Emay Enemokwu studied at Kent Business School, during his time at University he set up fashion brand, Jehucal, a London-based clothing and accessories label worn by those with style, including famous names such as actor Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Arsenal player Emile Smith Rowe.
‘I’ve always loved fashion but when I was growing up I couldn’t afford the brands I wanted to wear, so I thought if I can’t buy it, I’ll make it.’
Having his own fashion brand was a dream, but Emay was realistic about how to achieve it. ‘When I wrote my personal statement, I said I was coming to Kent to get the skills to start my own company that will be recognised worldwide.’
True to his word, Emay started Jehucal at the end of his first year, but it was in his second year, with the support of ASPIRE (which helps students to develop business ideas), that it really took off.
Building a business while studying is hard but for Emay, university was the ideal place to start.
He says: ‘I switched my degree from business management to accounting, made notes in lectures and implemented them straightaway. Even now I’m still using my notes! I don’t think my brand would have grown so quickly if I hadn’t been at uni. I met people from all over the world; in ‘normal’ life our paths wouldn’t have crossed, but at uni you chill and share ideas, then they know someone who knows someone, and on it goes.’
‘Just two hours after finishing my last exam, I received an email saying my brand had been picked to curate an installation for London Fashion Week. It was surreal; the most exciting moment of my career so far at that point.’
Emay has been moving forward ever since, producing high-quality, high-end, in-demand fashion, including his iconic ‘Mirrors’ bags. His latest venture is a capsule collection in collaboration with Chivas Regal, creating ‘Memories that last Till Forever’ that launched in November 2022.
“I studied accounting and management so that I could understand the finance side of business, while also learning about merchandising, buying and people management.”
Emay is not just a fashion innovator, he was also a pioneer of Kent’s ‘selfie’ year, which allows students to spend their year in industry developing their own business.
He says: ‘I’m proud that I was able to leave an imprint on such a big establishment; a legacy for future students.’
Interested in taking a Selfie year with ASPIRE? Find out more.