Alliance of Theatrical Seamsters (ALOFTS) will bring a much-needed income to the many self-employed seamsters who have been unable to continue with the work they love since theatres all over the country closed on 17 March 2020.
Through ALOFTS, costume makers from some of Britain’s best-loved musicals such as Mamma Mia, Wicked and We Will Rock You have been commissioned to make beautiful theatre themed items using custom printed fabrics. The range launched on Friday 4th September with totes and small zip bags, with more items being added in the coming weeks.
ALOFTS is a concept thought up by Hannah Kinkead and Mike Bolton, Directors of Go For Wardrobe, a wardrobe staffing and solutions business. Both Hannah and Mike have worked in the Theatre and Live Entertainment industries for many years, and have seen first-hand the devastation that the recent lockdown has caused. With the future of theatres still unknown they were compelled to do something to try and help the friends and colleagues who have been hit hard in recent months.
Hannah has said: “Our beloved industry is in crisis. So many talented and passionate people are sat at home unable to work, and with little hope of shows restarting any time soon we had to do something positive to get some seamsters working again. The idea of ALOFTS is to make beautifully crafted, desirable and useful items that people can use daily. The fabrics are custom printed especially for us, and designed with theatrical themes in mind. We have fabrics named Matcham, Footlights, Feathers and Fans.”
Mike added: “The past few months have been difficult. We were looking around at so many of our friends not working, and we knew we had to try and do something. The thought of there being no live shows until next year frightens us all. For many of us it’s all we’ve ever known – working in our world is a lifestyle, not just a job”.
Hannah Kinkade Limited is funding the new business, and also fulfilling orders to allow the seamsters to make the items without having the burden of purchasing materials in advance to complete orders.
Alliance of Theatrical Seamsters launched its first handmade items on Friday 4 September with pieces available for the public to purchase from www.alofts.co.uk
