Design duo Erin Webb and Nour Hammour inject their signature edge into the sophisticated leather pieces of Nour Hammour, a brand that delivers style and staying power season after season.
What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine?
Nour Hammour (NH): I like to start my day early, usually around 6.30am. That quiet time is precious to me; it’s when I can gather my thoughts and check my agenda. I’ll hop in the shower and mentally sort through everything I need to do. With four young children, my days can get a bit chaotic, so staying organised is absolutely key. Having a plan allows me to be more present with my kids in the morning. Once the household starts stirring, it’s all about getting everyone ready and out the door – coffee in hand, of course. I really cherish taking my kids to school before heading to the office. It’s a small ritual that keeps me grounded and connected to what truly matters.
Erin Webb (EW): I’d say it’s a typical morning for a mother-entrepreneur. Unless I’m flying to Istanbul, my 1-year-old daughter is usually my alarm clock. With a large part of our business in the USA, Nour and I are often on WhatsApp early, catching up on what happened overnight and deciding on our priorities for the day. All this happens while I’m getting the girls ready and out the door. I try very hard to be fully present within my roles. When I’m with my daughters, I’m completely there with them as mom, giving my undivided attention. And when I’m at work, I’m fully focused on that. It’s a balancing act, but it’s the rhythm of our lives right now, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
You launched your brand in 2013, how have things evolved since then?
NH: When we launched Nour Hammour in 2013, our vision was to create a brand of leather outerwear that em- powers women to feel comfortable, beautiful, and confident. Coming straight out of college, we had a lot to learn, but we always prioritised the product above all else. The brand has truly grown alongside us since those early days. In the beginning, we made it a point to personally connect with every client who purchased a jacket, whether in our showroom or at one of our many pop-up events. Those interactions were invaluable, giving us deep insights into what women truly want from their outerwear and what resonates with them on a personal level. You can really see that understanding reflected in our latest collections. We’re always striving to learn and elevate our offerings.
On the business side, the growth has been extraordinary. What started as just the two of us creating one-off pieces with incredible artisans has blossomed into a fantastic team that’s expanding rapidly. Now, we’re selling our jackets all over the world, which is honestly mind-blowing.
EW: Launching a luxury womenswear brand in Paris is not for the faint of heart. But social media was a seismic shift in gaining access and exposure. What was once an exclusive industry controlled by a handful of editors and buyers transformed into a decentralised audience of real people – that didn’t exist before. The immediacy and connection are incredible, however the relentless demand for content has sped up the industry’s pace.
Trends come and go quickly now, and we stay very aware of the fact that the pressure to constantly innovate can threaten a brand’s identity. I take great care with that and would consider it my number one priority.
How many styles did you launch with and how was your vision received back then?
NH: We started with just a handful of styles – around five core pieces that showcased our vision of distinctive and customisable outerwear. Our aim was to create timeless designs that women could make their own, and we were thrilled to see how well that vision resonated with our early customers. The initial reception really validated our belief in the need for versatile and stylish outerwear that empowers women. Since then, we’ve grown significantly, but that foundational commitment to individuality and elegance remains at the heart of everything we do.
EW: When we began, it was all about the essentials – just five core styles. The whole vibe was very much a Parisian “IYKYK” moment. It was all word of mouth, and the leather jacket scene was pretty sparse – only a few brands had hero leather jackets – but nobody was doing specifically leather outerwear. We listened to what women loved and what was missing from the market, and we refined our collection until it caught the eye of Ken Downing at Neiman Marcus. And that’s how we made our debut in the USA.
Your timeless all-leather pieces are designed to last. Was it challenging to find the right production, and how have you had to adapt as the brand has scaled?
NH: Finding the right production partners was definitely a challenge in the beginning. We were committed to ensuring that every piece was crafted with the utmost care and quality, so we invested a lot of time in sourcing the best artisans and manufacturers who truly shared our vision. Once we found a great partner, we focused on building strong, lasting relationships. We work with only a select few production partners, and we’re incredibly loyal to them.
One partner, in particular, has been instrumental in our growth. When we started working together in 2019, she had just a couple of machines in a small workshop. Fast forward to this year, and we’ve moved into a large factory with 15 machines as she scaled her operations alongside ours. This ability to grow together while maintaining our commitment to quality is something we take very seriously, and it profoundly influences how we approach our collections.
EW: Leather is one of the most complex materials to work with in fashion. Leather is not as forgiving as some other materials – it demands vigilance in sourcing, quality control, techniques to cut, stitch, and finish. The biggest production challenge has definitely been maintaining the high standards of quality while the business grows. Ensuring that each piece meets our rigorous craftsmanship requirements, even as demand grows, requires a delicate balance. We’ve had to carefully select partners, usually women, who share our commitment to excellence and continually refine our processes to uphold our standards. It’s a constant process of adaptation and control, but it’s essential to ensure that every piece remains as exceptional as we envision, and our clients love us for.
The Middle East is a key market for the brand. What do you think women in the region find so appealing about the brand and product?
