Mary Martin London is an international fashion artist and a creative designer whose works have been featured on BBC News, Spice TV Africa, The Telegraph, The Apprentice and other international news channels and blogs. Mary Martin London has created garments for notable figures and celebrities across the globe for red carpet events. Mary Martin London is an incredibly multi-talented, dynamic eccentric with an amazing personality - why has she been kept hidden away from us?
Mary’s life story may well be a global template for a ‘From Rags to Riches’ story: Mary is the living embodiment of ‘Cinderella’, ‘Educating Rita’ or Mark Twain’s quote, ‘I never let the school system interfere with my education’.
Mary was born in Cardiff, South Wales during the sixties. Mary never finished her junior years in school and describes some of the disturbing experiences she suffered at the hand of other school children. Her mother meanwhile used to sew, and Mary stayed home and just picked it up naturally simply by watching her. Mary, seemingly, had an eye and a gift for design and began making her own outfits.
Being described as a bit of a wild child and not being one to follow the rules, Mary decided to make the move from Wales to London in the early eighties, where fashion and music were at their height. Mary was attracted to the freedom of fashion in London where she began her career in the music business as a singer mixing among the music scene.
It was at this time that Mary started getting noticed for her fashion sense and style, resulting in her designing clothes for people in the entertainment industry. Gradual industry popularity gave her the exposure she needed with write-ups and reviews in The Star, The Telegraph and other media outlets.
Mary ploughed her talents into the music industry and went on to enjoy a long and successful career in Artist Management, however, fashion was never far behind as she remained heavily involved in the styling and fashion part of the artist’s careers.
But something always told her to go back to school and she would at several different stages of her life attend adult education. In 2016, Mary had an interview at the London College of Contemporary Arts (LCCA), she gained a place on the Fashion and Textiles Course and graduated with a Higher National Diploma (HND).
In 2019, Mary graduated from the University of East London with an Honorary Degree in Fashion Textiles. Mary has created garments for Fashion Shows around the UK and abroad while studying and received numerous awards for her fashion designs:
• Mercedes Benz Best African Designer 2015 BEFFTA
• Special Fashion Inspirational Award 2015
• Special Inspirational Award Birmingham 2018
• IAAA Fashion Icon Award 2018 • Best Fashion Designer (Scotland) 2019
Mary has spent the last three years perfecting and collecting new inspiration for her explosive new collection - Mary Martin London “ilmood” – designed and tailored to make you feel “sensational!" The new collection and fashion range are vibrant and exciting like Mary’s personality. After years of building a loyal client base and a niche market, Mary is ready to let the world see her incredible talent in artistic design.
The Fairy Tale Collection 2015
Mary Martin London recognized the impact of her work in 2015, whilst in Ghana, her designs were brought to life by top South African photographer - Vernondo Boshoff, the rest is history!
The Queen of Africa - African Fashion Week - London 2018
Whilst studying at the LCCA in 2016, a research trip to Ghana inspired Mary to create ‘The Queen of Africa’ dress - green for the grass, yellow for the sun, and brown for the earth. Her collection also included a tribute to the late David Bowie and Cecil the Lion that went viral on social media.
The Hidden Queen Collection – African Fashion Week - London 2017
Mary Martin London has a faithful fan and client base including A-List celebrities who adore her outrageous, bespoke designs. Mary’s catwalk shows in Mayfair, London is always a sellout. With a drive to succeed, a desire and a passion to ensure longevity in her designs, Mary is on a mission to ensure her designs surpass personality and individualism. A tall order, as Mary’s personality, is naturally dynamic and shines through everything she does.
King Charles Street Photo Shoot 2020 - Soft Power of Diversity in Fashion – My Ethos:
For Mary Martin London, “fashion is an expression, it is part of your soul, you cannot fake it or fix it, you can only improve your art by sharing in each other’s cultures and living experiences.”
