Its Women That Make the Fashion World Go Round

A whopping 80% of garment workers around the globe are female and this figure reflects right back here in our very own Factory based in North London. Without these skilled women we wouldn’t have a manufacturing business and as a female led company we provide career opportunities at every level.

Gender equality is a human right and while the fashion industry has a very long way to go with regards to exploitation and inequality here at the Fashion-Enter Factory we are proud to work ethically and with staff that feel valued and empowered.

To celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) here are four women from the company sharing their fashion story and their views about women in manufacturing today…

Beth Davy-Day – Senior Designer

How long have you worked in the fashion industry? 10 years. 

Do you think there are enough women leading manufacturing companies in the UK? No, it’s a very male-led sector of the industry – it would be refreshing to see more of a balance.

Would you recommend working in fashion to other young women? Yes definitely, there are many opportunities to develop an exciting career that lets you see the world and explore your passion. 

What are the highs and lows of working in fashion? It’s a fast-paced industry that can be very ruthless and disheartening at times and takes a lot of strength to push your way through to get your voice heard but if you keep pushing it can be very rewarding and you get to go to work for your passion and not just a pay slip.  

Dawn Foxall – Pattern Cutting Tutor

How long have you worked in the fashion industry? 30 plus years.

Do you think there are enough women leading manufacturing companies in the UK? You’d be surprised how many women run manufacturing companies in the UK – but they’re just not heard. They haven’t got the ego that men have got so you don’t hear about them as much leading manufacturing companies.

Would you recommend working in fashion to other young women? Absolutely, but it’s very time consuming it’s not a 9-5.

What are the highs and lows of working in fashion? The lows are the long hours and the stress and anxiety of the deadlines that you’re on. The highs are achieving what you set out to do and seeing your creations, lines and collections actually out there be worn by other people, spotting one of your designs in the street.

Katerina Kleopa – Machinist

How long have you worked in the fashion industry? 40 years

Do you think there are enough women leading manufacturing companies in the UK? No, there’s not enough.

Would you recommend working in fashion to other young women? Yes, because it’s a nice job but I’m not sure it’s for everyone.

What are the highs and lows of working in fashion? The highs are the people – there are no lows.

Jenni Sutton – Development Director 

How long have you worked in the fashion industry? About 17 years

Do you think there are enough women leading manufacturing companies in the UK? Not in the world of manufacturing, it is quite a male dominated industry but I think it is slowly changing. You hear more and more about female owned factories now. 

Would you recommend working in fashion to other young women? Yes, I would, but I would encourage them to explore all aspects and not just the obvious routes of design, styling or visual merchandising. There are so many options that depending on your skillset a young woman could excel in this industry whether that is as a pattern cutter, garment technologist or even running a factory!

What are the highs and lows of working in fashion? There can be very long hours but if you put the work in it can also be very rewarding with lots of potential for progression.