Help get Lovelace Atelier open after COVID-19!

2020 started with so much potential! I finally had confirmation that i was getting a shop premises to move my studio from the home to offer my customers a better service. This was something i have worked towards since day one and now i had the chance. After agreeing to the lease in November and many delays on the other end i finally signed and got the keys in March with the intention to open at easter. How exciting! I cant wait to get started....Then BANG! Lockdown. The majority of my business is made up of altering wedding gowns, prom dresses and suits, guess what? They're all postponed! So my income has evaporated to nothing. 

I worked hard to save and raise enough money to carry out the refurbishment of the shop, pay the rent for a couple of months and get all the stock i needed to open. I have now had to use some of that money elsewhere. We are doing the refurb on the shop ourselves and slowly chipping away with what supplies are available but as i am liable for rent and bills i haven't been able to purchase the equipment and stock i need to continue my business after all of this. After exhausting all avenues of funding made available by the government, i don't qualify for any due to timing. Rubbish!! Then appeared an ad for crowdfunder! Amazing!

What is the shop? Alongside my existing alterations and dressmaking business i want to offer made to measure suits service, a service that's not readily available locally. Ill also be having a boutique selling occasionwear from a variety of brands, some of these are from sustainable designers which is very exciting! Eventually i will be offering the work space to local creatives to run workshops aswell as running a sewing school myself for children and adults.

I've had the training with a british company to be able to offer made to measure mens suits at amazing prices, I wanted to bring this unique service to Portsmouth! I haven't been able to pay for the equipment and supplies to set this up yet and is one of the main things i will be using this money raised for.

My background! I've been creative and sewing for as long as i can remember, i trained in costume design and production for theatre and film, holding every role from the bottom to the top working on feature films to west end shows. I still do dip my toe in the theatrical world creating costumes for events and running wardrobes for shows locally, but a few years ago i decided to put all my focus into providing specialist alterations in the Portsmouth area. I now average at about 130 bridal alterations a year, another 60 prom gowns and who knows how many suits and other gowns i adjust! I have customers travel from all over the country to use my services so i hope i'm doing something right! In the last year i decided to further my training and have been taking specialist courses in my own time to be able to offer more to my customers. Currently with all the weddings and special occasions on hold i need to keep my sewing machines busy so i've put myself to use by producing hundred of Nurses scrubs bags for the NHS for free after noticing there is a shortage. We all have to help where possible!

I want to get the shop open for all as soon as this is over! 

This is where you come in, if you can spare anything to help it'll be hugely appreciated, i also have created a few rewards in the shape of t shirts and prints from my illustration brand. These are limited stock so you'll need to move quickly if you want one. I'm also offereing PAY IT FORWARD vouchers, these can be used against any alterations in the shop or any of the ready to wear stock i will have for sale. These will include beautiful dresses and a range of sustainable ladies wear. I'm talking with some menswear suppliers currently. I wont be able to offer the use of vouchers against the made to measure menswear. Anyone who donates will be able to use 10% discount on alterations until June 2021 as a thank you!!

What will i spend the money on? I need to purchase the remaining stock and equipment needed to fulfill my plans. I have rent and bills to cover for the months we are going to be unable to open and also any other costs that crop up due to this awful situation!

Thank you for taking the time to have a look at my request! Stay safe and hope to see everyone in the shop soon!