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Newsletter 21st October 2015
Dear all,
ASOS.com have long provided the backbone to our production facility in North London, so naturally the latest financial statement from the group comes as welcome news. The company squeezed out a 1pc increase in pre-tax profits to £47.5m for the year to 31 August and a 17pc increase in group sales. UK sales grew by 27pc to £473m, accounting for almost half of the company’s total sales.
Jenny Holloway, FashionCapital & Fashion Enter CEO commented on the figures:
“There is no other company like ASOS.com that have provided Fashion Enter with such support over the last eight years. Their commitment to our not-for-profit company that manufacturers high quality clothing but also trains and supports the unemployed is phenomenal. We would have not have survived the high and lows in production without senior management and buying support. Business is all about relationship building and ASOS.com is leading the way for UK manufacturing and skills development.”
FTA To Officially Launch
The manufacturing skills development facility the Fashion Technology Academy (FTA) is to officially launch on 25th November 2015. Re-skilling a new generation in production methods the FTA is a collaborative project with Fashion Enter Ltd – sister company to FashionCapital.co.uk, Haringey Council, DWP and global e-tailer ASOS.com. The facility soft launched in March 2015 and will now receive its official grand opening with councillors of Haringey, representatives of the Mayor’s office and the press in attendance.
www.fashioncapital.co.uk/learning/fta
Skills London 2015
Fashion Capital & Fashion Enter CEO Jenny Holloway was more than happy to take part in a recent video to promote careers in the creative sector for Skills London.
Skills London is London’s biggest jobs and careers event for young people from across the Capital. Focusing on young people aged 15-24 the event attracts more than 30,000 individuals across two days.
To view the ‘So You Want to Work in the Creative Industry’ click here.
Skills London 2015 will be held Friday 13 – Saturday 14 November 9.30am – 4pm at ExCeL London, E16 1XL to find out more go to: www.skillslondon2015.co.uk
The Latest From The Fashion Studio
 This week at the Fashion Studio we have been covered in rainbow silks and gorgeous intricate prints in preparation for the launch of Longstaff Longstaff a luxury loungewear brand.
Longstaff Longstaff was developed by textile designer Sophie Barnard. Sophie has used her distinctive, hand painted designs to produce beautiful silk robes, tunics and pyjamas. This premier collection is designed to be worn in bed, around the house, or as separates. The joy of the collection is to be able to mix print with plain, print with print and long with short so buyers and customers decide which combinations work for them. Camisoles and chemises; long and short pyjamas; wrap-around robes and tunics that are as elegantly laid back as you can get.
The first direct sale launch will be in November at the Country Living Fair at the Business Design Centre and then at The Lingerie Edit trade show in January. Sophie’s passion for design and comfort is what will give this beautiful collection the success it deserves.
Sophie added, “Finding the Fashion Studio was a godsend. Pattern cutters, machinists and managers all in one place meant liaising with key people was much easier. It has taken me a long time to launch Longstaff Longstaff having gone down many expensive, dead-end routes, but with the launch in sight, it’s all getting very exciting! One of the most important elements has been the mentoring programme offered by the Fashion Studio – worth every penny!”
To find out more about the services provided by The Fashion Studio click here
Gutermann Seminar for FTA Students
Barry Spencer from Gutermann, the renowned producer of quality threads, attended the FTA to give students an insightful seminar. www.fashioncapital.co.uk/learning/fta
In The Press
Jenny Holloway has just been interviewed for the next edition of The Courier www.wearecourier.com, which will be available in print and online.
On another note a dress we produced at The Fashion Studio for designer Michaela Jedinak has had some great coverage in Harper’s Bazaar. The customised black single-crepe Bailey dress by Michaela Jedinak was worn by Tina Brown pictured with Queen Rania of Jordan at the Women in the World Summit 2015.
Left: Michaela at The Fashion Studio. Right: Tina Brown wearing her design next to Queen Rania of Jordan
Fabric & Garment Sale Saturday 31st October
If you are looking for quality silks, chiffons, jerseys or even a new outfit to wear you’ll be pleased to know our next discounted fabric and sample sale is in the diary for Saturday 31st October 10am – 1pm. Last month the sale attracted design students from the London College of Fashion alongside designers and home dressmakers, there is indeed something for everyone!
