Sustainability + Support + Shows
17-09-2025
Newsletter 17th September 2025
Free Industry Support and Advice – Don’t Miss Out!
We are incredibly fortunate to have legal expert Kevin Withane FRSA, Impact Lawyers, hosting a free, one-day Funding Readiness Programme tailored specifically for creatives ready to scale. Taking place at FC Designer Workspace, this resource-rich day will blend legal essentials with creative insight – think fireside chats, pitch coaching, and hands-on support with cap tables, IP protection, and funding strategy.
Scheduled for Thursday 25th September, we have a few places remaining. Whether you’re preparing for your first raise or exploring alternative funding paths, this workshop is your gateway to becoming investor-ready.
To find out more and register your place go to: Eventbrite Link
Leicester Based – Then Come Along to Fashion Forward
Offering more industry advice, support and networking, our first Fashion Forward meeting at LCB Depot will host a roster of guest speakers.
Coming up for the first edition Tuesday 30th September from 2pm:
The Fashion Guild & Peter Gallagher-Witham
“AI to 3D to Sales: Transforming Ideas into Profits”
Discover how cutting-edge tools like AI and 3D tech are revolutionising the journey from concept to consumer.
Russell Hammond
“Four Areas That Unlock Growth”
A deep dive into Data, Analytics, Process, and People – and how to optimise each to fuel sustainable growth.
Midori – Affordable eTail Solutions
With Kelly Yiu & Miles Anderson
Learn about scalable, affordable online retail solutions for brands of every size.
Join us and connect with Leicester’s fashion network, gain actionable insights from industry leaders, explore affordable tech and retail tools and learn how to future-proof your fashion business.
Spaces are limited – Register via eventbrite here
The Growing Need For Skilled Stitchers!
According to https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ the secondhand goods market, is expected to triple in size across Europe to £86billion in the next 10 years. Vinted is now the biggest clothing online retailer in France and yet we have a serious shortage of skilled sewing machinists – that can support with repairs, repurposing and upcycling.
This is where FC/FEL/FTA can support on three counts:
1. We provide repair and repurposing for designers / brands at our Haringey factory, no MOQ
2. We have Fashion Technology Academy’s in Haringey, Islington and Leicester that teach Level 1 & 2 Stitching courses as well as Pattern Cutting and Skills Bootcamp programmes
3. We have public accessible 1 – 3 day courses at our Islington campus, along with bi-monthly FREE drop in repair sessions at our Fonthill Road shop
The opportunities are there – so let’s get stitching!
Enrolling Now…
We are now enrolling for students wanting to join the Level 1 (5-week) and Level 2 (10-week) courses in either Stitching or Pattern Cutting.
Feedback from a former learner: “Amazing place to learn how about stitching/sewing and fashion! Such a cool space with a mix of students and fashion designers. The teachers are so lovely and have a ton of experience. Courses are super affordable as well.”
Visit: https://fcfta.com/courses/ to find out more, or email education@fashion-enter.com
More Creative Courses Coming Your Way
FTA Head of Education Lan Leeder said: “We are excited to announce that we have almost completed the approval process to deliver the UAL qualifications. We will be introducing more creative courses in the near future!”
The FTA will be adding UAL Level 3 Diploma and a UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma – both in Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication to their range of courses.
Repair Voucher Scheme Workshop
On 15th September, ReLondon hosted an online feasibility workshop to explore the potential implementation of a Repair Voucher Scheme in London. The event brought together 40 participants, including industry experts, sustainability advocates, repair professionals, and local authority representatives. Among them was Jenny Holloway, CEO of Fashion-Enter Ltd and Chair of the Apparel Taskforce Manufacturing Forum (ATMF), who represented her organisation in this pivotal discussion. Tap here to find out more.
