Video: How Birmingham fashion brand Brum Ting is growing from strength to strength

With support from Nechell’s based youth charity Free@Last, a group of young entrepreneurs started the up and coming fashion label Brum Ting.

The business aimed to fill the gap in the Birmingham tourism industry to offer merchandise to those visiting the city. But over time the brand has developed into something for Brummies to take real pride in. It joins a range of creative independents across Birmingham.

John Street, Founder of free@last says: “Free@last has been going for 22 years. And our aim is to improve the lives of the children and young people who live in our community. As part of that, we look at how we can help young people to generate their own legitimate income through creating their own small enterprises.”

Ethan Widgery-Powell, Co-Founder of Brum Ting, says: “Originally, we started off selling jewellery on the market store, when the opportunity arose. We had some jewellery making equipment passed on to us from one of John’s friends. From there, we decided we wanted to make more money than that. So we decided to start a little business. Came up with the name Brum Ting.”

“I feel like it’s been able to teach me a lot about how to communicate with people, how to look out for others, especially closer by me, to make sure that they feel alright. Especially mentally through lockdown. Work in a business with people has been hard through lockdown. And even coming out of lockdown it’s been a little bit tricky, but I feel like the main thing has been communicating and helping others.”

“Hopefully, I see it going worldwide, as a nation brand, as anyone could be able to buy. Hopefully we can go overseas as well. Also see as we might be able to become a franchise, go to different areas, start up different teams and help other young people be able to make money like we do.“

“Personally I see the brand as a representation of who people in Britain are, who young people are, who I am, who my friends are. It shows that even though we might not have money, and we might be in what the news says is a deprived area. Everyone’s got the same opportunity. It’s all about having the right mindset and being able to go and take up the opportunity for the best of yourself.

“I think Birmingham as the city itself isn’t... it’s not really a nice place to live in, but it’s not a bad place to live in. I feel like growing up there it has been quite an eye opener - especially for me  - on how the world works and how people here act, live - the whole shebang really - but I feel like Birmingham itself is a nice place.”

To check out the latest range go to Brum Ting

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