A closing down sale is happening this weekend
The owner of a store and studio in Stockport said she is closing her business ‘with a heavy heart'(Image: Emiko/Instagram: @emikostudios)
The owner of a popular clothing studio and shop in Stockport has announced ‘with a heavy heart’ that they are closing the business.
Emiko, which takes its inspiration from vintage workwear and Japanese culture, first opened its doors in the Great Underbank three years ago. Led by owner Coral Murphy, the independent studio specialises in unisex ‘slow’ fashion, with products made entirely in Manchester.
As well as operating as a store, Emiko also included a studio space where its garments were hand crafted to ‘create sustainable clothing sourcing ethical, organic and deadstock material’, and sourcing from fairtrade factories. Coral, who has worked in Bangladesh and China, started her career in fashion by making children’s clothing after giving birth to her daughter Emi, who later went on to also inspire the launch of the Emiko brand.
Emiko in Stockport is closing down this weekend(Image: Emiko/Instagram: @emikostudios)
Coral, who also runs the Miru Mill space in Stockport, took to social media on Friday (November 21) to say that she was sadly closing down Emiko this week. The store will open over the weekend for customers to shop there for one last time.
The Instagram post wrote: “It is with a heavy heart that I need to announce the Emiko brand is closing. It’s been a really tough year, and even with the small wins and (what felt like) progression, there was an incident last week that completely broke my heart, and has made the fight unrecoverable.”
The studio owner said that this weekend will mark a closing sale where products will be sold at ‘low prices’, whilst the likes of machines and furniture will also be up for sale. Coral added: “Thank you to our incredible team, the followers, the customers, the support, it has been an amazing ride.
“This means we will have a closing sale in store, selling products at low prices, machines, furniture and sewing materials. We will be open this weekend 11-4 Saturday and 12-3 Sunday. Outstanding online orders, email updates are going out within the week.”
The fashion brand was situated in Stockport’s Great Underbank(Image: Emiko/Instagram: @emikostudios)
Whilst not sharing any further details on the reason for the closure, Coral said she was seeking advice from other brand owners on how to steer the next chapter of her career. She added: “I’m not sure what’s next for me, it’s been a huge blow to say the least, I’m heartbroken. Any brand owners who can offer advice and support at this time would be much appreciated.”
Understandably, the news was met with sadness from Stockport locals and Emiko’s regular customers. Aside from the studio space, Emiko had also helped contribute to local markets and pop-ups, including a first-of-its-kind makers market at Miru Mill last summer.
Earlier this summer, Coral launched a crowdfunding campaign in the hopes of opening a second Emiko space in the city centre of Manchester. It was hailed as a chance to support its ‘next chapter and help champion sustainable fashion, UK craftsmanship and creative community’.