FEL CEO Confirmed to Speak at UKFT and ASBCI
Our Founder and CEO will be speaking at the UKFT Sustainability Conference taking place on 25th September 2025 at Drapers’ Hall, London. This year the conference theme Innovation In Action, will explore how innovation is driving real change across the UK fashion and textile supply chain. The conference will highlight latest innovations driving a more sustainable industry, from next-generation materials and low-impact dyes and finishes to advanced manufacturing technologies and recycling solutions.
The following month Jenny will bring industry realities to the fore and challenge attendees to take responsibility for implementing lasting change at the 2025 ASBCI Conference. Taking place on 16th October 2025 at the University of Manchester, this pivotal conference, Fashion’s Future: Sustainable, Scalable, Profitable. How Do We Get There?, will spotlight the very real challenge of achieving lasting, transformative change across the entire fashion value chain.
Introducing New Commodity
It was amazing to meet Hannah from New Commodity on the factory floor this week. Hannah and our CEO, Jenny, go way back from Hannah’s young days as an intern! Today, Hannah and her collaborative partner Danielle, have created ‘New Commodity’, reworking post consumer cloth into practical and stylish items. Check out their #don’t throw in the towel campaign aligned with www.myskinfeels.com @myskinfeels. The FEL team is thrilled to be providing production for this genuine, sustainable brand – check out their products and what they are all about here: https://www.newcommodity.co.uk/
Short YouTube interview: https://youtu.be/QBN3py4ktEs
A Big Thank You to The Genuine Fund
Thanks to a generous donation to The Genuine Fund the FTA team have been able to provide training for 12 individuals. The Fund supports those that are unemployed wanting to learn and gain recognised qualifications in fashion and textiles.
The courses currently underway are designed to give students both technical skills and employability support – from mastering industrial sewing techniques and garment construction to learning about the fashion production process.
Jenny Holloway, CEO of Fashion-Enter Ltd, commented: “We are incredibly grateful to The Genuine Fund for their generous support. This funding is directly changing lives by helping unemployed individuals gain essential skills, confidence, and industry-recognised qualifications. These courses don’t just teach stitching – they open doors to employment and self-employment opportunities in fashion and textiles.”
15 Learners Complete Worker’s Rights Course
Through the UKSPF programme, FTA Leicester has been funded to deliver employability training to 45 candidates by March 2026. The team are pleased to share that they have already completed their first Level 1 course on Workers’ Rights and Labour Exploitation with 15 learners.
Each session has been a unique experience, and it has been inspiring to see the learners’ strong interest and active participation. The course covers a wide range of important topics, including:
- How to search for jobs effectively
- Identifying genuine versus bogus job opportunities
- Understanding different types of contracts and employment statuses
- Recognising various forms of exploitation
- Knowing where to seek support, both nationally and locally
It was particularly encouraging to see participants openly share their own workplace experiences during discussions. Many of the learners, especially those who are currently unemployed or preparing to enter the workforce, found the course highly valuable. They expressed that it gave them practical knowledge and greater confidence about what to look out for as they move into employment.
Courses Workshops and Masterclasses
Roll-on courses:
Available at all campuses Islington, Haringey and Leicester.
Diploma in Fashion Design and Business
Repair & Upcycling:
30th September – Free Repair and Upcycling Drop-In – FC Designer Collective shop – free
Advice and Support:
26th September – Mastering the Fashion Business Blueprint: Fine-tuning Your Plan for Success – Free masterclass via Zoom 10 – 11- please register and a Zoom link will be sent to you closer to the date
For all course enquiries contact: education@fashion-enter.com or call 0208 809 3311
This Week on FashionCapital…
And Finally…London Fashion Week is Back
(Apu Jan at LFW image by Chris Daw)
It’s that time of year again – with New York Fashion Week wrapping up – next stop: London (18th – 22nd Sept). Members of the FashionCapital team will be taking note of the fashion – on and off the catwalk, and it will be interesting to see how new BFC chief executive, Laura Weir, implements her reset plan for the event. More on this next week!
Until next time, have a great week.
From the Team at FashionCapital/Fashion-Enter Ltd
