Rather than try and describe what we are and what we do, we decided to post this interview by Kelly Murray which we think perfectly explains what we are about:
Me & Yu - The Streetwear designers who make us all happy inside
Me&Yu aka Angie and Gordon are quite possibly the sweetest duo I've come across since I tried to make identical Victoria Sponge's with no recipe. Sat in their third floor studio of a Manchester warehouse, the pair are evidently content in the little world they've created. And rightfully so. Split into two workspaces, everything happens here, from the initial rough sketch to the finished product; every stage of a Me&Yu garment is made in these very walls. There's something awfully nourishing about the whole affair.
On the whole (and by that, I mean entirely) I don't do labels. I like customising and one off's but this is where Me&Yu have just become my first and therefore favourite designers. They don't just make clothes I want to wear; they make clothes I want to live in. That's quite an achievement yes, but when the clothes are this distinct and comfy, there's no option. The punk/new rave/streetwear fusions made in this loft space are far too tempting to resist but if they've hooked even me in, who exactly are they aimed at? “We cater for young fashionable city types,” declares loveably arty fashion degree graduate Angie. Partnered with Gordon's photography background, the artistic direction of the company has blossomed into something unique and affordable.
The promising venture started out years ago in Australia, where the pair were travelling. Thanks to the opportunity a big market scene offered they acquired a new hobby: “We made stuff in my sisters basement and really enjoyed it so when we came home to Blackpool, we got bored of our day jobs quickly.” From fashion designers in the sun to office workers in the rain, I'm not surprised, but then boredom was never going to be the career paths of these northern lovelies. “There was a lot of stuff going on in Manchester and slowly but surely we've grown - it's been a labour of love. Two years ago we got our shop in Afflecks Palace and we made this full time.”
Thank goodness too; where else would I get hand printed dresses covered in paw prints? “We get inspired by anything, our cats for one. It is fashion conscious but we have our own random ideas too. We show them all in collections twice a year.” It's easy to spot a Me&Yu design in a crowd too, “People know us from the bright printed sweatshirts and our best sellers are women's wear – the little dresses - we just can't make them fast enough lately!” This is very true; as we're nattering away like old women, Gordon is busy printing some Internet orders. “We do well on the net and have a lot of clients from abroad now, plus we don't charge a lot for postage at all so we get orders from random places like Taiwan!”
Following an invitation to the glamorous Berlin Fashion Week, they went down such a treat that the label have since secured outlets in Germany. Speaking of fashion weeks, how did they find the first ever Manchester one? “Manchester Fashion weekend was brilliant. We were between all these big labels yet still able to hold our own. It was a great way for people to discover us, then realise we're Manchester based too.” Well, if there's anyone we'd want representing our vibrant city, it's definitely this charming, independent label. Does the lure of the capital's catwalks ever rear its fashionista head? “We wouldn't move from Manchester no, but our long term goal is to go back to Australia - not forever but to have another go at it out there. Obviously we'd like to be a global brand but we just take things as they come.” Judging by the news that their fun designs are continuously on sale in between 10 and 15 stockists in no less than 6 countries, it won't take these Lancashire hotpots long at all.
