We have great design talent in Ireland, and it’s time to think big and promote it

Irish fashion and jewellery designer, EMMA MANLEY heads up one of Ireland’s leading contemporary labels – Manley. Here she talks about women in business, Irish designers and breaking into the industry.

It was National Women’s Enterprise Day recently. You were one of the businesses highlighted as a success story by Dublin City’s Local Enterprise Office (LEO) as a success story. But why are there so few female entrepreneurs? There is an incredible shortage of female entrepreneurs. However, every year we are seeing more, which is positive and encouraging. Without going into too deep on this somewhat sensitive topic, I’m not so sure that the correct supports are in place. That said, the LEO Dublin City has been very helpful, and runs a women in business network, but it’s important that female entrepreneurship is supported across the board.

How hard is it to get funding?

Virtually impossible for fashion businesses. We don’t fit the Government body’s high growth remit [10+ fulltime staff in three years] and we’re not attractive to investors looking for high-return ventures. Tech provides that and that’s where all the funding is going.

Were banks any help?

Honestly, no. We have been a cashflow business from the get-go and I can’t imagine the bank’s attitude to fashion business will ever change.

You seem to have cracked the fashion business with your creations now stocked in Powerscourt Townhouse, Arnotts, and Kildare Village, among others. Was it tough?

Setting up in the easy part. I dove in head first, perhaps it was naivety that allowed that. For me it’s scaling that’s the difficult part. We’re producing more than we ever have, but cashflow is constantly curbing our ability to expand.

You recently launched a threemonth pop-up shop in Dundrum, showcasing a host of Irish designers. Are pop-ups the way to go?

I think customers want experiences and a pop-up gives them just that. Our pop-up Bloss houses 36 designers under one roof. You come to our beautiful store and you’re offered every element of Irish design: womenswear, childrenswear, menswear, knitwear, jewellery, homewares and accessories. The all-Irish experience minus the twee factor is there for you, packaged in a luxury store with an amazing sales team. Now that’s an experience.

Everyone’s talking about Irish designers, Why?

Why not? We can compete with designers further afield and it’s about time Irish designers and our customers realise that. We have a wealth of talent and a product that is made ethically and using real craftsmanship, not machines in China. As time passes and this idea of convenience wares thin, brands like ours, that will stand tall and proud.

What are you wearing yourself right now?

Manley… obviously! I’m decked out in our new organic cotton and patent leather two-piece. It’s fun, bright and bold geometric print, perfect for the press launch of Bloss!

Are we becoming a cashless society? How often do you actually spend cash – where and why?

I love using cash to purchase, it feels like a real transaction. This whole tapping thing has me very unaware of what I’m spending, so I try to use cash as much as possible.

What gets your goat as a consumer?

Bad service.

Top deal you’re proud of?

A Versace men’s smoking jacket for $8 in NYC. It’s a collector’s item now!

Do you shop around for phone, broadband, electricity deal etc?

Of course, I love a good deal. But I like quality, too, so cheapest is not always the best.

Guilty treat?

An overpriced oat milk flat white. I’ll only splash out so I can sit and people-watch. It’s all in the name of market research.

What would you do if you were minister tomorrow?

Award female entrepreneurs and business owners the same benefits as females who are employees. Maternity leave as the owner of a small business is going to look a lot like a regular working week. It’s not only a massive factor in discouraging female entrepreneurship but it’s also a terribly antiquated system.