NH: The brand truly embodies a sense of empowerment, celebrating the strength and femininity of women. This message resonates deeply in the Middle East, where women are increasingly embracing their identities and expressing themselves through fashion. There’s a powerful connection between our designs and the cultural shifts happening in the region.
EW: Our Middle Eastern clients are definitely some of our most fun to work with. They love fashion, love discovering new brands and love to take risks. We love to welcome our Middle Eastern clients at our Parisian showroom to style their winter escapes to the city and the mountains.
Do you see buying patterns in terms of global sales and the Middle East?
NH: I definitely think the Middle Eastern clients are more attuned to the latest movements in fashion – there is a unique appreciation for luxury, and a high demand for exclusive, limited-edition items. We do a lot of personalisation for them, and they love to tailor their pieces perfectly. They are also quite loyal and will often return season after season to buy new pieces for their jacket collections.
Which pieces have been most popular to date and was this as you predicted?
EW: Before the shearling trend really took off, we spent about two years developing a shearling category that was supple, warm and light as a feather – compared to the really heavy shearlings on the market – and all of which are Gold Certified by the Leather Working Group. It’s essential to us that our designs keep you looking sophisticated while also letting you live a real life: heading to a meeting, taking a train, picking up your kids from school.
NH: Usually when a piece is going to be a hit, I’ll know the moment I try it on for the first time. It’s a feeling – that perfect combination of comfort and ease, a flattering silhouette, and a touch of glamour and a sort of nonchalance. I had that feeling with all of our most popular pieces: the Gotham, the Bleeker, the Hatti, the Dakota… The Birthday Coat in particular is very special to me – it was created as a birthday present to myself a few years ago, because I wanted an easy coat that I could wear over everything, something soft and warm but also chic and nonchalant. As soon as the first sample arrived, every person in our office ordered one for themselves – it is the perfect winter coat. The brand had a formative influence as it emerged as one of the first contemporary brands.
Is there pressure to change the single-category model it was built upon?
EW: Outerwear is at the heart of everything we do – it’s what we absolutely love to wear and design. But we’re product categories, which has been a fun process. We’re always thinking about our client, focusing on what the woman who loves our outerwear truly needs in her life. It’s about creating pieces that resonate with her, enhancing her wardrobe in a way that feels natural and essential.
What are some of the highlights, for you, looking back on the past ten years?
EW: Looking back on the past ten years, my absolute highlight has been working with Nour. We met in Paris at grad school and so we had this really profound academic respect for each other. I feel incredibly fortunate that we found each other and that our journey has been such seamless collaboration. We are both super tenacious – which I think along with mutual respect, is the cornerstone of our success. Together, we’ve built a dynamic team of smart, cool and most importantly, kind young women from all over the world, working side by side in our Paris offices, and it’s been nothing short of inspiring.
NH: Absolutely – the highlight has been working with Erin. I consider myself incredibly lucky to get to take on every challenge that comes our way (and there have been many difficult ones) alongside someone I admire so much and with a team that I adore. We get to grow together and learn from each other – and it’s so much fun.
What advice would you give to yourself starting out?
EW: Trust in the process. Every setback, every disappointment, every ‘no’ happens for a reason and has shaped the path of our business. Setbacks are part of the process, not the end of the road. They’re the uni- verse’s way of redirecting you and refining your vision. Each challenge is a chance to learn, adapt, and come back stronger. They’ve shaped our resilience and guided us towards our success.
NH: Be patient but resilient. It takes time to build a brand and become established in the industry. Never lose the drive to keep pushing forward and learning. Focus on the customer and making a great product for them – everything else will follow.
The brand has been popular amongst celebrities and influential women – how does this feel?
EW: It’s honestly a huge honour. These women can wear anything – they have access to every brand and work with the most iconic stylists out there. To be the go-to off-duty choice for celebrities, models, and CEOs is really something special and tells me we’re doing something right.
NH: The excitement never fades! It’s not just about the visibility – it’s about seeing our pieces become part of their story and their statement. That kind of validation and excitement keeps us inspired.
This is The Visionary Issue – how do you view the future of Nour Hammour?
EW: We are building a Parisian luxury fashion house. A label that’s hyper-sophisticated, metropolitan, but unfussy. We’re all about capturing that essence of strength and transformation, reflecting the nature of women’s lives and styles. And to give a small teaser, we are currently designing our first store…
NH: I see the brand expanding into new territories, not just geographically but creatively as well. Ultimately, I see Nour Hammour evolving into a lifestyle brand that embodies a bold approach to life. We’re here to make a lasting impact in the lives of the women who wear our designs.
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September’s – The Visionary Issue – Download Now
Images: Supplied
Model: Maggie Maurer
Photography: Walter Pierre
Creative Direction and Production: Simone Van Werkhoven and Cara Brock at FLINT Studio
Styling: Constant De Boer
Styling Assistant: Fleur van der Schilt
Beauty: Laura Yard at NCL Representation
