Dear All

The FashionCapital Facelift!

Welcome to the new and approved FashionCapital. The relaunch was orginally due in early June, 6 weeks from now, but thanks to the hard work and the success of the new graphics and navigation we can now reveal FashionCapital's new look.

We hope you enjoy navigating your way around the new site.

Croydon Fashion Festival

Croydon's first ever Fashion Festival gets underway on the 16^th June, running until the 23^rd. It is perhaps a bit surprising that Croydon has never seen a similar Fashion Event before considering some of the famous fashion icons who herald from the area – Kate Moss and John Galliano to name but two.

The week promises to be big hit, with a packed series of events, seminars, and workshops scheduled. The Festival has the backing of Croydon College, who will be showcasing the best in local talent in their own series of catwalk shows, and also will feature the ‘The Face of Croydon' competition, where budding young models will compete to be the next Kate Moss.

So with a whole host of exciting proceedings guaranteeing a stylish few days in Croydon, the areas first ever fashion extravaganza looks set to become a regular fixture in the years ahead.

The Face of Barking!

Due to the resounding success of The Face of Croydon the competition is now being taken to East London in Barking and Dagenham. The Face of Croydon is now in its second year and with this years fantastic prizes on offer including a trip to New York, courtesy of Centrale Shopping Centre, to model in NY Profile during New York Fashion Week, the competition is really hotting up and branching out to other boroughs in London. We have already had our first entry from Barking and hope to receive many more as the competition gets underway.

We are looking for exciting, well made quality accessory ranges to show the Accessories Buyer from ASOS next week.

The buyer will be looking to launch new designer collections online end-June/mid-July 2008 and will be looking for the following products lines at both High Street (£20 – £150) & Premium price points (£150+): –

If you would like your collection to be considered for the selection meeting taking place next week, then please click here to fill out form and include 6 images of your collection Please note that you must be in a position to supply orders within the short term e.g. have a manufacturer in place, materials, sufficient cash flow.

We regret that due the high volume of applications, we will only be able to respond to those selected candidates and if you do not hear back from us within seven days then your collection has not been selected on this occasion.

Please send a selection of images to Hayleigh@fashion-enter.com

And in the subject type: ASOS Accessories

Click here for Press Release

Stephanie from ladieswear label LaDamsal is one of the designers now showcasing in ASOS.com. Stephanie commented:

'This really is a fantastic opportunity to work with a leading online retailer such as ASOS.com – with thanks to Fashion Enter for their help and especially Hayleigh Amos, Fashion Enter's Sales Manager.'

South African Delegates

FashionCapital would like to say a big welcome to the South African delegates who will be arriving in London this Sunday. The nine delegates including Tale Motsepe, Chief Director of the Cultural Department and Masana Chikeka, Deputy Director of the Department of Arts and Culture have a fantastic week ahead of them. Their agenda will provide them with a unique insight into the London fashion industry and even includes a visit to Houses of Parliament. We hope the delegates thoroughly enjoy their time in London.

Retail News

You would think with the sun shining everyone would be eager to purchase their new summer wardrobe and hit the high street!

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said underlying trading remained difficult. Director-general Stephen Robertson from the BRC said:

"Retailers will look to the recent sunny weather to provide some boost but with the economic fundamentals remaining weak, there seems no reason for these tough trading conditions to improve soon."

April’s retail sales were the worst since 2005

UK retail sales values fell 1.5 per cent for April, compared with the same month last year, when sales were up 2.4 per cent Last week high street retailer Next reported a 9 per cent drop in sales however good news for Jaeger who saw their profits soar. The High street retailer’s sales climbed 16% to £82.2 million, according to Draper's Record.

Creating Business Success 2008

Creating innovation for the 21^st Century
Wednesday 4 June 2008, 12.00 – 17.00
Croydon Park Hotel, 7 Altyre Road, Croydon, Surrey, CR9 5AA
Free Entry

To be a creative genius you don't have to be a graphic designer. You don't have to be a fashion designer. Instead, we all have moments when our creative vision provides flashes of pure brilliance that can take our businesses from one level to another.

Utilise the power of the innovation for the creative industries in your business to create real success. Book your place and join us for an inspirational keynote session, workshops and advice and support from the world of creative industries.

This event is free and can be booked by contacting Croydon Chamber of Commerce on 020 8916 2345 or by visiting www.croydonchamber.org.uk.

Boutique of Pick of the Week

Made with the finest soft to the touch Italian leather, Cora & Spink have not only created this year's Spring Summer must have accessory, they have considerately provided the ultimate look amazing, feel fabulous sensation we all love to cherish when purchasing an item only dreams are made of in these fabulous miniature clutch bags, a trend to be followed by all this season. The delightful diagonal stitching detail separates these clutches from conventional bags with a twist of personality. Indulge in one of these three gorgeous bags found on www.enter-boutique.com and Enter Boutique in Croydon for £45.