‘I couldn’t hang on’: Adelaide bridal shop collapses as owner declares bankruptcy

A second bridal shop has collapsed into liquidation in as many days with the owner saying she was unable to “hang on” and had no choice but to declare bankruptcy.

A second bridal business has collapsed into liquidation in as many days as the business owner said she was unable to “hang on” and had no choice but to declare bankruptcy.

On Thursday afternoon, an Adelaide-based shop called Bridal Fusion by Mascia announced on social media it was holding a liquidation sale.

“Bridal fusion by Mascia liquidation sale on now,” the post reads.

“Over 700 gowns and accessories out for liquidation! Also fixtures and fittings for sale as priced.”

Gowns are selling for as little as $100, $200 or $300, when some of the dresses originally had a retail price of $8000.

The company was operated under a sole trader registration by the eponymous Mascia Paradiso.

Ms Paradiso told news.com.au she had filed for bankruptcy as the perfect storm of factors had made it untenable to keep running the business.

“The business has closed down, we’re getting rid of stock,” the mother said.

“Due to the fact of Covid and a marriage breakdown as well as storms and a lot of outside issues, and also personal stress and problems, I decided to declare bankruptcy.”

It comes just a day after The Bridal Atelier, which had shops in Sydney and Melbourne, also went into liquidation, plunging at least 99 weddings into jeopardy.

The liquidation sale was announced on Thursday afternoon.

The business has been permanently shut down since February.

Bridal Fusion by Mascia sold a mix of garments including bridesmaid dresses, evening dresses, formal dresses, and flower girls dresses.

As the name suggests, it also sells wedding dresses. Clothes sizes range from size 2 to 34.

The sale is going until the end of July, and is taking place at 23-25 Little King William Street, Kent Town, in Adelaide. On Friday, the sale begins.

“I’m not doing it to make a quick buck, I’m doing it to survive every day,” Ms Paradiso said.

Her children are living with her at the moment.

“Last November I got hit by a storm, (the store) got flooded, I couldn’t open for weeks on end, right before Christmas. I lost thousands and thousands of dollars,” she explained.

“I had to stop (the business) or else it was going to mentally affect me. I burnt out.”

Mascia Paradiso says she is burnt out from trying to keep the business afloat. Picture: Emma Brasier.

The business is advertising its wares on Facebook for its shutting down clearance sale.

Ms Paradiso said if everything isn’t sold by July 30, she will donate the rest. She has already donated some of the products to a high school in Port Adelaide.

“I don’t know if I can get rid of everything,” she said.

“I’m also getting rid of mirrors, fixtures, fittings, a gothic lounge. Everything you see has to go.”

On Facebook, Bridal Fusion by Mascia has more than 7000 followers, and a 4.7 out of 5 star rating.

The business has been in operation since 2016.

It has been shut down since February.

At the time of closure, she was the only employee although at its peak there were nine staff.

“It’s just little old me,” she said, adding “I feel like I’ve given so much. I couldn’t hang on.”

Just a few days earlier, Melbourne and Sydney based The Bridal Atelier liquidated, impacting four staff members and 99 weddings.

Earlier this year, another wedding business, Eden and Bell, which sold floral arrangements to brides and grooms, also collapsed. The Sydney based business owed $530,000 to 85 creditors.

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