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Newsletter 6th January 2016
Dear All,
Happy New Year! Now that 2016 is well underway it’s time to forward plan and climb that fashion career ladder.
Jennifer Sutton | Development Manager comments: “For ten years we have been supporting new and emerging designers by giving them honest and truthful advice. Being an award winning social enterprise we have the respect and confidence from all of our clients ranging from M&S to PPQ. We really are here to support each designer no matter how big or small their budget is.”
FashionCapital.co.uk is a one-stop portal to help you from courses to jobs, apprenticeships to production, mentoring to business and legal advice.
To find out more about our range of services please click here
Studio Space Available
As a part of our ongoing support we can now offer an extended service of a fully equipped studio space with private desk, computer and internet access for rent on a weekly basis; ideal for fashion graduates, scale-up fashion businesses and independent designers looking for an affordable professional environment to thrive in.
Located at The Fashion Technology Academy in North London the space is a hub of creativity with the latest machinery, pattern cutting tables, desk space and skilled technicians on hand.
What’s included:
Private desk space with computer and internet access
Studio facilities including:
17 Flat machines
9 Over lockers
2 Twin needle flat machines
1 Baby lock machine
1 Cover stitch machine
1 Binding machine
1 French machine
1 Shoulder pad sewing machine
Alvaform fit mannequins
Pattern cutting tables
Technician
Discounted wholesale fabrics and trims for sale
Opening hours:
Monday – Friday from 8am – 7pm and Saturday 8am – 1pm.
Costs:
Charged at a weekly rate of £80 plus vat. Please note members will have priority and a 10% discount.
To enquire or book please email info@fashion-enter.com
Fabrics at Your Fingertips
Our online FC FabricStudio www.fcfabricstudio.com is now live and ready for business and Razina Bapu is on hand to take orders and answer any queries.
Razina comments:
“My name is Razina and as part of my apprenticeship I work on the new Fabric Studio. Every week I add in new fabrics that are at low wholesale prices. Many fabrics are from the UK in line with our policy of supporting British manufacturing. I am here to help and support you and my email address is Razina@fashion-enter.com”
If you would like to come in and view our selection of fabrics on offer the next monthly fabric sale at the Fashion Technology Academy will take place on Saturday 30th January.
www.fcfabricstudio.com
In-House Positions Available
Our sister company Fashion Enter is expanding The Factory and is on the hunt for Experienced Machinists. If you have stitching experience in lockstitching, overlocking, telling, coverstitching and buttonhole stitching then we would like to hear from you.
The Factory is also looking for an Assistant Quality Supervisor, applicants must fully understand production processes, work under pressure to tight deadlines, have excellent people skills along with IT and numeracy skills.
To apply please send your CV to Christine@fashion-enter.com
Factory Visits
 Last year the Factory Site Visits we offer to cohorts of students became an essential part of the curriculum for schools and colleges offering a fashion and textiles course. This year we already have visits confirmed with St Anne’s school in Enfield, Ravensbourne and Westminster College. For each tour we will be taking students through the garment life cycle and explaining how garments are produced by demonstrating the processes of the Factory and the Fashion Studio. This is a real unique insight into the world of manufacturing and enables students to see first hand how a UK factory operates.
Comments from the latest site visit from Bath Spa University included:
‘I have learnt the whole process of how garments are manufactured and roles within the factory, also the importance of relationships between buyers, designers and manufacturers. I really enjoyed the experience and found it very helpful to be shown how everything works. I find it very impressive how much you want to help new designers.’ Sarah
‘Excellent experience to see what happens in this side of the industry!’ Abigail
‘I have learnt a lot about UK factories, workers, how to set up a company, what to think about, Health & Safety, cabbage, commercial brands, career options in the industry. I really enjoyed the talk which really inspired me.’ Gemma
‘Really pleasant atmosphere and completely insightful and interesting. Lots of insights into the world of manufacturing.’ Samantha
If you are a fashion and textiles tutor and would like to book a visit for your students please email jenni@fashion-enter.com
News From The Fashion Studio: Hospital Pyjamas
Kirsty Glynn introduces her niche range:
Hospital Pyjamas are specially designed pyjamas for children and adults going into hospital or receiving nursing care at home. The pyjamas allow access for IV lines, plaster casts and orthopaedic appliances and they are 100 per cent cotton and wash at 60 degrees. Unlike traditional pyjamas or hospital gowns, there is no need to disconnect medical equipment saving on valuable nursing time.
