Alycia Hirani, Couture Designer - from Brittle Bones to Brilliant Designs

Jeannette welcomes Alycia Hirani, the founder of Emiah Couture, a unique clothing and design business. Despite her osteogenesis Imperfecta, otherwise known as brittle bones, which is a lifelong condition that requires her to use the assistance of crutches and a wheelchair, she now creates bespoke garments for a wide range of clientele across the country and the abroad. 

Alycia shares her journey of turning her creative passion into a viable business, starting with her love for drawing and painting and transitioning into fashion and wearable art.

Alycia also discusses the challenges of balancing her creative side with the demands of running a business and the importance of having a supportive network, stressing the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion in her work and shares her aspirations for the future, including expanding her offerings and exploring opportunities in public speaking and TV work

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Having the right people in your life, whether they are friends, mentors, or fellow entrepreneurs, can provide valuable support and guidance on your journey.
• Valuing different perspectives and experiences can enrich your work and help create a more inclusive environment. Consider the needs and preferences of diverse individuals in your business and strive to make your products or services accessible to all.
• Clear communication is essential, especially when working on bespoke projects. Regularly check in with clients, ask detailed questions, and maintain open lines of communication to ensure you understand their needs and expectations.
• As a business owner, be open to change and willing to explore different avenues. Don't be afraid to try new things, pivot your business model, or expand into new areas. Stay flexible and continuously adapt to meet the needs of your clients and the market

BEST MOMENTS

"Having good friends and having that kind of really supportive network is really helpful."

"I think it's really important to surround yourself with people that will lift you up at a moment's notice."

"Having that kind of support kind of like net of like-minded people really helps just to kind of make the process easier and it just makes it more positive for you as well."

"I think it's always nice to relate to someone else and that you can have that kind of bond, especially when you work on your own or having other things."

This is the perfect time to get focused on what YOU want to really achieve in your business, career, and life. It’s never too late to be BRAVE and BOLD and unlock your inner BRILLIANCE. If you’d like to jump on a free mentoring session just DM Jeannette at info@jeannettelinfootassociates.com or sign up via Jeannette’s linktree https://linktr.ee/JLinfoot

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Brave, Bold, Brilliant podcast series - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/brave-bold-brilliant-podcast/id1524278970    

ABOUT THE GUEST

Alycia is a bespoke designer specialising in bridal, corsetry and couture. Alongside her condition, Osteogenesis Imperfecta; otherwise known as brittle bones, she creates one of a kind garments featuring exquisite embellishments for a wide range of clientele who are looking for heirloom pieces and a decadent experience.

Social media links that they want us to tag

www.emiah.co.uk

www.instagram.com/alycia.emiah / @alycia.emiah

www.instagram.com/emiahcouture / @emiahcouture

www.facebook.com/emiahcouture / @emiahcouture

ABOUT THE PRINCE’S TRUST

NatWest has a long and proud history of supporting communities across the country and creating opportunities today to help others thrive tomorrow. We are proud to work side-by-side with The Prince’s Trust on its Enterprise programme. Over the past 20 years this partnership has supported tens of thousands of young people to turn their ideas into sustainable businesses. NatWest colleagues also take part in volunteering and fundraising; since 2019 The Prince’s Trust has welcomed more than 882 NatWest Group volunteers across 437 different sessions, supporting 3,372 young people.

We are committed to supporting entrepreneurs to start, scale and grow and offer a range of fully-funded support for businesses at every stage, including online learning with Business Builder, a six-month Accelerator programme for businesses with ambitions to expand, and Local Enterprise Managers who offer regular events and 1:1 support.

THE CHALLENGE WE FACE IN WALES

Wales continues to experience a variety of entrenched social and economic challenges. Workless households, significant health inequalities and high youth unemployment in some areas are the main issues that continue to prevail.

It’s widely recognised that growing up in poverty can have an unjust and detrimental impact on young people, placing barriers on future opportunities.

According to The Prince’s Trust annual Youth Index report (2022)

• 24% of young people in Wales agree they will never recover from the emotional impact of the pandemic
• More than half (56%) of young people in Wales agree that the pandemic has left them feeling “burnt out” and
• 44% reveal that the pandemic has caused a long-term negative impact on their stress levels
• While over half (55%) of Wales’ young people report experiencing a mental health problem
• 46% say the pandemic has made their mental health worse, and
• 28% of young people in Wales surveyed feel like they will fail in life

Today, The Prince’s Trust is one of the UK’s leading youth charities, founded by King Charles in 1976.

Our programmes have been developed in response to society’s changing needs, give young people the support they need to overcome hardship and lead full and successful lives.

Our plans in Wales will directly help to alleviate the issues this generation are experiencing. The rising cost-of-living is having a significant impact on unemployed young people supported by The Prince’s Trust.

The Prince’s Trust deliver a number of programmes for young people aged 11-30. The focus on Education, Employment and Enterprise. All of our programmes embed confidence and resilience building; to enable young people to enjoy long term positive outcomes.

Our gentle plea for support

We really need your help! If you would consider being a business mentor for young people at The Prince’s Trust, or want to support via your business or as an individual; we would be delighted to hear from you.  You will be helping us to change the lives of young people for the better, and supporting young people into meaningful education and employment; with the confidence to know they can succeed. Let’s create brighter futures for young people in Wales, and inspire future generations to come.

hello@princes-trust.org.uk, or 020 7543 1384

ABOUT THE HOST

Jeannette Linfoot is a highly regarded senior executive, property investor, board advisor, and business mentor with over 25 years of global professional business experience across the travel, leisure, hospitality, and property sectors. Having bought, ran, and sold businesses all over the world, Jeannette now has a portfolio of her own businesses and also advises and mentors other business leaders to drive forward their strategies as well as their own personal development.

Jeannette is a down-to-earth leader, a passionate champion for diversity & inclusion, and a huge advocate of nurturing talent so every person can unleash their full potential and live their dreams. 

CONTACT THE HOST

Jeannette’s linktree - https://linktr.ee/JLinfoot

https://www.jeannettelinfootassociates.com/

YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtsU57ZGoPhm55_X0qF16_Q

LinkedIn - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/jeannettelinfoot