Today we’d like to introduce you to Renae Myrie
Hi Renae , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
From my eye was at my knees I have been a ‘hot gal’. My love for fashion saw me borrowing my mom’s clothing while she was at work and sacrificing food for clothes by saving my lunch money to buy fashionable clothes. With this passion, I designed my first outfit at the age of 18. I didn’t design anymore until 2018 when I started designing outfits for special occasions such as my birthday and major parties. In 2021 my cousin invited me to a party and because the party was the same day, I didn’t get a chance to buy something new so I wore the dress I designed in 2018 for my birthday. I was skeptical about wearing it because to me it was old and I don’t like to repeat my designs. To my surprise when I got to the party everyone with eyes was staring at me. Every dj at the event talked about my dress when they went on the mike and one even asked where I got the dress and I told him I designed it. People started walking up to me asking me to design clothes for them. I was in awe to know that something I designed three years prior that I thought was outdated drew so much attention. That experience ignited an undeniable desire to be a fashion designer. In 2022 one of my New Year’s resolution was to turn social media into my runway and make a name for myself in the fashion industry. I started calling my designs “Aura Koutura”. Aura is the distinctive atmosphere or quality that seems to surround and be generated by a person, thing, or place. Therefore I envision that my clothing would demonstrate my different moods and capture the Aura I want to present whenever I walk into a room. Koutura means ‘Couture- Her’. I replaced the ‘C’ from Couture (the type of fashion I love) with a ‘K’ and added an ‘A’ to get the pronunciation of the meaning in Patios my native Jamaican dialect. Since the birth of Aura Koutura I have managed to maintain the same head turning effect when I walk into a room.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey hasn’t been an easy one for me. I’m a designer, but I don’t sew, so finding people who can execute my vision at the level of quality I expect has been a major challenge. Building a brand from scratch, entirely out of pocket, is incredibly expensive—especially as a single mother with many responsibilities outside of Aura Koutura. On top of that, securing funding has been difficult.
In Jamaica, success often depends on who you know. Without the right connections or a big name, it can feel impossible to gain recognition. Talent alone isn’t enough—you’re often overlooked or dismissed. That’s why I’ve had to work twice as hard to network and market myself to carve out my place in the industry. Despite these challenges, I’m proud of the progress I’ve made. In just under three years on the Jamaican fashion scene, I’ve been building a name for myself, and I think I’m doing an amazing job so far.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Aura Koutura is a cutting-edge fashion brand committed to delivering high-quality apparel that redefines the fashion industry by blending innovative designs with Jamaican culture. The brand empowers individuals to express their unique identity and has quickly established itself as a trendsetter, celebrated for its bold style, unpredictability, and versatility.
I am incredibly proud of what I’ve accomplished in under three years without any industry connections. I’ve participated in the biggest fashion shows held in Jamaica, I was named Designer of the Year by MECA (the hottest nightclub in Jamaica), earned a Bronze Medal and Merit in Fashion Designing from the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, and became the Creative Director for Miss Teen Universe Jamaica after hosting a fashion show for them.
What sets me apart isn’t just my creativity or unpredictability, but my ability to design and create garments on the spot, even without a sewing machine. Beyond that, I’m a multi-dimensional creator. I design lingerie under Puckish by Aura Koutura, as well as hair accessories, shoes, and bags. Additionally, I’ve expanded into the beauty space with my other brand, Essentials by Renae Myrie, where I formulate my own organic perfumes, hair care, and skincare products. Most brands rely on chemists to formulate their perfumes, but I create mine entirely on my own. That’s definitely a standout aspect of what I bring to the table. I’m truly a one-stop beauty brand.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
As much as I love fashion and dressing up, I equally love simplicity. I’m a very laid-back kind of person—t-shirts, a baby doll dress, and undone hair are my go-to. I’m the complete opposite of the glam version of myself you see at events compared to my everyday look. I’m not a fan of makeup or nails either; I only wear them when absolutely necessary.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://renaemyrie.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aurakoutura?igsh=MWx6NmxhM3g5ODV0dA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/15cSZBLpAw/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@renaemyrie?si=POGASdEcY_ZjX-au
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@renaemyrie?_t=ZM-8tMRUDewzbB&_r=1
