20 Years of Fashion – Enter Ltd: A Reflection From CEO Jenny Holloway

By Jenny Holloway, CEO of Fashion-Enter Ltd and Chair of the ATMF

Twenty years ago today, Fashion-Enter Ltd was incorporated. After a career in buying with Littlewoods Retail Limited, Marks & Spencer and Arcadia, followed by my time at the London Development Agency, I founded Fashion-Enter in 2006 with a clear vision: To create a new kind of fashion support company – one that was genuine, inclusive and rooted in reality. I wanted a business with a flat structure, free from finger-pointing and blame culture, where people could truly collaborate and thrive.

Back in 2006, conversations around ethics and sustainability were few and far between. But for me, these values were instinctive. They were woven into the very fibre of the company from day one. I simply wanted Fashion-Enter Ltd (FEL) to be the best it could be – not just commercially, but responsibly.

(Jenny pictured right at Number 10 Downing Street to promote UK manufacturing and skills.)

Over the past two decades, our journey has been defined by one key principle: relevance. It’s always been about offering the right products and services at the right time. At our peak, we employed nearly 180 staff and were manufacturing up to 30,000 garments a week. Those were remarkable milestones, but the industry has evolved dramatically since then.

Today, the factory landscape looks very different. Smaller orders, flexible manufacturing, and meaningful collaborations are now essential. I have immense respect for organisations like United Repair Centre, Maeknit Manufacturing and Loop Kinetics, who are leading the way in modern production capabilities.

(Fashion Technology Academy – Haringey)

Education has also become a cornerstone of what we do. Through our Fashion Technology Academy, we now operate in Islington, Haringey and Leicester, working closely with local councils to deliver skills and opportunities. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing creatives gain confidence, develop their abilities, and go on to start their own businesses. That sense of progression and empowerment is truly priceless.

(FC Designer Workspace – Islington)

We’ve also had the privilege of delivering groundbreaking initiatives such as the Affordable Workspace Programme in Islington – transforming a derelict underground car park into state-of-the-art design studios, complete with a retail space. It’s a project I’m incredibly proud of, and one that simply wouldn’t have been possible without the belief and support of people like Caroline Wilson.

When I first started Fashion-Enter. Ltd, I had a five-year plan – which quickly became a ten-year plan. The idea was to build the business, sell it and retire into the sunset. But that turned out to be more of a fairytale than a reality. Because the truth is, you fall in love with the people. You work 12 to 15 hours a day because you genuinely care about giving the company life.

(Fashion-Enter Ltd – Factory)

You lie awake at night thinking about what comes next – and then, somewhere along the way, you realise that it’s not just about the destination. It’s about the journey.

Every day is different. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities. And like a river, sometimes the best thing you can do is go with the flow. Time is incredibly precious. In the blink of an eye, 20 years have passed.

So to everyone we have supported, collaborated with, and learned from – and to the incredible team who show up every single day – thank you. Life is what you make it. And you should never be afraid to live the life you truly want to lead.

If you would like to find out more about Fashion-Enter Ltd and the services we provide please tap here.