The London fashion brand challenging the stigma around neurodiversity

n Neurodiversity week (March 21st-27th) is an initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about autism and learning disabilities. n Art Cha Series is a London-based fashion brand founded by entrepreneur

Marlon James-Edwards, a teacher with a passion for raising awareness about neurodiversity. n Marlon is enrolled on NatWest’s London Accelerator hub which supports entrepreneurs across the capital to grow and scale their businesses with specialist support and coaching.

Art Cha Series is a growing London fashion brand that incorporates creative design with raising awareness around neurodiversity.

Founded by entrepreneur Marlon JamesEdwards in 2020. It is a fashion company that combines Marlon’s passion for design with his 15 years’ teaching experience, to raise much-needed awareness of neurodiversity. Marlon is currently enrolled on NatWest’s bespoke London Accelerator Hub, a programme of specialist support for businesses seeking to grow and scale.

Marlon’s designs are inspired by a celebration of difference unique to his brand which was fi rst conceived of during lockdown in 2020. During his time as a teacher, Marlon taught students with neurodiverse needs including ADHD, autism and dyslexia. The company is committed to reinvesting 20% of its profi ts back into education to support programmes and campaigns to challenge the stigma around neurodiversity as well build effective tools, resources and strategies to achieve self-acceptance and independence in schools, workspaces and industries.

The Art Cha Series employs staff from neurodiverse backgrounds and allows those with unique minds and life experiences to express themselves through design, social engagement, content building and a platform to raise awareness of neurodiversity on a commercial scale. As a part of the NatWest Accelerator Hub in London, Marlon is receiving one-to-one coaching, networking opportunities and access to peers and sector specialists to support the growth of his business. The NatWest hub provides a physical working space for London entrepreneurs to benefit from the bank’s expertise in helping small businesses scale.

NatWest currently runs 12 Accelerator hubs across the UK and through their enterprise programme the bank aims to create 50,000 new businesses by 2023, with the majority being female-led, and 20% run by Black, Asian and Minority ethnic entrepreneurs.

Marlon James-Edwards said: “I have always been passionate about fashion and wanted to turn my passion for creative design into a purposeful business. As someone with 15 years’ experience teaching students with a range of neurodiverse needs, I wanted to create a brand that raises awareness of neurodiversity.

“My mission is to challenge the idea that those with neurodiverse needs cannot excel in life and my brand seeks to raise awareness around neurodiversity through fashion, workshops and targeted support to students with neurodiverse needs.

“I recently joined the NatWest Business Accelerator programme in London to learn more about how I can grow my brand. The support on offer from NatWest has included webinars, networking opportunities and one-to-one mentoring, which has given me and my business a clearer sense of direction to grow sustainably.”

Georgina Mackey, NatWest Regional Eco-system manager for London and the South East said: “The NatWest Accelerator programme seeks to empower entrepreneurs to take their business to the next level. Our newly refurbished London Accelerator Hub offers a physical space for entrepreneurs to benefi t from programmes tailored to their individual needs to help them grow and succeed.

“We are pleased to be supporting Marlon and Art Cha Series, which is a great example of how purpose-led businesses can play an active role in tackling social issues. There is huge opportunity for businesses who challenge expectations, and our unique programmes are designed to equip entrepreneurs with the right tools to support their growth ambitions.”