say through his art.

When the show finally happened and the music played, the models walked, and the audience connected with the pieces exactly the way he had imagined, I watched his entire face change. By the end of it, he walked up to me with tears in his eyes and gave me the biggest hug. He was overwhelmed with gratitude because he felt seen, understood, and represented.

That moment stayed with me.

It reminded me that what I do is so much bigger than helping put on a show. I am helping people communicate pieces of themselves that they may not have the words to explain. Art is a voice for so many people. Fashion is a voice. Visual storytelling is a voice. Creativity speaks when people sometimes cannot.

So when I am trusted with someone’s vision, I do not take that lightly. I see it as helping them amplify something meaningful.

Honestly, those are the moments that give me chills, because they make me feel like I am walking in exactly what God placed me here to do. I truly believe my gift is not just creating beautiful productions—it is helping people be heard through what they create. If I can be the megaphone that helps someone’s art, passion, or message reach people the way they intended, that is the greatest reward I could ever ask for.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Absolutely. I think one of the biggest examples of resilience in my journey has honestly been learning how to keep creating while fighting battles within myself that most people could not see.

For a long time, I struggled heavily with my mental health. I dealt with intense anxiety, overthinking, depression, and periods where even simple things felt emotionally overwhelming. On top of that, I spent years in a relationship that was mentally draining and deeply discouraging. I was pouring blood, sweat, and tears into the work I was trying to build, but instead of feeling supported, I often felt minimized. The very things I was proud of were made to seem small, insignificant, or unimportant.

After hearing that long enough, it started to do what negativity does best—it became internal. I began questioning whether my work really mattered. I started wondering if maybe I was not doing enough, not moving fast enough, or maybe not talented enough. And when you are already fighting anxiety and depression, that kind of discouragement can make you feel completely stuck.

There were seasons where I felt disconnected from myself and from my purpose. I knew I had vision, I knew I had passion, but mentally I was exhausted. It is very hard to build for other people when you are privately trying to convince yourself that you are still worth building too.

What changed for me was finally realizing that I could not heal in the same environment that was constantly feeding my self-doubt. Through prayer, family, and making the hard decision to walk away from what was breaking me down, I began taking intentional steps toward protecting my peace and rebuilding my confidence.

That process was not overnight. It took time, discipline, and a lot of internal work. But little by little, I started seeing myself differently. I started trusting my gifts again. I started understanding that what I carry has value, even if everyone around me cannot recognize it in the moment.

I believe that season is exactly what built my resilience, because now I create from a place of understanding. I know what it feels like to feel invisible. I know what it feels like to question whether what you are doing even matters. And because I know that feeling, I go even harder when I am helping other people bring their vision to life.

I really want people to feel seen. I want them to feel like what they created matters. I want them to feel like their voice deserves to take up space, even if life or people have tried to convince them otherwise.

So yes, resilience for me was not just surviving difficult moments—it was deciding that those moments were not going to silence me. If anything, they made me louder, more intentional, and more determined to help others shine too.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Yesrockkeedirects._

Image Credits

Bigbrookvisuals
Fmphotos
Tifphotographylhld