SHOPPING or retail therapy is often seen as a way for women to indulge in themselves and express their personal style in the process.
Sisters Amira Natasha and Amiza Elisa who are known for their stylish flair among their peers, are therefore eager to bring in more fashion choices to Kuching.
Under the brand The Sisters Empire, the duo recently opened a boutique located at Samariang Square.
Embodying their shared passion for fashion, The Sisters Empire offers a diverse range of apparel and accessories that reflect their distinctive tastes and meticulous attention to detail.
From casual chic to sophisticated evening wear, every item in their collection is carefully selected to resonate with the modern woman’s desire for both style and comfort.
Rippled Effect from Selling Pre-loved Items
Earlier this year, Amiza said they had an exciting experience at The Hills Kuching’s Kamboh Raya 2024.
Despite joining the event on a whim, their booth attracted an unexpectedly enthusiastic crowd.
“My sister and I had embarked on a spring cleaning spree to make room for new purchases. We realised that many of our clothes, some worn only once or twice and others brand new with tags, were simply too beautiful to stay hidden in our closets.
“So, we decided to sell our pre-loved items and to our surprise, the response was overwhelming. Every night, our booth would sell out,” she said.
Amiza said the overwhelming success of their booth was a pivotal moment that solidified their decision to open a boutique.
“Seeing the incredible demand and the joy our items brought to customers at Kamboh Raya was truly inspiring,” she said.
Motivated by this positive feedback, Amira and Amiza began planning the next steps for their venture.
Inspired By Their Mother
Amira said the decision to take a leap of faith and venture into business was deeply inspired by their mother, Hairani Ahmad, a successful businesswoman and a fashion icon in her own right.
“Our mother has always been our role model. Her impeccable taste in fashion and her entrepreneurial spirit have influenced us greatly.
“Watching her navigate the world of business with such grace and style planted the seeds of our own passion for fashion and retail. Growing up, we were captivated by her sense of style and her eye for detail.
“Whether it was a chic ensemble for a social event or a casual yet elegant outfit for everyday wear, her ability to combine pieces effortlessly and make a statement inspired us to develop our own fashion sense,” she said.
Their mother’s love for travelling and shopping also played a crucial role in shaping their interests.
“Many of our best memories involve exploring new cities and discovering unique boutiques with her. She taught us that fashion is not just about clothes — it’s about culture, expression, and finding joy in the little details,” she said.
With their mother’s legacy as a guiding light, Amira said they are very confident and excited about their journey with The Sisters Empire.
“We aspire to embody her values and vision in our boutique, offering our customers not just beautiful clothes, but also an experience that reflects the same warmth, elegance, and inspiration that our mother has always given us,” she said.
Fashionable Without Hefty Price Tags
Despite entering a highly competitive market, Amiza believes that The Sisters Empire has a unique advantage by offering beautiful pieces at affordable prices.
From blouses, dresses, and skirts to abayas and baju kurungs, The Sisters Empire offers a diverse and thoughtfully curated selection that caters to various styles and occasions.
The prices at The Sisters Empire range from as low as RM20 to up to RM200.
“We have meticulously chosen each piece with our customers in mind, ensuring a blend of traditional elegance and contemporary fashion that appeals to a broad spectrum of tastes.
“Fashion should be accessible to everyone. We want our customers to find pieces they love without feeling like they have to compromise on quality or break the bank,” she said.
Each item in The Sisters Empire boutique is available in a range of colours and sizes, but the quantities are intentionally limited.
“We believe in offering our customers exclusive pieces that they won’t find everywhere else. By keeping our stock limited, we ensure that each item remains special and unique,” she said.
Of Challenges and Future Endeavours
Although they are relatively new to business, Amira said they are ready to overcome any challenges that come their way.
“We are very excited to embark on this journey especially knowing how we are not only bringing beautiful clothing items to our customers, but also provide them a place that offers affordable retail therapy.
“Having seen my mother in her journey as a businesswoman, we are aware that there are going ups and downs. However, this does not dampen our spirits and we are eager to see how we far we will go,” she said.
Admitting that they are facing the challenge of delayed arrival of their stocks due to logistics, Amira said they had anticipated this issue.
She said they are leveraging this delay as an opportunity to keep customers intrigued by piquing their curiosity.
“We knew that logistics could be a challenge, especially with the high demand and the complexities of international shipping. Rather than seeing it as a setback, we decided to turn it into a unique advantage.
“By sharing sneak peeks and teasers of the upcoming items, we keep our customers excited and engaged. They’re always eager to see what’s coming next, and it creates a sense of anticipation that drives our brand’s momentum,” she explained.
Amira expressed hopes for The Sisters Empire to take off well and build a strong reputation in the market.
“We are optimistic about our growth. Our vision is to create a brand that resonates with people who love fashion but also appreciate affordability. We aim to expand our reach not just the people of Kuching and Sarawak, but beyond,” she added.
