Couture & the Power of Skilled Making
04-02-2026
Newsletter 4th February 2026
Couture Celebrates the Skill of Making
(CHOCHENGCO made-to-order, low-waste and crafted in London showcased at Haute Couture Week in Paris)
If haute couture has a role beyond the fantasy, it’s as a reminder of what fashion looks like when time, skill and care are prioritised. These are not outdated ideals reserved for Parisian ateliers, but values the wider industry urgently needs to reclaim. Craft, longevity and intention are essential to fashion’s future.
This is where couture thinking becomes relevant beyond the catwalk. At Fashion-Enter Ltd (FEL), these same principles underpin our production services, from small-run manufacturing and sampling to repair, reuse and reworking. It’s about valuing skilled human labour, extending the life of garments and choosing quality over speed.
Repair and reuse may lack the glamour of a Parisian front row, but this is where impact is real. Every altered pattern, repaired seam or locally produced garment is a deliberate step away from waste and towards a slower, more responsible fashion industry.
To find out more about FEL’s award-winning production services, visit: https://www.fashioncapital.co.uk/sampling-production/the-fashion-studio/
Learn From A Couture Designer
(John Herrera)
Fashion designer and educator John Herrera is a visiting tutor at FEL and his courses, ranging from smocking and corset making, to illustration and patterns have received excellent feedback. John produces his designs by hand from his London studio and his work has graced catwalks all over the globe. Visit the FashionCapital Masterclass / eventbrite page to view all the upcoming classes with John, along with a series of drop-in, after-work sessions for those wanting support and advice on their own projects.
Discounted Hotel Rates For Leicester Made & Regions 2026
Leicester Made & Regions returns on Friday 24th April 2026 at The Venue@DMU, bringing together the UK’s manufacturing community to celebrate innovation, skills and ethical, UK-made production. To support attendees and exhibitors, a range of discounted hotel rates are available across centrally located Leicester hotels, including Novotel & Adagio Leicester, The Gresham Aparthotel and Holiday Inn Leicester. With strong demand expected, early booking is recommended to secure the best rates.
For event or exhibitor enquiries, contact beth@fashion-enter.com
Free Sewing Workshop For 16-18-year-olds – Level 3 Taster
To celebrate our free Level 3 fashion course, we are having a taster day for 16-18-year-olds during the half-term break. We will teach you how to sew and upcycle your own clothes, learn to thread and use various industrial machines, and get you started on making your own clothes.
If you are interested in fashion but unsure where to start this is the ideal opportunity. Join us Friday 20th February from 10am to 4pm at the FC Designer Workspace on Durham Road. Our friendly team will be available to guide you on the best path.
To attend this free session please register here.
Free Online Masterclass – What is Traceability in Fashion
Last week’s free masterclass with Niall Maplesden, Director of The Knowledge Nexus, was a huge success, with attendees praising its clear insights into textile technology, fabric compliance and product development.
Building on this momentum, our next 1-hour masterclass, What is Traceability in Fashion, on Thursday 19th February, will be led by Jenny Holloway, CEO of FEL, exploring why transparency is now essential for trust, credibility and brand growth. Drawing on 30+ years of ethical manufacturing experience, Jenny will break down how to map and communicate your supply chain with confidence, including a live introduction to Galaxius, a powerful tool for showcasing sourcing, production and sustainability in a clear, credible way.
To find out more and confirm your place please register here and a Zoom link will be sent to you closer to the date.
Latest From Leicester…
Skills Bootcamp – Creativity In Action
The latest cohort of Skills Bootcamp learners at Leicester’s Fashion Hub are already making confident strides, embracing creativity and technical skill as they begin their journey into the fashion and textiles industry.
From the very start of the course, students are encouraged to think imaginatively about garment creation. Even those with limited prior experience using industrial sewing machines are challenged to translate a creative brief into a tangible outcome. This early focus on experimentation helps learners build confidence, problem-solve through making, and understand how ideas evolve from concept to finished product.
Tap here to see what the latest cohort has produced.
FTA Leicester Awarded Direct Claim Status For Workers’ Rights Qualification
FCFTA Leicester has been awarded Direct Claim Status by the Skills and Education Group (SEG) following a successful remote moderation of the Level 1 Award in Workers’ Rights and Labour Exploitation.
The decision follows a positive recommendation from external moderator Martin Short, who praised the centre’s well-organised submission and its clear understanding of the importance of the qualification for working people at risk of exploitation. Learner feedback was particularly strong, with candidate numbers expected to grow.
As a result, FCFTA can now claim certificates directly for this qualification via SEG’s Online Registration System until 20th January 2027, ensuring faster certification for successful learners.
Gaining On-Site Insight
Last week, 26th–30th January, Marissa Noel joined the FEL team to gain hands-on work experience within a live garment production environment. During her week with FEL, Marissa worked closely with the production team, gaining valuable insight into how fashion concepts are developed, refined and brought through to finished products. Marissa stated a key highlight of the week was working on repairs, where Marissa gained practical insight into sustainable and circular production practices.
The FEL team are proud to support emerging talent through meaningful work experience opportunities that reflect the realities of the fashion industry today.
Courses Workshops and Masterclasses
Roll-on courses:
Available at all campuses Islington, Haringey and Leicester.
Diploma in Fashion Design and Business
Fashion Design:
6th February (X4 Fridays) – Fashion Design for Beginners – FC Designer Workspace – £180 + eventbrite fee
Pattern Cutting:
7th February – Creative Pattern Making: Bodice and Neckline – FC Designer Workspace – £45 + eventbrite fee
Corset Making:
7th March – Saturday Introduction to Corset Making – FC Designer Workspace – £45 + eventbrite fee
Fashion Illustration:
14th February – 1-Day Fashion Illustration for Beginners Saturday Class – FC Designer Workspace – £45 + eventbrite fee
Repair & Upcycling:
10th February – Free Repair and Upcycling Drop-In – FC Designer Collective shop – free
Free Business Masterclass Online:
19th February – What is Traceability in Fashion – Free Online Masterclass 10am – 11am (register your place and a Zoom link will be emailed closer to the date)
For all course enquiries contact: education@fashion-enter.com or call 0208 809 3311
This Week on FashionCapital…
It may not be the most glamorous, but it’s one of the most important developments in UK fashion right now. The UK Textiles Pact, published by WRAP, has released a ten-point, industry-backed blueprint for a mandatory UK Textiles Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, aimed at stabilising the failing used-textiles sector and accelerating the shift to a circular economy. With nearly half of all used textiles currently ending up in the bin, and local authority costs projected to hit £200m a year by 2035 without intervention, the message is clear: urgent government action is needed. The blueprint calls for responsibility to move upstream, ensuring producers help fund reuse and recycling infrastructure and play a fair role in managing clothing at end of life.
Tap here to read: UK Textiles Pact Sets Out Ten – Point Plan for a Mandatory Textiles EPR Scheme
And Finally…Looking to Repair or Upcycle?
If you are based in London come and join us for the next free, repair and upcycling drop-in session. Taking place Tuesday 10th February at the FC Designer Collective shop, the space is equipped with machines and experienced technicians. To register your attendance please tap here and don’t forget to bring in your clothing or textile items that you would like to work on. These sessions are generously supported by Islington Council.
Until next time, have a great week.
From the Team at FashionCapital / Fashion-Enter Ltd
