Classy, comfortable and timeless are the three adjectives we’d use to describe HARMUR. This brand-new British label, founded by a mother-daughter trio, is all about *the* backless silk top. Obvs, that isn’t the only thing the Harmur sells, but it’s what kickstarted them to begin with. 

We had a chat with the founders of the clothing line: Constance Murphy, Matilda Murphy, and Minnie Hartley about the niche brand, their plans in the Middle East, and how the trio works together as family and business partners. Scroll down to read all about it…

Cosmo ME: How did HARMUR come about? 

H: HARMUR was literally born around our kitchen table. My sister and I doing what girls do, talking about what to wear. We were both so fed up of everything being either low cut or bodycon as they were at this point in time. We both absolutely loved backless and loved the idea of finding the perfect ‘going out’ top because it could be worn in so many ways with so many items. Our mother Minnie, joined the conversation and re-called a ‘scarf top’ she used to wear when she was in her 20’s! We loved the idea of the top but it needed fully reinventing to make it into something we would all want to wear today.

Our aim was to become the go to brand for the backless silk party top and eventually all things backless. It was niche but we needed to be the best at what we did. 

C: What is the story behind the name?

H: Our mother’s surname is Hartley and my sister and I are Murphy. For us it symbolizes the unity behind the brand.

C: You offer robes, bridalwear and dresses, but your signature is still your halter-neck tops. Was this purposeful? 

H: Yes, totally. As a luxury brand this is even more important because knowing your niche means you can hone this and refine this to become the very best at what you offer. 

Lots of people are doing backless styles now but ours are, and have always been, expertly cut, hand-finished and made in our beautiful silk. We love being the destination for women to purchase our signature, it’s amazing that we have customers trusting us to keep coming back season after season.

C: Your pieces are available in this region in Bloomingdales. Which styles have been your best-sellers in the Middle East?

H: Yes and we are so excited to be there. Bloomingdales stock a beautiful selection of HARMUR, our best sellers have been our embellished classic tops and dresses as well as our matching silk sets.

C: Fashion amongst the Arab world can often be very conservative. Do you think women here can still style a backless top in a modest way?

H: Absolutely if they feel comfortable and confident. Our tops are high-neck and we also offer our robes for this reason. The tops look stunning under a sharp tailored blazer.

C: Do you have any plans to expand in the UAE or Middle East?

H: 100% we would love to expand our presence here.

C: What is the best thing and what is the most challenging thing about working as a mother-daughter dynamic?

H: The best thing is that there is never any judgment and no matter what we will always have each-others support. When the going gets tough, we don’t have to have our professional hats on with each other, we can vent and talk it through with total confidence.

It’s important to remember that first and foremost we are daughters, sisters and a mother, and then we are business partners.

Click here for more information on the brand.Â