Nigerian fashion designer Veekee James has responded to people questioning why her husband, Femi Atere, regularly joins her at public events.

The designer addressed the criticism in a Snapchat video on Sunday after a social media user claimed that Atere appeared not to have an independent life.

Veekee rejected the suggestion, explaining that she and her husband deliberately chose to share their experiences and spend much of their time together.

“Yes, my husband does not have a life of his own. His life is my life, the same way I don’t have a life of my own.

“My life is his life. He is me and I am him. Together we are like padlock and key,” she said.

According to her, marriage involves two people joining their lives rather than keeping each other at a distance.

She told those uncomfortable with their closeness to handle their own relationships differently when they get married.

“When you marry your own, separate him. When you marry your own, remove him from your life and keep him somewhere else.

“You don’t know what marriage is. His life is mine, my life is his. Everything he is, is mine,” she said.

Veekee also made it clear that online comments would not stop the couple from appearing together at social functions.

She said people should expect to see more of them at events and other public engagements.

“You’ve not seen anything. You will see me and my husband anywhere possible, everywhere possible, you will see us,” she said.

Concluding her response with humour, the designer called Atere her “personal handbag” as she shared moments featuring them together.