Launch of The Modern Artisan 23 – 24

Back in February Fashion-Enter Ltd (FEL) announced that it would, once again, provide technical residency support to six fashion design graduates on The Modern Artisan initiative.

The program, run by YOOX NET-A-PORTER and The King’s Foundation, gave six trainee artisans the chance to work alongside over 40 brand partners and industry experts, one of which was Fashion-Enter Ltd. Spanning nine months, the designers gained exclusive access to the likes of Balmoral and Dumfries House to inspire their sustainable, nature inspired capsule collection.

The six 23/24 artisans are:

• Daisy Gray, 23, from Hertfordshire. Daisy is a graduate of Kingston University.
• Jessica Horton, 31, from Hampshire. Jessica is a graduate of Bournemouth University of Arts.
• Flavia-Maria Nistor, 23. Originally from Romania and living in London, Flavia is a graduate of Staffordshire University.
• Sarah Jane Sleeba, 26. Originally from India and living in London, Sarah is a graduate of Kingston University and National Institute of Fashion Technology India.
• Georgia Wintle, 23, from Gloucestershire. Georgia is a graduate of University of South Wales.
• Arielle Uno-Ekwang, 22, from London. Arielle is a graduate of University of Brighton.

FEL’s Head of Technical, Claire Solley and the FEL team worked with the young designers on patterns, toiles, grading and cutting at FEL’s Haringey HQ earlier in the year. The final designs are now exclusively on NET-A-PORTER with 50% of the RRP from products sold donated to The King’s Foundation to support further training programs.

Claire said: “The Modern Artisan project is a great programme to not only allow the interns to design a collection but actually manufacture it themselves, so they learn firsthand the implications of design realised in production.

“Each edition looks slightly different, and this year a big focus was around fabrics being naturally dyed and locally sourced. The linen suit was naturally dyed from heather, and the knitted scarf was made using wool from the sheep based on the grounds Dumfries House.

“Fashion-Enter Ltd supported the interns with sharing industry knowledge and standards as well as working alongside them for pattern development, grading and cutting, before the interns went off to Dumfries House to stitch all the garments themselves. 

“It was great to catch up with everyone at the launch event Wednesday 4^th at the Barbican and hear what they had learnt from the experience and how that will take them forward in their careers.” 

On 4th September the 23/24 edition was celebrated with a breakfast launch event and Claire Solley was invited to view the designs. The  luxury 13-piece collection includes bias-cut slip dresses, elevated loungewear and textural knitwear, emphasising the use of responsible materials and techniques. 

The aim of The Modern Artisan program is to preserve the legacy of traditional craftsmanship and champion a sustainable approach to luxury fashion, the FEL team were delighted to, once again, be involved with this program to provide the designers valuable insight into the technical side of garment making. Claire and the team wish the six artisans success with their ongoing careers in the industry.