IN 2013, unfulfilled by his football career, Reece Wabara decided to start a clothing line as a side project.
The former Man City right-back has invested £15,000 in fashion label Maniere De Voir, after taking advice from school friend Lewis Morgan, who co-founded leisurewear giant Gym Shark.
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Reece Wabara left football to build a fashion empire
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Wabara is a former England under-20 international who played for Man CityCredit: AFP – Getty
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Today, Wabara is a top fashion designer with his own London storeCredit: The Times
“I kept asking myself where I can maximize my potential to be great,” he told The Times in 2021.
“I’ve always had a different way of dressing and Lewis (Morgan, co-founder of Gymshark) said to me, ‘You should do something in fashion’.”
Some ten years later, the company now turns over a staggering £34.7m a year.
He has dressed sports stars including Anthony Joshua and Raheem Sterling, while Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards is also a fan.
Even better, it has just opened its first flagship store on London’s Oxford Street – with queues forming around the block.
Choosing a different destiny
Football was in Reece’s blood.
His grandfather Lawrence played for Nigeria, while his uncle Mark Walters played for Rangers and Liverpool.
At the age of 16, he was scouted by Man City. Three years later, he was given a three-year contract worth £1 million a year.
But he had the feeling that he could achieve much more.
He saved £15,000 and started the online clothing store Maniere De Voir, inspired by a conversation with his father.
“I signed for Manchester City in the transfer window, there were two or three managers when I was there and two or three owners as well,” Wabara said.
“I knew my football days at City were coming to an end and my dad always taught me that I needed another option to be relevant and financially stable.
“I founded MDV at the end of 2013 and launched a collection, the first clothes I produced were tracksuits, t-shirts, hoodies… I put them on footballers I knew and it took off.”
In 2017, at the age of 26, after a spell at Bolton Wanderers, former England U20 international Wabara decided to hang up his boots and concentrate on his work.
“The transition from footballer to fashion owner was gradual and it wasn’t until the numbers and politics of football began to eat away at me that I had to make a choice,” he told Sports On Screen.
“My football did not progress as I intended.
“The business was progressing at an alarming rate and I had to choose one or the other because focus is important.”
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Wabara started Maniere De Voir in 2013. Credit: Twitter / @ManiereDevoir
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Raheem Sterling is a fan of the brand Credit: Instagram / @manieredevoir
A success story
Wabara, who is originally from Bromsgrove, Worcs, has poured his life and soul into his new project – working seven days a week.
Initial traffic was slow. So he had to go back to ‘plan B’.
Noticing that the Sports Luxe market was dominated by men, he introduced Maniere De Voir women’s clothing.
“Men are very simple by nature,” he said.
“There’s only so much you can do with those silhouettes.
“Whereas women are more experimental – and tend to shop a lot more.”
The decision paid off.
From its £1m turnover in its first year, some seven years later it was making £30.2m.
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Wabarin’s Maniere De Voir made £35m this year Credit: Free to editorial
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In 2022, Wabara was a new entry in the Sunday Times Young Rich ListCredit: Instagram
Today, that number has swelled to a staggering £34.7 million.
The figures catapulted Reece onto last year’s Sunday Times Young Rich List – with a personal fortune of £26million, ahead of footballer Marcus Rashford and level with rapper Stormzy’s net worth.
And there’s more…
Earlier this year, Maniere De Voir signed a 10-year lease for the entire 5,189 sq ft retail space at 354 Oxford Street.
“We are delighted to announce Oxbourne House as our flagship store in London,” revealed Wabara.
“We firmly believe that the balance between online and physical sales space is key to growing and solidifying a brand that stands the test of time.
“We hope to weave our way into the fabric of the high street’s resurgence, inspiring other successful online pure plays to become part of the iconic location that is Oxford Street.”
The crowd was already building – with lines of fashionistas lining the street to get a peek inside.
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Maniere De Voir opened its first store in London’s Oxford Street
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Queues form in front of Maniere De Voir to get a peek inside the shop
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Wabara is now ready to take over the high-streetCredit: Instagram
Football may have given Reece a platform, but his business acumen and eye for fashion have brought him immense wealth.
Now, he’s taking over Main Street. Watch out JD Sports.
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Source: HIS Education