Case study: Marion Ayonote

LDA programme connects designer to creative knowledge

A London designer will soon have a new range of handbags on the market   after utilising support and advice from a part funded LDA programme, Knowledge Connect. This programme is also part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Marion Ayonote began designing in 1998 and went in to full production with her line of shoes in 2000.

An idea to expand her range to incorporate handbags, coupled with advice to diversify products because of the recession, led Marion to investigate options on how best to proceed in creating a uniquely textiled collection of handbags.

After talking to staff at the London Business School, Marion was put in touch with Knowledge Connect, a £5.4 million LDA programme which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) offering a free service to London’s SMEs supported.

 Knowledge Connect is designed to help businesses of all kinds tap into and exploit the wealth of expertise held in London’s universities and research centres in order to innovate and become more competitive.

"The type of bags I wanted developed were predominantly vintage, designs with a contemporary twist, the main fabric is Aso-oke, a traditional fabric originally worn by the Yoruba’s, hand made by local weavers in Nigeria. I visited a couple of factories in the UK to see if they could prototype the designs. But they found the fabric difficult to work with," she said.

"That’s when I went to Knowledge Connect, who put me in touch with Prescott & Mackay School of Design.

"They became my Knowledge Connect partner and together we sought alternative methods to the production process."

Marion's work with her Knowledge Connect partner helped her to win a national award.  

"I received a special recognition award at the British Female Inventors and Innovators Network 2009 Awards in July 2009 for my Icon Bag Series," she said.

"But the biggest reward for me is having my first collection of handbags ready for an Autumn launch.

"I could not have done this without the help of Knowledge Connect and my Knowledge Connect partner. The assistance I received was invaluable.I would strongly recommend Knowledge Connect to any entrepreneur wanting to develop innovative products."