Najat Demnati has always been a seamstress. After her dismissal from a major fashion brand, she decided to take the plunge.
At 55, a model making graduate from the Paris International Coupe Academy, she worked “in the making, the retouching, I was a trainer”.
His dismissal, for economic reasons from a large fashion brand three years ago, made him want to add a string to his bow, that of creating his own workshop. “I worked on this idea for two years, but I could not afford a room. I did not disassemble.” Shortly before the first confinement, the room of his dreams is located at 11 rue d’Alger, “I didn’t hesitate, it was financially accessible and I live in the neighborhood”.
“I felt the courage”
When the blackout is announced, she continues to sting at home. Najat puts his heart into the work and devotes the little free time to making and distributing masks “at the neighbors, in the shops, everywhere” and always on a voluntary basis. In the neighborhood everyone wore them!
On June 16, she finally signs her right to the € 5,000 lease “which were loaned to me for 5 years by the Initiatives association and which I will begin to repay next April”. The Chamber of Trades supports it in its efforts. “I started in July”. Sewing, creation, individual lessons, “Before the confinement I was afraid, but during, I felt courage. This virus was not going to make me give up, it is only a passage”.
The coronavirus had the definite advantage of forcing her to work on her project between two retouching, encouraged by her family, “I do not regret this period although it is very hard for everyone. I tell myself that I should have embarked on the adventure long before, but I still have good professional years ahead of me!”
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