BusinessUnusual
Hermon & Heroda
Welcome to a new take on our popular workwear series, Business Unusual. ‘Coffee Break’ is a freshly brewed blend of inspiration, motivation, and today’s unusual 9-5. This captivating series delves deeper into the journey to success and the hurdles faced as we witness the lines blur between work-wear uniform and casual work outfits. From the suited and booted commuter to the comfort first styling of a work-from-anywhere hero, whatever you’re in the business of, make it ‘unusual’ with Ted Baker.
Serving our first cup of ambition, we sat down to chat to Hermon and Heroda Berhane, twin deaf content creators who are currently taking the fashion industry by storm. All aboard our trusty mobile coffee shop, we took to the streets of East London as the girls discussed the importance of representation and forging their own path in an industry where they once felt they weren’t welcome. Since losing their hearing at the age of seven, the pair have strived to create a platform that drives awareness towards diversity and disabilities - And they have done just that with their very own Business Unusual.
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"We don’t see much
inclusivity in the fashion
industry. Not enough."
HERMON
"We don’t see much inclusivity in the fashion industry. Not enough."
HERMON
HOW DO YOU START YOUR DAY?
BOTH: Every day is different.
HERMON: There are ups and downs but most days it’s straight to laptop to check emails for work.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
HERODA: Actually, it’s rejection. Rejection inspires me. That’s why I am who I am today. When I think about what people have said, they have said, ‘oh what are you doing, you can’t do that.’ Then I become more assertive, and that has inspired me.
IN TERMS OF REPRESENTATION, HOW COULD THE FASHION INDUSTRY DO MORE?
HERMON: The word here is inclusive. We don’t see much inclusivity in the fashion industry. Not enough.
HERODA: We still have a long way to go unfortunately. But we need to encourage people to see people like us, and to feel like they can connect, like they can relate. They can look up to us and think, ‘I’m not the only one.’ The fashion industry needs to change that.
HOW DO YOUR STYLES DIFFER FROM ONE ANOTHER?
HERMON: Ohhh, they are different.
HERODA: Well, I would say that you are very laid back.
HERMON: Simple. I think Heroda is more sophisticated, more glamorous.
IF OR WHEN YOU FACE THEM, HOW DO YOU OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES OF DAY-TO-DAY WORKING LIFE?
HERMON: In terms of challenges and barriers, they can be really fatiguing. But sometimes you just have to get stuck in, roll our sleeves up, and just continue with our work. The more we achieve, the more we can break down those barriers.
HERODA: Society has created those barriers, but we need to change that and overcome those barriers, break those barriers. It’s important to change people’s perspective, because it’s very tiring. Every time we have to adjust to the world, but they also have to adjust to us, to our world to meet our needs.
WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO COFFEE SHOP ORDER?
BOTH: Chai latte, definitely. Twins.
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