Nathan Carter's next chapter after his busiest year to date 'I’m definitely not leaving music'
by Mikie O'Loughlin · RSVP LiveNathan Carter has said he definitely isn't leaving music after launching his first clothing range.
The country music star is looking forward to his next chapter after his busiest year to date on stage and in business.
But not everything has been easy for him and his team and they have faced many challenges on the way.
Read more: Nathan Carter knocked down three quarters of his Enniskillen house and is currently rebuilding it
Nathan told RSVP Country: "I’m definitely not leaving music. I’m in the middle of writing a new album in London with Guy Chambers.
"I’ve new music coming out at the start of next year and I’m really excited about that."
Nathan's new venture, the launch of Carter Clothing, has been a big success and his move into fashion was the perfect fit for him.
He said: "For years, I’ve been borrowing clothes from different shops for gigs and photoshoots. My friend Terrie came up with the idea and she suggested that I do my own line of clothes.
"I didn’t know where to begin with that, so I had a few conversations with people in the industry and we came up with some designs.
"This has been 12 months in the making, so it was a while before we got stuff we were really happy with after getting some samples made up."
Nathan wanted to try something new and shake things up in his working life after a major change last year.
The country music star said: "I changed management at the end of last year and I’ve been willing to do new projects. This year has been the busiest year of all with new ventures, and I’m loving every minute of it.
"I’ve never been as busy in my life. Generally, everything is going well."
You never know what’s at the other side of making a big decision like that, but obviously this is working out very well for Nathan.
The singer continued: "Yeah, I’ve never been as happy and I’m very content with the way things are going at the minute."
What makes his brand stand out? "The knitwear is all coming from Donegal. I’m really proud to be using Irish-based businesses. We’ve got some wacky colours; pink, blue, green and orange. Knitwear is in at the minute.
"All the women I’ve shown the jumpers to want one, so they’re not just for men. We’ve a standard range of jeans, shirts, T-shirts and jackets as well.
"We wanted something for the average man on the street."
Swipe across below to see the full gallery of images for yourself
Nathan Carter steps out with Lisa McHugh as he launches brand new venture in style
For Nathan, it is important to diversify and have other avenues in his career because the music industry is so precarious.
He said: "I’m still writing, recording and touring more than ever. If you look at most of the American stars, they all have different businesses.
"It’s not just singing and recording. I think nearly every country artist in the States has a whiskey or a tequila brand. I never really went down the drinks route, although I did invest in Muff Liquor in Donegal.
"I hope people like the range as much as we do, and I think they will."
Like with most businesses, Nathan and his team have faced many challenges on the way.
He said: "It was hard to get shops on board at the start and we hit a brick wall. We invited 25 shops to see the range and only two turned up.
"It’s not an easy industry to be in and it’s quite different to the music game. Not that the music industry is easy either!"
It was very disheartening for Nathan and his team.
He said: "I was questioning if we were mad in the head trying to get shops on board.
"But the fact of the matter is that brands work off their own websites these days and that’s where they sell 70 or 80% of their stock.
"Our website is very good and it will stand up next to the major fashion brands. We studied their idea of a website and we’ve made our own from it as a result."
See the full Carter Clothing range at carterclothing.ie
Read the full interview with Nathan Carter and see all of the fabulous pictures in this issue of RSVP Country - on shelves now
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