- Programme studied and graduation year: MSc Analysis, Design and Management of Information Systems (ADMIS), 1995
- LinkedIn profile
We are delighted to share that Fumni Lawal has been awarded an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in the King’s New Year Honours List for 2026 for services to Disability, Entrepreneurship and to Volunteering. She received the honour for her work with her brand Clip-Knix, a business that designs stylish and comfortable clip-on underwear that require minimal bending and stretching for users with limited mobility.
Congratulations on being awarded an MBE. Could you share what this recognition means to you and your work?
Being recognised with an MBE is both humbling and deeply emotional. My first reaction was shock and disbelief; I genuinely had to ask someone else to read it back to me to be sure it was real. Seeing my name on the official list made it sink in, and even then, it felt overwhelming in the most profound way. This award truly celebrates the community, women, and disabled individuals, without their contributions and presence, this honour would not be possible.
What inspired you to set up your own business?
Clip-Knix was founded from personal experience. In 2002, seven days after the birth of my second child, I suffered a massive stroke and spent a long period in hospital, where I lost privacy, independence, and dignity while relying on others for basic care. When I returned home, I wanted to restore that dignity, but I could not find adaptive underwear that met my needs and I was surprised to find that nothing like it existed. That realisation led me to develop Clip-Knix, and I successfully obtained a patent to address this unmet need.
Adaptive fashion has the power to fundamentally reshape inclusivity in the clothing industry. It moves design away from a one-size-fits-all approach and towards recognising the diversity of bodies, abilities, and lived experiences. More importantly, adaptive fashion challenges the industry to see inclusion not as a niche, but as a design standard. As awareness grows, I believe adaptive design will become embedded into mainstream fashion normalising accessibility, expanding consumer choice, and ensuring that dignity and functionality sit alongside style. The future is bright for adaptive fashion.
What were the most valuable lessons you took away from studying at LSE?
Studying at LSE shaped the way I think about problems and solutions. The ADMIS programme encouraged critical thinking, systems analysis, and a strong focus on real-world impact, which has stayed with me throughout my career. It gave me the confidence to question existing structures, find gaps, and design practical, evidence-based solutions, an approach that directly influenced my journey into social entrepreneurship, innovation, and advocacy.
My education at LSE taught me discipline and ambition. Studying at one of the world’s most distinguished universities gave me the confidence to pursue any project with conviction. The prestige of LSE carries weight, but more importantly, it equips you with credibility. Regardless of background, people listen, not because of who you are, but because they trust that you understand what you are talking about and expect depth, rigour, and insight in everything you say
If you could offer one piece of advice to students or fellow alumni from your department who are starting their own business, what would it be?
My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to start with purpose, not perfection. Pay close attention to problems you understand deeply, especially those shaped by lived experience because they often reveal unmet needs others have overlooked. If your work is rooted in purpose, passion and integrity, it will find its way even if the path is longer than you expected. Passion and belief in what you do carry you through, especially when nothing seems to be working or going according to plan.
If you would like to be our Alum of the Month or if you would like to nominate a Department of Management alumni, please email dom.alumni@lse.ac.uk.