# TRIUM Alumna Swaady Martin-Leke, founder of YSWARA, is profiled

1 School News August 18, 2013 ![Financial Times logo](/sites/default/files/styles/246w/public/assets/images/uat_025700.jpg?itok=LSPbU2V1)>

Excerpt from [Financial Times](http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/77bfd334-0509-11e3-9ffd-00144feab7de.html#axzz2cQQ8NDdx) -- "Ms Martin-Leke was keen to create the missing link between Africa’s abundant raw materials, being used by local artisans, and the international market. 'I wanted to preserve African craftsmanship - combining artisan with contemporary and timeless products,' she says. She believed the best way to do this would be through a luxury brand: 'The luxury industry conveys culture and identity. It is a country’s or continent’s image presented to the world - what better way to make an impact and change \[perceptions\].' Nine months after graduating from TRIUM in September 2012, she launched Yswara, a luxury retailer of African products, setting up an all-female workforce to give opportunities to local women."

[Read more](http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/77bfd334-0509-11e3-9ffd-00144feab7de.html#axzz2cQQ8NDdx)