Our Studio
The Display
As a senior art major at the College of Wooster, I had the opportunity to host my own exhibition at Ebert Art Gallery. My exhibition juxtaposed sculptures with projected wall images. The store today stands as an exact replica of that exhibition. My sculptures, now on mannequins serve as the central focal point, flanked by photography housed in frame tvs.
The TVs
I have always believed in the strength of the creative community in Ghana. Growing up, art wasn't a thing that one aspired to be, actually it was frowned upon. Being an immigrant, it has always been important to carry my flag proudly and within that I committed to shooting all our editorial campaigns in Accra, Ghana using a full Ghanaian team..
The Color
I always had this dream of people relaxing and feeling calm once they stepped into the store. While deciding on colors, I looked within my own journey. For years I lived in a very colorful home and always felt as if my brain was in constant chaos. When trying to live a more balanced life, my therapist suggested I limited my visual palette to neutrals and naturally occurring colors. The effect was phenomenal and allowed my surroundings to become a canvas for calmness and expression. This color palette is one I proudly brought into KHOI, a gentle reminder to our customers to relax and breathe.
The Smell
Before KHOI, many people knew me for my luxury candle brand AIYA. For four years I enjoyed creating scents with a deeper meaning, often inspired by people and places. Before deciding to close that brand down, I created one last scent… Ma Cherie (a scent inspired by my mother and named after the pet name she has given me for years).
Today that scent lives exclusively within KHOI and is also sprinkled in our packaging.
Our photographers have included: Gilbert Asante, Shafic Hijazi and Narh Fiifi Jnr.
The Experience
The Curation Table
Most of everything I do is inspired by my mother, and the curation table is one of my favorite experiences within the store. As a little girl I would sit by my mum’s vanity and watch her play dress up, often asking me for advice on which piece to add where. The play-like feeling is one that we re-imagined within the store. Today this space is one that fosters community and that sisterhood feeling…all while shopping.
The Mirrors
I have had a very open journey when it comes to my mental health. As with any journey it has had its highs and lows, but one thing that kept me going were little notes I would leave on my mirror each day. I knew how challenging mirrors can be for anyone who has been trained to self deprecate, pick at themselves and not fully appreciate who we truly are. To make each customer feel less alone, I brought some of the words from my post it notes right onto the mirrors, giving them a permanent and special home.
The Icon Wall
My journey to being an entrepreneur is not one that has been easy or smooth. Along the way, many women have continued to inspire me. I dedicated our largest wall to these women who will always be icons to me. These pieces were commissioned to Ukranaian artist Elehna, a small ode to helping support artists during a time when I wish the world had nothing but peace.
We invite you to explore our beautiful store located at
2128 North Damen Avenue, Chicago. Open on Saturdays (10am-4pm) and Sundays (12-4pm).