fashion interview
Nigerian born Mary Ononokpono, 26, creator of African-inspired
Mononoko designs is currently studying for a BA in Fashion design at
Manchester Metropolitan University. Here she tells Afua Acheampong
how she turned things around from frustrating to fabulous.
O
ne of the hardest parts Life inspires me. Movement, sustainable high end fashion
about getting into the rhythm and colour, I love all things with a conscience that causes
business was finding vibrant. Art is my first love which consumers to actually think about
the funding and managing to is expressed in all of my print and the processes used in the end
get everything off the ground textile design. I am also inspired products that they wear.
with a young child. As a lone by world history and events with My new collection Once Upon
parent with very little support particular reference to African a Time in Africa was inspired by
from my daughter’s father, I have history. Literature and music - in the bicentenary of the abolition of
been blessed enough to have particular that which makes me the slave trade and the fact that
Ligaya
the support of my family and a think on a deeper level also informs the fashion industry as we know
close knit group of people who all of my design ideas. it today wouldn’t actually exist if it
have been encouraging me to Fabulous to me means really weren’t for the slave cotton trade.
continue moving forward. I spent living in the magic of life. It means This year I will be working very
a large part of last year moving appreciating all the beauty that closely with Silk Photography and
from place to place in temporary surrounds us all on a daily basis Jed Techniques (JT2) which are
accommodation and I think it was and enjoying all the little things Manchester based companies in
the instability of it all that has made that make us feel good. Fabulous the areas of photography and hair
this quite a slow grind which is to me also means individuality and styling. We worked together with
something that not a lot of people not being afraid to go against the Miss Black Britain last year and will
have known about. I went through grain. be putting forward images for this
a low period where I was suffering year’s Afro Hair and Beauty Show.
from depression but my daughter, Transforming her business I will also have a stall at Alternative
family and friends have given me I’ve recently revamped my whole Fashion Week where I will mainly
the strength to move through the business model and I’m taking be selling pieces from the new
situation. Mononoko in the direction of being collection and from my diffusion
The highest point of my career eco and trade friendly. The signs line of T-Shirts in collaboration with
so far was definitely taking part in are all around us - the fashion Token Black.
the Ghana 50 festival at the V&A industry is the third largest industry The next big thing for this
last year. It was a real eye opener worldwide and is responsible for year will hopefully be showing my
and turning point in making me creating much pollution in terms Spring /Summer 09 at Kulture 2
realise I am more than capable of of dyes and pesticides used in Couture in November.
making this work and taking my cotton production for example.
business to the next level. Life was The whole ethos behind the Check out Mary’s designs at
ds by Afua Acheampong
definitely becoming fabulous! Mononoko brand is creating www.mononoko.com
or
W
32
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40