It’s From Within That Counts…

 

 

Having worked in fashion for over 25 years I have engaged in many worthwhile projects, worked with literally 1000s of designers and seen many highs and lows of the fashion industry. Friday was most definitely a high – the eight teenagers had designed and adapted some outstanding items of clothing ranging from gold embellished shoes to highly inspirational hoodies with illustrations that could be proudly displayed in any gallery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was not an easy day for the designers; they were certainly put to the test. We had organised a camera crew to be there, each designer had to stand up in front of their peers and make a formal presentation; they had to showcase their work and explain the reason behind their collections. This was true life business coming to Albany Theatre in Deptford and, as always, high standards of work and professionalism had to be in place. The garments were examined both inside and out (remember a garment has to be as good on the inside as it does on the outside…that M&S training is still there!) and each collection was put to the Fashion Enter test.

 

 

 

 

{mosimage}

 

 

When you are not used to a formal training and learning background such as FE and HE institutions its not easy to drop in the pieces of advice that are so urgently needed when working in design today; how do you explain to a teenager about buying ratios, range merchandising for selling in boutiques, how to construct delivery notes, price point ethos…but when you work in “real” terms with actual physical garments you can “drop” in those pearls of wisdom and ensure that the would be designers of tomorrow are Getting It Right First Time.

 

 

 

 

 

{mosimage}Ross Fonteyne “I really appreciate the feedback I was given and will definitely use the ideas and goals that have been suggested.”

 

 

Elliot Wright-Clarke “I look forward to doing business with you! Thanks for the opportunity.”

 

 

Ahoud Osman “I have had a great time and everyone has been really supportive.”

 

 

 

It’s actually not the words that count but the eyes that shined as the designers were making their presentations in front of the camera. The words spoken were from the very soul of these people all of which are from exceptionally difficult backgrounds where hope is a word that needs to be grasped wholeheartedly and turned into a reality. Many had problems just arriving to the seminars but somehow they triumphed against adversity and made everyone proud of their achievements.

 

 

 

{mosimage}This is what business support is about today. The dramatic affect this YEP programme has had with the combination of Getting It Right First Time from Fashion Enter makes me realize why I get up each morning at unearthly hours and why people like Lorraine, Colleen, Caroline, Michelle, Lola and Kenny give so much to this programme on tight funding streams. When you can feel the strength from these designers and appreciate their difficult circumstances but see the potential in their raw talent it makes you want to continue to the next project. 

 

 

 

Fashion Enter is proud to announce that the collection from YEP will be sold in the Croydon boutique Enter in Centrale from 9^th August onwards. Croydon townsfolk be aware – you are in for a treat!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An enormous well done to the YEP team.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

View the individual designer presentations below….AND ENJOY!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jenny Holloway

Director – Fashion-Enter / Fashion Capital