Interview with Harmur Girls
At the C Word, we want to provide a platform for women’s voices and adventures to be heard and celebrated. We strive to support and celebrate women and their successes, as their entrepreneurial determination fuel the growth of their business and careers. Harmur Girls is a womenswear brand started by sisters Tilly and Constance and their mother Minnie. There is synergy in the philosophy of Harmur Girls, as the brand strives to empower its customers, just as we do our readers.
The business has grown really quickly despite its youth. Harmur Girls makes their customers feel part of something and embraces them in a family of likeminded yet individually special consumers.
What made you start Harmur Girls?
Well, our mother - one of our founders - Minnie is a very talented seamstress and she used to make us these fantastic backless tops. We would get so many compliments on them from our friends and other people out and about, so thought, why not refine this and make them in beautiful silks to sell? We love working together and all have a creative flair, so we went for it and have never regretted it!
What is the USP of the business?
All of our pieces are backless. We think that the back is a really elegant, feminine and subtly sexy part of the body and have always loved backless items rather than really low-cut at the front (not that there is anything wrong with that!). They are also made of beautiful silks, and if we use different fabrics for limited collections (watch this space) we line them in the silk so that they still feel gorgeous against the skin.
What would you love the products to say to women? How do you want your products to make your customers feel?
Ultimately, we want anyone who wears HARMUR to feel confident, stylish and effortless. Who doesn’t want to feel gorgeous when they get out of their lockdown outfits!
Are you still growing your new collections?
We are, however we are also doing more colours and embellishments of our classic pieces as these just work so well. We don’t want to go too far from our roots, but there is so much you can do with all of the amazing fabrics on offer! We have some beautiful new styles inspired by our classics coming out soon so keep an eye on our site and socials for them.
What actions are you taking to keep the brand sustainable?
We only make small runs of all of our items, so that no pieces are wasted. We are also making some fab accessories from our offcuts which will be coming out soon, and we are working with all of our suppliers from fabric to packaging to find the best solutions going forward. We believe that sustainability is a must for every brand these days, so it’s important to us.
The main four styles that you started the brand with, are you hoping to keep these products going as the business grows and maybe look to take different tangents and expand new styles?
Yes, we will always keep our classic designs! These are so versatile and work so well with anything from jeans to cocktail skirts. Also, as they are all tie up, they fit all different sizes and are super comfortable. Since launching, we listened to feedback and created the ‘bra-strap’ top which you can wear a strapless bra with if you don’t feel comfortable going braless, and we also have the ‘drape-back’ top launching soon, which has a bit more floaty coverage at the back. We have gone from the initial backless top styles, to skirts, dresses, jumpsuits, kimonos.. all of which work beautifully together and maintain the HARMUR feel and identity.
What tips would you give to young women starting a business?
Listen to those who have done it before! It’s so great how smaller businesses want to help each other out, so I think talking to others who have been there before is really important. We would also say to go for it! Try and have a clear idea and vision for the brand, but if you are passionate about it, then give it your all and enjoy every minute and all of the ups and downs - mostly ups!
I admire Harmur Girls and their determination, and their efforts have clearly paid off. The girls starting this business so organically with their mum is such a unique touch. They have really highlighted how their products are different – the USP here being that these are all backless pieces.
The products from Harmur Girls are flattering, beautiful and complimentary to each woman wearing it. Each piece has its own identity, and yet in tandem successfully celebrates the uniqueness of the women wearing them. We all know how special a certain piece of clothing can make you feel on the inside from how it compliments your glow on the outside.