Mary Martin London was invited to showcase her designs at The Foreign Office in King Charles Street in London and is named as the first woman of colour to curate, stage and shoot fashion within the walls of the impressive 19thcentury classical gothic-revival building. Inspired by the existence of Ignatius Sancho (1729-1780) a writer, composer and abolitionist, Sancho was one of the first known Britons of African heritage to have earned the right to vote in 18th Century General Elections, meeting strict property-owning requirements with being an independent owner of a grocery shop in London. At that time, only 3% of the British population were qualified to vote. Mary Martin London’s latest line is inspired by the 18th Century concept of ‘The Extraordinary Negro’. Her 21st-century black models in classical-inspired designs provoke thoughts on the symbols of society and conceptualise the humanity of Africans and the immorality of the slave trade.
The Mature Student.
Mary’s experience studying at the University of East London (UEL) was challenging and disappointing at times but equally stimulating. Mary describes these challenges, which brought back those feelings she encountered as a child in school. Mary goes on to describe her experience as upsetting, but it didn’t stop her from fulfilling her dreams. Mary remembers Emma Carey as someone who believed in her when others didn’t and who will long live in her memory.
Mary Martin London made history by being inspired by history. Hailing from South Wales and her humble beginnings, it serves as a reminder that; “you can achieve your dreams if you stay focused. It is never too late; life can truly begin at 40, 50 and beyond.”
"Mary Martin London was invited as part of Taylor Wimpey’s celebration of Black History Month 2021 to give an online talk to the PLC staff followed by a questions and answers session. We chose Mary as an inspirational figure from the creative industries and also as a leading example of entrepreneurship. Mary took us on a journey from how her interest in fashion and technical skills in clothes making began in childhood, through later events in her life, her adult education, and how she emerged from being a student to forming her eponymous fashion art company. In the context of Black History Month, Mary also shared personal experiences of her challenges and successes along the way to becoming a commercially successful and critically acclaimed fashion artist. She also gave a live demonstration of how to make clothes using hand-drawn patterns. Mary provided an international context to her work by discussing her overseas shows and exhibitions. Mary’s dynamic and informative talk was very well received by all attendees who all appreciated learning more about both Mary and her work. We were very privileged to host Mary Martin London and look forward to hearing about her continuing success as her brand grows and develops even further." - Stuart, Head of Planning, Taylor Wimpey
"Mary Martin London gave a talk to the African and Caribbean Heritage Guides at the V&A Museum. Mary's talk took us on a journey through childhood to the fashion artist /designer that she is today; Her transformation from a ‘mature’ fledgling fashion student to the fashion artist that now produces extraordinary works of fashion art for worldwide fashion runways and for couture designs for her celebrity clientele. I personally found Mary's talk to be inspirational. She spoke a narrative that was encouraging with an honesty that recognised the challenges of her personal and professional experiences. We look forward to seeing and hearing more of Mary Martin at the V&A in the future." - Kim, African & Caribbean Heritage Guide, V&A
"I found Mary London's personal account of her journey both moving and inspirational. Mary shared insight, determination and strength. This was evident in her creativity. I feel that Mary's work will continue to gain increased exposure in the UK. It's a great testimony to Mary's work for the accolades she has already received." - Nkechi, African Heritage Guide
"Mary Martin did the opening for Lewisham Council's Black History Month event. Her models displayed her current collection, which was amazing. Mary gave a presentation and talked about her childhood, adult education and her journey into fashion. Mary's story is an inspiration for all. Her rise through adversity to become an established designer shows her passion and hard work. She is a role model for all." - Andre, Cabinet Member for Culture, London Borough of Lewisham
- 2019 - Awarded Best Fashion Designer (Scotland)
- 2018 - Awarded the IAAA Fashion Icon Award
- 2018 - Awarded the Special Inspirational Award Birmingham
- 2015 - Awarded the Special Fashion Inspirational Award
- 2015 - Awarded the Mercedes Benz Best African Designer BEFFTA
How to hire Mary Martin
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Mary Martin for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do NOT accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
