Marion Ayonote
Founded in 2000, Marion Ayonote’s namesake brand has become a red carpet staple, not to mention a favourite with celebrities like Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Gabrielle Union, to name a few. Refined, yet modern and edgy, the shoes are distinctive due to the use of metallics, vivid colours, exotic materials and eye-catching shapes, while the handbags come with classy clean lines, discernible stitching and customised hardware. What’s more, with the finest materials at hand, each product is hand finished by skilled craftsmen in Italy and England, the latter being where the brand that’s mostly known for its feminine footwear and handbags is headquartered.
The 'Ghard' tote
Lagos-born Ayonote, tells AboutHer how travelling, her passion for the arts, visiting flea markets and watching documentaries have helped inspire her. The entrepreneur with a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Hand Making Handbags from the prestigious Cordwainers College in London also talks about the trends she would love to go away or come back. Plus, we ask Ayonote about her recent foray into menswear and her take on Arab women.
The 'Allegra Club Classics' clutch
The 'Gliton' shoe
How did you get into this field?
From an early age I was inspired by fashion, the theatre, classical music and art. I also travelled often with my parents and the cultural experiences influenced my design work through the textures and colours.
The 'Storm' doctor bag
You’re still an avid traveller, but what other pastimes help you find inspiration?
Rummaging through vintage finds in flea markets, visiting art galleries and museums and watching documentaries all help me.
The 'Aluna' shoulder bag
The 'Ichika' pump
What do you think has helped make your label “an accessory lover’s dream?”
I hope it’s the design choices and styling.
What’s the one recurring trend you wish could just go away?
In footwear at the moment, I think chunky platforms.
And which retro trend do you wish would come bacK?
I would love to see Mary Janes with a 40mm cone heel.
The 'Apple' shoe
What do you think you would be doing if you weren’t in design?
I would probably be an Art Curator.
What’s one of the best design/creative/business pieces of advice you have been given?
I received some great business advice from Jimmy Choo that has helped me.
The 'Arabella Club Classics' clutch
Talking about advice, wedding season is in full swing, do you have some accessorising tips for brides?
They should let everything else but the shoes be white.
The 'Conqueror' pump
You recently created a menswear collection. Which challenges did you face?
I worked with a very experienced team in central Italy, which was used to traditional methods of shoemaking, I wanted a really modern collection for my debut men’s line, so we had to meet in the middle. I changed the curve on the traditional Derby, which was a bit of a taboo, but that’s how I wanted it. We used metallics, horse hair, glossy leather and lined the shoes with bright red lambskin. It turned out to be very successful on the red carpet and in stores; the collection was sold out within a short space of time.
The 'Discovery' shoe
Do you follow any regional designers on social media?
I follow Elie Saab.
The 'Emperor' shoe
The 'Issoria' clutch
How would you describe the modern Arab woman?
I would say refined, confident and beautiful.
