Studio Fund

Help Me Build a Safe Creative Workspace-For My Family & Work

Also on GoFundMe

I’m Akraam, a multidisciplinary artist who recently took the leap to pursue my practice full-time, rooted in craftsmanship, conceptual thinking, and community. From leaf-printed garments to large-scale canvases, sculptures, and experimental furniture, I’ve poured everything into building a creative business that redefines what wearable art and design can be.

Recently, my efforts were answered and my work went viral in a way I could never have imagined — with over 100 million views, the largest DIY trend in 2024 and hundreds of messages from people eager to own a piece or learn the techniques behind it. It’s been surreal and deeply motivating.

But behind the scenes, the journey has been incredibly challenging.

Why I’m Asking for Help?

Right now, I’m at a critical point. I’m expecting my first child — a huge blessing, but also a challenge, as the pregnancy has involved more hospital visits and complications than we anticipated. At the same time, I’m still running the business solo - handling everything from design and production to marketing, editing, shipping, and customer service.

Because every piece I make is handcrafted, my physical ability to work directly affects the flow of orders. And with the stress of this pregnancy and no proper workspace, I’ve been struggling to keep up without the risk of compromising quality.

To make matters more urgent, I currently work from home. The chemicals and materials I use for my leaf-printing technique produce fumes that are no longer safe at this scale — especially not with a pregnant partner in the house. On good days, I work outdoors. On rainy days, I simply can’t work, causing a ripple effect that prevents me from taking on more work to make up for the delays and lost working days. It hasn’t been sustainable, for my family’s health or my creative output.

This GoFundMe will help me:

* Build a safe, weatherproof outdoor workspace so I can keep producing without harming my family’s health

* Cover extra expenditures that occurred from recent delays so I can ship out existing orders without rushing or cutting corners

* Invest in air filters, storage, and proper equipment to handle larger volumes safely

* Begin building a foundation for hiring help, outsourcing certain tasks like editing & photography, and exploring safer production techniques

Your support would allow me to breathe, focus, and return to my passion, creating with innovation and integrity, whilst serving a growing community that believes in the value of handmade work.

Important Note on Where Your Support Will Go:

Approximately 70% of the funds raised will go directly toward the business — including workspace construction, equipment, backlog resolution, and hiring help. The remaining 30% will cover personal costs that I’ve fallen behind on during this pregnancy. I diverted business income to support urgent family and medical needs during a period when I couldn’t physically produce or ship orders. Your support will help balance these losses and prevent me from needing to rush or compromise the creative work going forward.

I’m Not Just Building for Myself.

This isn’t just about hoodies or art, it’s about building a platform that opens doors.

As a tutor with years of experience working with minority communities, I’ve always believed in inspiring others rather than gatekeeping. My mission is to help people discover their own voice and process, especially within cultures and environments where the arts aren’t always seen as a viable path.

Giving back has always been part of my long-term vision. Whether it’s through future workshops in cities like London, New York, Tokyo, or Manila - or through initiatives like the artist-football group I created to help studio-based creatives connect beyond their practice, I’m committed to creating space and community.

I take this responsibility seriously. I’ve had the opportunity to be part of, and work with, prestigious institutions like Central Saint Martins, the Royal Academy of Arts, V&A, and the Whitechapel Gallery. Having a foot in the door means I can do my best to hold it open for others, especially for those in my community who’ve been led to believe that door was never meant for them.

Once I’m through this current hurdle, I want to reinvest in others - by running workshops for both kids and adults, creating opportunities for local makers, and offering my work at more inclusive price points. And I’ll do it without ever compromising on the quality or integrity of the ideas.

If you’ve followed my work or been part of this community, thank you, truly. Your support has carried me to this point, where I’m now facing good problems, like high demand and not enough space to meet it.

Every donation, share, or kind word means more than I can express. This isn’t a handout, it’s a bridge. And once I’m across, I’m committed to continuing the work of building a platform that gives back to the creative scene.

Thank you for taking the time to read, believe in me, and support this next step in the journey.

Akraam

from Akraamaham