Story so far.....

From Passion to Purpose: The Okuh Story

Founded in 2016 by friends and colleagues Mackinlay Smith and Tim Cole, Okuh was born out of a desire to break free from the monotony of uninspired corporate fashion. Both Mackinlay and Tim were disillusioned by their work in large fashion retail, where individuality and sustainability often took a backseat.

The idea for Okuh took shape in a small flat in Melbourne, Australia, where Mackinlay was working as a designer. Upon his return to the UK, the duo united around their shared appreciation for contemporary Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics—all fueled by their mutual love of electronic music.

As the brand began to grow, operations moved from a bedroom flat to a garage, enabling them to experiment with color, washes, fits, and innovative sourcing methods. Okuh’s ethos revolves around crafting small batches of unique designs, avoiding mass production to keep each piece fresh and original.

At Okuh, sustainability is more than a buzzword; it’s a core mission. The brand is committed to integrating eco-conscious practices into every step of the design process, finding creative ways to repurpose recycled materials while delivering effortlessly cool and modern pieces.