GRADUATION DAY at the University of East London was a particularly proud day for fashion student Bunmi Olaye.

On the same day that she received her diploma, the creative director of high fashion brand Bunmi Koko was named as one of the most influential people of African or Caribbean descent in the UK.

Bunmi is in a list of 100 people in the JP Morgan Black Power List 2011 that she presented with her partner Francis to UEL’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Patrick McGhee.

Clothes designer Bumni said: “It’s a thrill to be recognised for my work like this, we’ve all worked incredibly hard at Bumni Koko to launch the brand but we don’t have the luxury of being able to rest on our laurels.

“Right now, we’re busy working on our shows for London and Paris fashion weeks next year.

“2010 has been an incredible rollercoaster year for us, but I think 2011 will be the year we really establish ourselves as a global brand.”

The Bunmi Koko clothing line was established a year ago, receiving praise from the likes of Michelle Obama, Nelson Mandela and Gordon Brown.