Emure Diary – Number 7

 

I thought it be best I buckle down and write my latest diary. It seemed so long ago since my last diary. But I’m back!! Well this is what has been happening at the house of ‘Emure’.

1) Selling online through www.apizeadoo.co.uk. A new and fantastic shopping portal for you admirers and buyers of ladies fashion. The online facilities are superb, and very easy to order the goods. You can see the ‘Emure’ range there and place any orders.

2) In negotiations and about to finalise my new USA stockist, which is based in downtown L.A. This stockist happens to be my cousin’s boutique. I should have thought of his shop a while back!! And plus I get a chance to sell in America. You have to remember how big the US clothing market is. So hopefully this will lead to better and bigger things. If all goes well with this I would like to forward onto my cousin LFF designers such as Max Impact, Craven Gene, and Romeo Pires etc. who I am sure will do well over there. I will notify fashion capital of future developments.

3) Other appointments with potential stockists. You will have to see my official website for future details about this. It’s good to keep a few business secrets to myself for now you know! Lol.

4) Financing & Investment – there comes a time when you soon realise that you need more funding, and this is what the ‘Emure’ label needs. I’ve posted ads almost everywhere, and I’m still waiting on the right funder. I am hoping that the investor becomes a business partner too. But even having a business partner would be great in itself. So if any one has that bit of spare finances and are thinking of going into investing, then please do email or call me for further information. See below for my contact details.

5) Work Experience – I have lately posted adverts through fashion capitals forums looking for work experience candidates. So far I have one on board for marketing. I am still looking for an assistant designer. So please email me at info@emurefashion.com with your CV, and where possible examples of your work.

To sum things up it has been an up and down rollercoaster of late for me. Running your business as most of you know is hard work. But perseverance, determination, and ambition are what is driving me forward. One day I am hoping for a break. So wish me luck fellow fashionistas.

I would also like to take this opportunity to talk about some fellow fashion labels.

1) Howell2bHarsh – I have known the fashion designer Harsharan Landa for eleven years and her business partner David Howell for two years. I launched with their label at the same time during London Fashion Week on February 18th 2004 and over the years I have seen their brand Howell2bHarsh grow successfully, and after having a productive meeting with the LFF, this label is definitely one to watch out for. I see them as next years hottest label to hit our LFF network and the fashion industry. Harsharan Landa has sold her range exclusively through Topshop boutique, and various boutiques in and around the capital. Music producer David Howell has blessed BMG with his immense skills in music production and continually is finding and developing the hottest artists. Some of the artists he has help produce include Cassius, a prominent RnB star on the UK music scene who has had his videos played on MTV Base. So watch this space!!!
See www.harsh.tv for further information on the great work Harsharan and David do!

2) Max Impact is a ladieswear label that in its first collection has surely come forward as a hot new label to keep an eye on. Design duo Michelle & Ian Truong have taken this label from just talking about the idea into a real fashion player in today’s market. They have regular features in magazines such as Closer, More, and Heat. With a great PR machine behind them they are destined for big things. They have already within a matter of months exhibited at the last Pure event, Profile 6, and The Lifestyle Show in London. Having worked with them closely I can see how the design and pattern cutting talent of Ian Truong and the production know how that Michelle Truong has is remarkable. I look up to them a lot, and they always guide my ‘Emure’ label when I need the help. They are the backbone of my company. So I got to give them their dues.

Watch out for further major ‘Max Impact’ publicity events. They have shown in numerous fashion shows throughout London, and are looking forward to the new season. They will do well, and I can see a strong future for them.
See www.maximpactstyles.co.uk for further information.

3) Finally one label I am seeing everywhere right now is Romeo Pires. If I didn’t have ‘Emure’, then this is one of the few labels apart from Craven Gene, Max Impact, Forrest, and Mami I would submit my CV to. I recently was in Topshop, on Oxford Street, and I myself am thinking of applying for a concession in there. I went to see how the concessions are laid out and I instantly noticed ‘Romeo Pires’. I’ve met one of the designers Nick in person by chance whilst stocking together at LFF boutique, Bluewater, and I could see how devoted they are to their label.

I spent abit of time looking at their current collection in there, and I was blown away by the use of colour and print on their collections. If the mainstream current pack are raving about Jonathan Saunders then they need to check out Romeo Pires!! 

I’ve studied for years in fashion design, and I have never seen a label use colour and print so well. The yellow and purple striped bolero jackets, to subtly printed, light and flowy dresses in white just made me love their collection even more. I also have seen them at Portobello Market, and Spitalfields. And also know they stock all over the country as well as Japan. I am a fan, I would like to see Romeo Pires branch out into menswear. I love wearing printed t-shirts, and I can imagine a limited edition Romeo Pires menswear range. I can see why they won Profile 6!!

                                     Aims & Objectives for ‘Emure’
   
My ambition is to be up there with the best of UK designers. I am so looking forward to Profile 7. I have an Autumn/Winter 2006/07 collection waiting to be launched then. So far the designs and early production signs are promising. This will be my best collection to date by a mile!! If you thought my Godet dress in vibrant yellow was hot, then wait until you see this collection. As long as I’m happy with it, then that is all that matters. And a few positives from the fashion industry would be a nice welcome too.

 

In the meantime I hope all you fellow fashion labels are out there doing your thing. Make the most of your talents. If you need money, then get out there and find it. If you want a stockist, get your range together and go to boutiques in person. That’s what I do. Right now it may seem you are doing the hard graft, someday the industry will be coming to you. Never give up. And that’s what I have learned in the last couple of weeks. Stay positive, and do the best you can.  If you believe in your ability and are determined and ambitious you are going to kick some a**.

 

Until next time.xx.

By
Munib Ur-Rehman (a.k.a Ray)
Emure Womenswear.
www.emurefashion.com.
info@emurefashion.com.