Fabric & Sample Sale
When: Saturday 31st October 2015 10am – 1pm
Where: Fashion Enter, Crusader Estate, 167, Hermitage Road,
London, N4 1LZ. Nearest tube Manor House.
Young Designer Eleni Christodoulou on her Intensive Week with the Fashion Enter team
 Eleni Christodoulou comments:
“I was really thrilled to win a week’s brand and production tuition with Fashion Enter in one of the most influential fashion cities in the world; London.
I have learnt a vast number of stiches and the correct procedure for taking accurate body measurements. The freedom of designing a dress has fulfilled my creative needs. It was a joy to work with a professional team that gave me such expert advice; they were all very friendly and gave me confidence from the outset.
I feel that this week has influenced my personal development and has given me lots of inspiration for the future. I am really thankful to everyone who helped me and I hope to keep in contact with Fashion Enter.”
Melissa Kiziloz from Fashion Enter adds:
“I have really enjoyed working so closely with Eleni, she is really gifted and talented. I have seen with my own eyes her work improve in skill and expertise. This is exactly what we do at Fashion Enter. If you have the ideas we have the skills to make your dreams a reality. Good luck in the future Eleni it has been a real pleasure working with you and we wish you well with your career in the fashion industry.”
No Fixed Abode with ‘FRESH DRESSED” Exclusive Screening
 Fresh Dressed, a new documentary by Mass Appeal founder Sacha Jenkins, chronicles how hip-hop and its lasting relationship with fashion resulted in an expression of aspiration that resonated with an entire generation.
Featuring interviews with Damon Dash, Pharrell Williams, Kanye West and Karl Kani, Fresh Dressed explores the issues of identity, self expression and music and how it has influenced streetwear how we know it today.
“The History of Fresh” will be held on the 24th October, in East London, and will include an exclusive screening of “Fresh Dressed” (at the iconic Rio Cinema in Dalston) as well as a panel discussion featuring some of the UK’s most prominent streetwear experts (including representatives from the London College of Fashion, as well as Wale Adeyemi MBE, founder of B-side and Marc Hare, founder of Mr. Hare) to talk through how the UK took the style from America and made it their own.
The after party music and fashion presentation (being held at London Fields Brewery), designed to showcase some of the most exciting streetwear designers including, No Fixed Abode. Featuring VJ-ing performances from Visonbombing.
Saturday 24th October 2015, (2pm onwards) at Rio Cinema, 107 Kingsland High Street, London E8 2PB.
Tickets are available now from: http://tinyurl.com/freshdresseduk
RIXO London to Launch Limited Edition Piece
 Our good friends and ex ASOS.com Buyers Henrietta Rix and Orlagh McCloskey are launching their limited edition hand painted cosmic print just in time for Christmas, perfect for the party season! The galaxy print is complimented by a sprinkling of eco-friendly glitter- a subtle way to add vintage glamour to your festive look.
The collection is inspired by the duos love of astrology and the zodiac, it will launch in store at Baar & Bass on the New King’s Road on Thursday the 29th of October 2015. If you cannot make the launch, you won’t miss out as it will be available on their website www.rixo.co.uk too.
We couldn’t be more proud of the ladies at Rixo… long may the cosmic journey continue!
This Week on FashionCapital.co.uk…
Paul Markevicius attends the Textile Forum’s latest Fashion Fabric Show and reports on how heritage brands are embracing new concepts and design talent. Editor JoJo Iles heads north to take in design talent showcasing at the Midlands Fashion Awards 2015. Well done to winners Maurice Whittingham, Sarah Louise Woodward, Georgia Richardson and Spirit of Harlequin. And Katie Farley reviews the key emerging trends as seen on the Spring/Summer 2016 catwalks.
Boutique Pick of the Week
As any woman will attest a winter boot is an essential A/W purchase for those living in cooler climes. Inspired by the catwalk these sleek, minimal boots finish above the knee to give a lean leg-lengthening effect. Thankfully these Sole Hydro Boots come at a fraction of the price compared to their designer counterparts.
Sole Hydro Boots available in taupe or black £79.99 at Sole Trader
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