Combining Education and Industry

Newsletter 13th July 2022

Wales: Time to Combine Heritage with Fashion for Newtown Today! 

Last Friday 8th July was a big day for fashion in Newtown Wales, the ‘Made in Wales – The Fashion Event’ was, in our CEO’s Jenny Holloway’s words: “Tremendous! – Not a word I use often!” 

She went on to say: “All the hard work and planning came together and the collaboration with Newtown College was a huge success. So much work had gone into this project which created a unique event combing education with industry.”

Grateful thanks to the Baroness Morgan of Ely, MS for Mid & West Wales – Minister for Health & Social Services, Diane Reynolds, Head of Economy and Digital Services at Powys County Council, Catherine Lewis Deputy Principal / Deputy Chief Executive Officer at NPTC Group of Colleges, Phil Oakley, UK Director at Kornit Digital, Simon Platts, Director of Responsible Sourcing for ASOS, all the students at Newtown College and of course Fashion-Enter Wales and Leicester.

To read all about the event tap here.

Wales: Novelle Yarn Project

Jenny comments: “The Novelle yarn programme has been one of the most exciting programmes we have worked on in the last 17-years! We have created a new yarn that has a minimum 50% Welsh Wool content combined with PET and SNR.

“We’re very appreciative to SMARTCymru who have allowed this innovation to take place and now we have two retailers that have a genuine desire and intent to use Welsh Wool in commercial production.”   

Tap here to read about this project so far!

Haringey: Shadow Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Takes a Tour of the Factory 

Last Thursday 7th July we welcomed Abena Oppong-Asare MP, Shadow Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, for a visit and tour of the factory to mark the first National Manufacturing Day. 

Abena was particularly impressed with our technology, including the FashTech Innovation Centre incorporating Kornit Digital printing technology, and the far reaching projects that we are working on. She personally wrote a letter expressing her thanks. To read this and about her visit tap here.

Leicester: Summer – Career Choices 

Summer started early in Leicester with schools breaking up for summer holidays last week. This is a great time to start to consider career pathways and if you are over the age of 16 and would like to consider an apprenticeship role – please get in contact with: jackie@fashion.enter.com 

We currently have 4 fantastic roles available with 80% on-the-job training and then 1 day spent here at the Academy to work towards a Level 2 – 3 or 4 Diploma in Fashion and Textiles. These Apprenticeship courses are Free – courtesy of funding from Boohoo Group. Tap here for the roles available.

Launch of the ATMF 

Fashion-Enter have been invited to the launch of the Apparel and Textile Manufacturers Federation on Monday 18^th July at the House of Commons.  The role of this organisation is very important in helping address the various issues that have been facing the UK garment industry over the last few years concerning compliance, health & safety, workers’ rights and negative publicity. The aim of the Federation is to  weed out any bad practices, in collaboration with various audit bodies, and move forward together. 

Learners IAG Session

IAG stands for ‘Information, Guidance, Advice and Guidance’, a session on which we provide our learners every three months. Yesterday, 12th July, we held an IAG with all campuses joining in via Zoom. CEO Jenny Holloway commented: “The education and skills attainment we provide must really kick start our learners careers and have a lasting impact. I personally feel as though it’s a great honour to be trusted with a learners education and therefore want them to have an outstanding learning journey with us.  We have many learners that we keep in touch with over the years and they very much become friends of the FTA!” 

Islington: Modest Fashion at Kimonos & Canapés 

The Kimonos & Canapés event hosted by Anaqaa Apparel at the FC Designer Collective on Fonthill Road takes place this Saturday 16th July  12 – 5pm. Come along for a preview of new designs by ALAS by Anaqaa Apparel, special event discounts, music, canapés and more. 

FC Designer Collective, 113-115, Fonthill Road, London N4 3HH. Close to Finsbury Park tube station. 

Jobs and Apprenticeships

For the latest fashion jobs and apprenticeships on offer please tap here.

Masterclasses and Courses

Ongoing Stitching, Patterns and Tailoring Courses 

How to Grow Sales downloadable masterclasses with Carley Johnson

The Sampling Process Via Zoom – 21st July

Outfit of the Week

Feeling hot, hot, hot! Time to tap into Caroline’s Belles of London collection for loose-fitting strappy, dresses like this Grecian inspired maxi. Tap here to view and shop.

This Week on FashionCapital

Did you know in 2022, Google searches for ‘Sunday markets’ in the UK were 13% higher than its 19-year average? Since the lift of pandemic restrictions going to a local market to look for ethical, local products has steadily increased in popularity.

And Finally…

One of the FC Designer Workspace residents Tricia Blake, founder of Diva Choice, is raising money for Diabetes. Tricia is taking the One Million step challenge, aiming to take one million steps over 3 months and looking to raise £1000. Her mother has Diabetes and she has seen firsthand on how debilitating it can be. Tricia would be grateful for any donations made, every pound helps. Please visit: https://step.diabetes.org.uk/fundraising/tricia13#fitness-feed

Until next time, have a great week!

The Team at FashionCapital