Business & Tech
Beloved Harlem Clothing Shop Calls For Help After Christmas Flood
"My American dream was destroyed on Christmas Day," Edwing D'Angelo said."My preparations for New York Fashion Week in February are ruined."
HARLEM, NY — A Harlem designer whose work has appeared on the cover of Vogue says his Fashion Week designs were destroyed by a storefront flood on Christmas Day.
Designer Edwing D'Angelo estimates he suffered $150,000 worth of damage when water gushed into the storefront bearing his name at 2231 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard on Dec. 25, according to a GoFundMe created last week.
"My American dream was destroyed on Christmas Day!" D'Angelo wrote. "Now all of my preparations for New York Fashion Week in February are ruined! From computers to sewing machines and fabrics - I’ve lost literally EVERYTHING!"
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The flood — which he fears insurance won't cover — occurred when a third-floor was window left open during the massive holiday storm.
D'Angelo — hoping to raise $200,000 to replace numerous vital pieces of equipment and fashion — accompanied his plea for help with an Instagram video that shows pools of water on the floor, racks of sopping wet clothes and sewing machines he said were ruined.
Find out what's happening in Harlemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"I was not expecting to receive a call on Christmas Day to find my hard work just basically destroyed," he says in the video.
Along with rebuilding of the physical space and items lost, D'Angelo is also hoping to keep his 15 workers employed.
"I am humbly asking for donations so I can continue to give back to the community and keep my 15 workers employed," D'Angelo wrote. "I would absolutely hate for them to start a new year without a job! No amount is too big or too small!"
Much like the flood water in this storefront, cash and words of inspiration for the Harlem designer have come pouring in, with more than $3,000 raised as of Tuesday afternoon.
"I hope you get back on your feet soon," one person who donated wrote. "I love to window gaze at your beautiful shop and creations, and hope to own one of your pieces one day!"
Another donor recalled visiting D'Angelo's home and finding it full of sewing machines and pieces for his spring collection.
"We cannot let dreams die!" the donor wrote. "Love you and praying that you recover in time for New York Fashion Week 2023!"
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