I spend all day in my workshop. I am a fashion designer and have built up my business from scratch.

http://anthracite.de/
http://www.anthracite-shop.de/

I offer customers custom made, ready-to-measure items of superb quality for reasonable prices. I also make their own ideas come true, both in fashion and photography.
I work on my own and am responsible for everything, basically, I work nine different jobs: design, pattern making and altering, material and fabric research and purchase, photography (product and image photos), photo processing, modeling, customer service, maintenance of website and online shop and making all the decisions.

My customers' ideas and wishes are very important to me, and what has emerged from the feedback is two things are hotly desired: A new, very own collection of menswear and a new, very own collection for plus size women!

The options of having a) the choice between mens and womens sizes in the shop and b) items custom made at no extra charge makes it clear that I strive to accomodate every body type, gender and sex, no matter if tall or short, thick or thin. To me, every body is unique and beautiful in its own way, so I want to offer a wider variety of items especially for those who aren't as slim as the usual silhouette in the current collection.
Of course, these new items will not only be presented on models in accordance with the target group, but the collections will also be created in close collaboration with guys for one and big girls for the other, since I'm a skinny girl and really want to make clothes that don't just look good, but sit well and embrace any special wishes or new requirements of the different bodies and body types.

To accomplish this, I need not only some time and new materials, but also a new and improved workshop.

Currently, my workshop is equipped to accomodate only one person working, me. But new challenges require new means
- I need a private space for changing, a large mirror and a perfectly organized and accessable storage place for fabric, materials and equipment. I want the fitting models and customers to feel comfortable and welcome in an environment which reflects the professionality of my work.

The goals are the following:

1. One new collection in Anthracite's characteristic style for the boys
2. One new collection in Anthracite's characteristic style for the bigger girls

In detail, the following is necessary:

- time for design, pattern technique, fittings and production of prototypes
- time for research, surveys and development with close consideration to the findings regarding the new target groups
- time for product- and image photography, organisation and display in the web presences
- a reasonable budget for fabric, haberdashery and materials
- model booking for fittings and photography, models should adequately represent the Anthracite (life-)style
- a practical shelving system for space saving storage of fabric and materials
- white flooring and new white wall paint
- a private cubicle as dressing room
- a reasonably sized mirror
- a suitable lens for my camera
- new strobes
- a budget to buy brand new fabric to sew brand new items (for men, for bigger girls with boobs, for business occasions, gowns... there is so much that still needs to be created!)

The target group are women and men who love fashion that still stands for something, is absolutely independent and where there is always room for their own wishes. Not only are the items each individually hand sewn by me accoding to the customer's size, they are also custom made according to measurements even from a distance. Furthermore, individual ideas or alterations in fit, color or fabric are always welcome.
And to top it all off, it's cruelty free. I only use perfectly high quality faux leather and faux fur and 10% of proceeds go to animal welfare.

The people who love Anthracite are goal oriented and confident, interested and smart (or smart ass ;) ). They need statements, uncompromisingness. They use style as escapism, against mediocrity, monotony and daily grind.
They adorn themselves, are elegant and understated, or a warrior ot their own aesthetic agenda. They appreciate combinability, functionality and wearability.
They are sleek and sophisticated. They need thrills, danger, harshness, beauty, sex and power dynamics. They have intense feelings and passion. They love. They are striking.
Anthracite is a lifestyle and therfore for everyone who recognizes themself in it.

http://www.anthracite-shop.de/
http://www.anthracite-shop.de/FAQ

This isn't just about creativity. It's about honest labor and the highest possible standard in craftsmanship, idea realization and accomodation of customers and their wishes. Customer satisfaction is really, truly important to me and the best thing is always, when I get emails full of happiness because the desired clothing, that was made extra for them, arrived and brightened the day.

It's about giving more people the opportunity to feel strong and beautiful. Especially and also those who might not be considered "classic beauties" by everyone. They're beautiful regardless. I want my work to represent a variety of people, men, women, slim and seriously curvy!

It's about constantly improving with lots of work and further learning and aquiring of abilities. And about not having to succumb to saleability to the masses and subsequent same old stuff you find everywhere. It's about not having to get boring to survive with one's creativity. I want to make the world a little bit shinier and sparklier, and you can make this possible. <3

Primarily they'll be used to create two entirely new collections.
To accomplish this, there will be necessary furnishing, renovating and equipping in order to continue offering awesome clothes, unusual photography and respect and true interest concerning customer wishes.
For the collections directkly, time and funds are necessary for research, concept development, materials, manufacturing of patterns and prototypes in collaboration with models who are consistent with the new target groups. Meaning men for one and women with seriosu curves. :)

Just me. I am entirely capable of working hard to achieve amazing things, I have built up my entire business by myself and it's nothing to sneeze at.
My name is Jennifer. :)