About

Zakee Shariff Studio is a creative studio founded in 1998 by artist and designer, Zakee Shariff. The studio is located in the industrial area of Park Royal, London NW10, where Zakee creates printed textiles, fashion collections, fine art, commercial art, illustrations, and a diverse range of unique products available through her web shop or by commission. This need to coexist between art and design has remained central to her practice throughout her career.

Zakee was raised in London by her mother of Indian and East African descent and her stepfather, who was from New York, USA. She spent four years of her childhood living by the ocean in Pakistan, where she developed a profound love for nature and the ocean.

Zakee draws upon her ancestry and weaves her spirituality, love of travel, adventure, music, street culture, and the power of healing through beauty into all her work as a creative and transformation coach. Everything she does aims to empower and touch the hearts and emotions of others. Zakee is passionate about connecting her life force with that of others. 

Growing up in a family immersed in fashion, textile design, business, and manufacturing, Zakee was surrounded by art, colour, and music. Zakee’s mother came to the UK from Africa at the age of 16, and she and her stepfather taught her the freedom of working for herself. Zakee started her first business at age 13, running a stall in Camden Town selling leftover garments from her parent’s manufacturing business. That experience sparked a deeper love for fashion, street culture, and entrepreneurship.

In 1998, Zakee launched her own fashion collection, Zakee Shariff Clothing after a friend encouraged her to start one. It was a huge adventure, resulting in 14 designer clothing collections, fashion shows, and exhibitions. She sold to clients across the globe and secured creative representation in the UK, Japan, and the US. She has worked extensively in collaborations and on license projects with a diverse range of clients and individuals.

Zakee returned to fashion in 2014, creating made-to-order collections. This approach allows Zakee to maintain a sense of freedom in her life, and honour her deep love of Mother Earth, by not overproducing. The studio’s aim in all its output is to do so as sustainably as it can, and will minimise impact where it can.  

As an artist, Zakee has had three solo shows and exhibited her artwork in the UK, Japan, Dubai, France, and Switzerland. She creates linear drawings and abstract artworks using paint, ink, and silkscreen-printing. She channels her art through spiritual connection, aiming to touch hearts, create beauty and evoke an emotional connection to support healing. Zakee also delves into relationships and power dynamics through her paintings. Zakee has a natural capacity to take something challenging or difficult and turn it into something beautiful and poetic.

After training as a life coach in 2009, Zakee founded her creative coaching and mentoring practice, Dream Forward. She works one-on-one with clients who are creatives and solo-preneurs. Zakee also facilitates small groups where women are supported to share, feel seen and heard, and step into their mastery.