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Friends with big ambitions to create the leading streetwear brand in the Channel Islands are looking for local artists to support them with an upcoming collection.
This week, Express has been highlighting entrepreneurs who have gone against the grain in Jersey.
After speaking to sound-makers Dominus and The Loft, today we turn to Tech Clothing, who explained the "blessing and curse" of trying to launch a brand in Jersey...
“Everyone wants that secret formula to be successful as quickly as possible but it’s about showing up and putting in the hard work, effort and being passionate about your business or brand,” said Miguel Loureiro, co-founder of Tech Clothing.
Miguel, along with his original business partner Gio Rios, created Tech Clothing during the first covid lockdown in Jersey.
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He explained that the idea started after admitting he wasn’t enjoying his full-time job in the finance industry.
“Me and Gio are good friends and one day we were hanging out and both said to each other, ‘We can’t keep living like this.’
“We have always enjoyed fashion, art and photography and so we thought, 'Why not make our own clothing brand?', as it encapsulates all the different things we like.”
Since the creation of Tech Clothing, they have released two collections.
Each one features multiple garments and designs including cargos, t-shirts, hoodies, hats and others.
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The brand is available in two Jersey stores, Roulette Clothing and Bailiwick Botanicals, as well as online.
Miguel quit his job in March 2022 to pursue the brand full time while undertaking the Digital Leadership course at Digital Jersey.
Jake Prince, who is now working with Miguel after Gio moved to Manchester, explained that they want to be the leading streetwear brand in the Channel Islands and expand into the UK.
He said: “It’s a small but tight network in Jersey. People are always very supportive here, but there is only a limited amount of people here.
“Success to us is to create a community of people who will wear our clothes, expand beyond Jersey and build a good brand reputation."
Pictured: Jake Prince and Miguel Loureiro wearing their clothing. (Rob Currie)
Miguel added that it is a “blessing and a curse” living in Jersey.
“There is not a lot going on over here, there is only a small hub of creatives but those that are trying to do something are really supportive of each other.
“I think the biggest sense of fulfilment has come from walking down the street in Jersey and seeing people, who have no clue who I am, wearing the clothes that we have designed. The satisfaction you get from it is crazy and that is the feeling I want to continually chase.”
Following the release of their latest collection ‘Unified’, which dropped at the end of 2022, the boys are hoping to collaborate with a number of local artists this year.
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Miguel said: “We would like to give some local artists a platform to put some of their designs on our clothing, as it would create a good opportunity for us both.”
Jake added: “In Jersey I think collaboration is important. For the small hub of creatives out there, we have to help each other out and do what we can to support one another.”
When asked on what advice they would give to others wanting to start their own venture, Jake said: “Do your own thing, don’t be scared of other people’s views.
"Have confidence in your own ability and create as much opportunity for you to be as successful as possible.”
This article first appeared in Connect Magazine, which you can read in full below...
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