FASHION
MEET REIGN STUDIO: YOUR 2026 SCALEUP WINNER
By Flo Bellinger, 12 October 2026
Nothing beats the feeling of discovering an emerging brand. From finding innovative new pieces to the fulfilment that comes from supporting up-and-coming designers, it's one of the best parts of being a fashion lover.
That’s why we founded the ScaleUP incubator programme in 2023 in partnership with the (Fashion) Minority Report – to create a platform that bridges the gap between the fashion industry and ethnic minority-owned brands. Through the programme, brand founders received workshops, masterclasses and 121 mentoring from industry professionals, and presented their collections to a panel of judges for the chance to win £20,000 to support their business.
Picture: Agata Noweta
SO, WHO IS THE 2026 SCALEUP WINNER?
MEET REIGN STUDIO
Picture: Agata Noweta
FACT FILE
LAUNCHED: August 2019
FOUNDER: Kuku Nukajam
ORIGIN: United Kingdom
IN THREE WORDS: Disruptive, considered, empowering
KEY STYLE: Maya Bralette and boxer shorts
Hey Kuku! When was the moment you realised there was a gap in the market only Reign Studio could fill?
It was on my honeymoon in Thailand in 2008. I remember wearing a bikini that didn’t fit me properly and feeling really self-conscious despite being on such a special trip. As a fuller-bust woman, I’d always struggled to find swimwear that fitted my proportions without compromising on style, but that moment was the final straw. I decided there and then that I was going to create the pieces I wished I'd had with me. That was really where Reign Studio began.
Picture: ASOS
Reign Studio Maya Fuller Bust bralette in green, £62
Winning ScaleUP is a huge achievement. What was going through your mind when Reign Studio was announced as the winner?
I honestly couldn’t believe it! I wanted to win so badly, but I also genuinely believed in the brands and founders in my cohort, so hearing Reign Studio announced was such a shock. It meant so much because it felt like all the years of hard work, intentionality and sacrifice that had gone into building the business were being recognised.
Was there one piece of advice from the programme that changed how you think about your business?
During one of our brand strategy sessions, Alistair Gibbs (Brand Strategy Consultant) asked us: ‘Are you trying to join the club or leave the pack behind?’ It really stuck with me and made me reflect on my ambitions for Reign Studio. I don’t just want us to be another option in the market, I want us to bring something genuinely different to it.
Picture: ASOS
Reign Studio Conna high waisted boxer brief in grey, £35
When someone tries Reign Studio for the first time, what feeling do you hope they leave with?
I want them to feel seen and empowered. I want them to look in the mirror and genuinely love what they see – not just because the pieces fit, but because they feel beautiful, confident and completely themselves.
How did you come up with the name Reign Studio?
I wanted women to feel like they could reign in their own bodies, with the confidence and authority of a queen. The name felt empowering and reflected how I want every woman to feel when wearing our pieces. Ultimately, we’re not just designing lingerie and swimwear, we’re designing confidence through the pieces we create.
You taught yourself how to become a designer. What was that process like?
A lot of trial and error! I’ve learnt that design is as much about resilience as it is about having a vision. You have to be willing to keep iterating, trust your instincts and accept that you won’t get everything right the first time. You learn by doing, and every mistake teaches you something.
Picture: ASOS
With the £20,000 prize and onboarding to ASOS ahead, what are you most excited to unlock for the business?
I’m most excited about bringing Reign Studio to a wider audience and giving fuller-bust women shopping on ASOS even more choice. I can’t wait for new customers to discover the brand, fall in love with what we’re creating and hopefully grow with us.The prize money also gives us the opportunity to invest in the next stage of Reign Studio’s growth, which is incredibly exciting.
