Personal Summary:
‘With a career spanning almost two decades in the global fashion industry, director of Morris Fashion Consultancy Máire Morris has the first-hand experience on how to launch and run a leading brand. Her clients range from small start ups, large wholesale companies, to global luxury brands- retailed in Harrods, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Fenwicks, 51 East, Qatar Mall and a host of boutiques all over Ireland, UK, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Dubai, Doha etc. Brands she has worked with include Luis Onofre, House of Johara, Kate and Pippa, Josie Owusu, Moloko. She works with Enterprise Ireland, Leo’s and ethical support companies such as - The centre for Fashion Enterprise in the UK and ethical producers Panah production in Nairobi, Kenya to name a few. Her knowledge and skills spread across all aspects of the industry - from initial planning, business development, sourcing, design & product development, manufacturing, logistics and distribution. Maire has an enormous network of contacts around the globe from suppliers,manufacturers, buyers and PR & marketing. The main focus is helping independent fashion, craft & lifestyle brands create a successful product range and a strong business foundation in order to embrace a global market with long-term credibility. Her manufacturing work takes her to China,Vietnam, Malaysia, India, the Middle East, Morocco, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, UK and Ireland on a regular basis. With a passion for both creativity and business, Máire has excelled in the industry and has become a well-renowned manufacturing and brand management expert, working around the globe advising on brand development, product development, sourcing, sample production, manufacturing, and stockist introductions. Maire has a fashion design,business and fashion buying background and is a huge advocate of Irish entrepreneurship. Having run her own retail businesses for years here in Ireland- both physical stores and online- selling womenswear, leather goods, accessories, footwear etc. both here and abroad, she has a wealth of knowledge to share and is more than happy to do so. Particularly passionate about Irish business in global markets, you will be in good hands with Maire’s help.
Mentoring Experience:
I currently mentor with Enterprise Ireland, the Leo’s and privately through my own consultancy firm.
The clients from EI and Leo are all early stage start ups in the fashion, craft and lifestyle sectors. All mentoring is tailored to the individual client’s needs and covers everything from business plan development, range planning, product development, sample production, market analysis, supplier contacts, helping them set up manufacturing agreements, pricing structures for product ranges, logistics, distribution, buyer introductions, e-commerce development strategies, to Pr & Marketing etc.
Qualifications:
- January 2010-Sept 2012- Portobello Institute,Dublin, Certificate in Fashion buying and merchandising
- Sept 2003-May 2007- College of Design and Tailoring, Cork, Higher diploma in Fashion Design
- Sept 2001-May 2003- Galway Mayo Institute of Technology, Diploma in Art & Design, specializing in textiles and print
- Numerous short courses- Shoe design, Start up business, innovation and enterprise, photography, fashion marketing.
If you would like to make contact with this mentor, email: enterprise@dccoi.ie