WIRRAL LIFE TALK TO NEIL COOPER ‘ THE ALTERATIONS DOCTOR ’
WIRRAL LIFE TALK TO NEIL COOPER ‘ THE ALTERATIONS DOCTOR ’
Wirral Life had the pleasure of chatting to Neil Paul Cooper , 45 years young ; born & bred in Wirral ; Fashion designer , alterations expert & successful businessman who has grown from strength to strength since opening his first solo business ‘ Repooc Couture ’ in 2005 .
Neil graduated with a BA Honours Degree in Fashion , Design & Textiles form Liverpool John Moores University 2001 . It ’ s clear that there has always been a passionate commitment & talent to Neil ’ s current success , now known predominantly as ‘ The Alterations Doctor ’.
I think we are all in agreement when we say , times have been complicated for all of us over previous years & they have certainly thrown a few curve balls with those who have their own business . The success , we feel for Neil has been his absolute passion , commitment & infectious attitude toward life . Neil left university and opened his own fashion retail & design company which was a huge success for many years . Unfortunately , the recession which hit many of us hard & eventually with deep regret & empty pockets led to ‘ Repooc Couture ’ having to close its doors . Neil ’ s Husband , Kristian recalls sitting in his shop comforting him when he had to close the doors to his empire . “ We were devastated , I remember emptying his shop together . It just stopped ... he worked so hard & was one of the last men standing , there was nothing financially he could do to save it …. nothing stops him though ”.
Neil briefly went to work as a manager in Calvin Klein , Cheshire Oaks & House of Fraser . Although his attitude and commitment never let him down his passion was always his fashion expertise …
Tell us how you decided to reinvent yourself as ‘ The Alterations Doctor ’? Honestly , I had just had enough of general retail . My shop was there , empty , & I just thought let ’ s start again . I went straight back to my passion - fashion & alterations , so I decided to open the doors again but diversified into providing an alterations service to people . Everyone was buying clothes online due to Covid restrictions & people were messaging me all the time asking me to alter things for them rather than having to send all them back .
I remember a friend of a friend buying the most beautiful dress from Bellissima Brides for her wedding and asking me if I could do the alterations for her . When she brought it in I was scared ‘ it was stunning ’. The details & complications to a wedding dress blew my mind but I had time to concentrate , work hard and master my skills even more so . It was amazing . I ’ d never really had an online review before but the positive response I received from that one dress led to an agreement as the wedding dress alterations service & ‘ go to person ’ for Bellissima Brides . I was completely overwhelmed .
And so it began …. I now have an incredible relationship with Bellissima Brides based in Brimstage Hall , Heswall & Meringue , based in Moreton for a one stop expert Wedding and Alterations service . So much so appointments are now required in advance . The reviews literally speak for themselves .
Bridezillas … Love ‘ em or list ‘ em ? Ha ha . I LOVE THEM . I get it , I really do . It ’ s the most important day of their lives , that ’ s why I offer such a personal ‘ one to one ’ service . I feel confident that all of our brides , bridesmaids , mother of the brides & also grooms feel confident & completely satisfied with their requests . I also offer bespoke flower girl dresses which have been a huge individual success . If they ’ re happy … I ’ m happy .
Here ’ s a funny story to share with readers … Lockdown left a few people with free time . Too much free time ( wink wink ) when they were able to come for their 2nd fitting and 2 months pregnant , the dress didn ’ t fit . NOT MY FAULT . My only complaint ”. Still fixed it though .
Finally what do you feel the future has install for ‘ The Alterations Doctor ’? It ’ s been hard for all of us . What absolutely makes my day is knowing things are getting back to normal , people are happy & we all have a bright & successful future . I take pride in knowing I ’ ve been a small but important part of people ’ s most important and magical days & I feel honoured I ’ ve been able to be part of this . Never forgetting my routes as a bespoke made to measure & alterations service . I ’ d like to thank all of my loyal & gorgeous customers . Most importantly those who have worked closely with me to help and support all of our businesses , health & wellbeing .
Contact The Alterations Doctor : T : 0151 271 3176 . M : 07881 881182 E : neilpaulcooper @ yahoo . co . uk
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