Black Tourmaline
Graduate, Heidenara Carvalho (Business & Human Resource Management: 2021), created her company during the pandemic. As someone who is highly involved in alternative clothing subcultures, she decided that her interest could be developed into a viable business venture.
After a year of research and inevitable early start-up challenges, Black Tourmaline has developed into a viable business with Sheffield city centre premises. The product range includes a blend of handmade accessories and clothing. Other products include original artwork prints, stickers and pins, handmade wax melts and cosmetics.
All materials used are ethically sourced, and those products not handmade by Heide, are sourced directly from small manufacturers or by salvaging items otherwise rejected by mainstream stores. Many of the handmade items are made onsite in her city centre store and workshop. She also provides a clothing customisation service.
Black Tourmaline is quickly establishing itself as Sheffield’s main provider for jFashion, and with her client base growing she plans to expand her production methods and capacity through the purchase of embroidery machinery. She also wants to work more closely with local artists to produce new designs. Heide is keen that her city centre workshop and store location should benefit not only her own business but the local community and other small businesses and creators.