As a trained nurse, the idea came about after my son needed hospital care when he was younger and like all mums, I wanted to make his stay as comfortable as possible. I wanted to offer a fun but practical alternative to the very old style hospital gowns whilst promoting privacy and comfort.
The best part of this journey has been the design and trial process of which there have been many! Jenny and the Studio team at Fashion Enter have been a constant source of support and patience and the quality of their work is second to none and it is for this reason that I have been able to make the pyjamas in the UK whilst complying with the necessary hospital regulations.
Jenny Holloway comments:
“From the very start Kirsty was fastidious about attention to detail, the quality of her fabric and components and above all the fit of her pyjama collection
“Kirsty spent the best part of three years researching and redefining the fit for the different age groups. She would never be rushed and knew exactly what she wanted to achieve in terms of the final finished garments. We just helped Kirsty to arrive there!
“To now see Hospital Pyjamas being sold at GOSH is such a proud moment for us at Fashion Enter. We are just delighted to see Kirsty receive the true respect and recognition she so rightly deserves for her collection. For us at Fashion Enter it’s the best New Year’s present! Well done to the pattern cutters and Fashion Studio for making Kirsty’s brand a reality.”
Congratulations to Our M&S Apprentices
We can now confirm the lucky individuals that have landed an apprenticeship with M&S:
Aanisah Suhail
Annabel D’Souza
Gloria Massamba – Lutama
Henrietta Bell
Melissa Allada
Nadia Forkeerchand
Russie Miessi
Congratulations and we wish you all the best of luck.
As the new apprentices begin on their learning journey we will be holding a celebration on the 15th January for the nine that have just completed their M&S apprenticeship.
These include:
 Laura Cowdry
Folasade Amos
Lucy Levett
Natalie Hurst Knight
Sharren Awere (pictured right)
Rhiannon Hair
Lucy Turnill-Phillips
Khadra Osman
Bethany Dillion
All will receive a completion certificate at the celebration event.
The DWP Grant Scheme
 The DWP Grant scheme which ran January 15 – December 15, was an initiative to engage those unemployed and on benefits who were looking to gain or improve their skills in fashion manufacturing and gain employment. Working closely with North London Job Centres, we successfully engaged with these learners and provided them with the skills to get into employment and they also achieved a nationally recognised ABC accredited qualification. These learners started at Level 1, some went straight into employment, some progressed onto our Level 2 course and then went into employment. Supported by our amazing teaching team, the success of these learners shows these Grants are needed and do work.
Jenny Holloway comments: “I have to credit Carl our new Operations Manager for being absolutely fastidious with the successful completion of the DWP Grant. We have now employed directly some of the learners too. This is what real skills training is all about. Real training due real skills for real jobs. Well done too to the concerted team effort by the teachers. Proud of everyone involved.”
On FashionCapital.co.uk This Week…
Sophie Lau takes a look at the key trends due to emerge throughout 2016. Our CEO passes on her golden advice when it comes to Range Planning with her top tips. Temperley London and Topshop head office are currently looking for a print designer and a junior graphic designer respectively. Meanwhile, we are gearing up for London Collections: Men starting this Friday – fancy your chances of attending a talk or bidding for a front row ticket? Then check out our latest articles in ‘News’ & ‘Trends.’
Boutique Pick of the Week
With menswear, London and the shows in mind we stumbled upon Brixton, a brand established in Brixton in 2004, inspired by the music, culture and individuals of the area. Combining modern with traditional we picked out this Brixton Gain Fedora, a great piece to make that style statement while perusing the latest designer collections.
Brixton Gain Fedora £50- available in S, M, L at ASOS.com
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