East Finchley based, Audra Daws-Knowles, founder of Audra's Brooches has just had two of her vintage brooches selected and styled by Editor Edward Enninful, to be worn by actress Thandiwe Newton for the cover feature article and fashion shoot of the May issue of British Vogue magazine.

 

This is not the first time Audra’s brooches have appeared in Vogue - in 2019 Vogue approached Audra with a possibility of including one of her brooches in a fashion shoot. After sending a selection of brooches for them to consider – one was selected and eventually featured the April 2020 edition. Audra is thrilled:

 

“Having my brooches featured in Vogue is really exciting and great publicity!  My brooches date from 1880 to 1980 and are most often one-of-a-kind. I do not change any of the original designs. I simply clean, polish and photograph the pieces before researching their history and style. I have also created a fashion fix to allow everyone to wear any pin on any fabric. Every brooch is paired with a pad to hold antique pins securely and ensure weighty pins are supported and sit up properly on whatever you put them.”

 

Enterprise Enfield has supported Audra throughout her business journey.  She was initially empowered to launch Audra's Brooches in 2017 after graduating from Enterprise Enfield's Inspiring Women Start Up Programme  - which enabled her to access the expert advice and information she needed to develop her business idea and promote her business successfully. This scheme is free to any women thinking of starting a business who based in London, and is free as it is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

 

Having established her business, Audra was selected to participate in Enterprise Enfield’s Female Founders Accelerator Programme – a 6 month high profile business support scheme, supported by J.P. Morgan, which is specifically designed to empower women to scale and grow their businesses to the next level.  Audra was subsequently appointed as one of the enterprise agency’s Female Founders Ambassadors with the role of speaking and giving presentations about her business journey at various events and webinars to encourage and inspire other business owners and start ups. Audra said:

 

“I remember how inspired I was listening to women speak about their businesses and I am so honoured to be able to share my knowledge and experience with others. Audra's Brooches would not be where it is today without being challenged and supported by the mentors and participants of the Female Founders Accelerator Programme. This supportive network of professionals is a vital part of my success and sanity especially during the last year.”

 

Since receiving valuable business support at Enterprise Enfield, Audra’s Brooches has gone from strength to strength.  In December 2020 Audra’s Brooches was selected by Homes & Antiques magazine as a Top 25 Online Atelier (silver and jewellery seller). Pre-covid Audra was selling her brooches at exclusive fairs, pop ups and markets in London – including Canopy Market at King’s Cross. In 2020 with the onset of the pandemic, she had to concentrate on online sales - participating in weekly virtual vintage fairs set up via Instagram – showcasing brooches and other items not available on her website. She also creates and posts videos on the history and styling of brooches.

 

For more information on Audra’s Brooches visit www.audrasbrooches.com

Further details on Enterprise Enfield's: Inspiring Women Start Up Programme  Female Founders Accelerator Programme