2009: Won a special recognition
award from BFIIN British female
inventors and innovator's network.
Born and raised in Nigeria, she
attended the University of
Maiduguri, where she graduated
with a BA in History. Her parents
recognised and nurtured her talents
from an early age.
These were mainly in the Arts from
private piano lessons to theatrical
performances, fine art and literature.
She is well travelled and draws
inspiration from her journeys.
Innovation continues to be of
genuine interest to Marion Ayonote.
Engaging in design projects such as
Knowledge Connect which was part
funded by the L.D.A (London
Development Agency) and the
European Union regional
development fund, the BDI (British
Design Innovation) and also private
design collaborations.
She has been invited to exhibit at a
number of international events i.e.
Tranoi Paris, GDS, Moss Shoes, South
Africa fashion week, Moda Calzaldo,
and many more.
She recently exhibited her
Spring/Summer Collection simply
titled “Sanctified” which is part of her
affordable range brand at the
London Fashion Week.
We caught up with her recently to
talk about her work and
inspirations…
1.What inspired you to become a
designer?
My Mother was a main influence, she
had an amazing wardrobe and my
sisters and I would role play after
school wearing her dresses, shoes,
hair pieces and loved every bit of it. I
studied the works of Vivier, Perugia
and Blahnik and knew it had to be
shoes.
2.You worked with Italian Artisans
for over 10 years, how did you feel
the time was right to start your own
design company?
I made a decision and just went for it.
3.You must have experienced a
number of setbacks as you've built
your brand. Please outline just one
turning point that encouraged you
to keep pressing forward.
Yes there were a few challenges as
with anything else. I had invested so
much time, resources and made
sacrifices… quitting was not an
option.
4.Can you give us an idea of the
design process - for instance, do you
sketch first, paint, or go straight into
working with materials when you're
starting a design?
Sometimes I start with a simple
sketch and make a selection from the
colour cards for the relevant season.
I never paint as I do not find it
necessary. Alternatively, I source
materials and components and
develop a collection from my
JASMINE'S PLACE
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