Help is at hand

 

Whilst liaising with numerous designers the LFF have noticed that many of you are unaware of the help that is available to you.  So we decided to outline your options in our latest LFF Magazine, the feature received a phenomenal response so we felt that it was only fair to preview the article to our FashionCapital users:

 

LONDON APPAREL RESOURCE CENTRE – London Apparel Resource Centre is a sister company to the LFF and supports fashion designers and manufacturers throughout London by offering: 

• Specialised CAD training for pattern development and marker making.
  
• Hot-desking and virtual office facility.
  
• Fabric and resource library.
  
• WGSN (online trend forecasting)
  
• Fully furnished subsidised studio workspace with 24 hr access.
  
• Advice and support on fabric and manufacturing processes.
  
• Practical advice on setting up in business and accessing funding.
  
• Fashion desk – help and advice from David Jones, Fashion Management Services.
  
• Practical technical courses and fashion workshops.

Tel: 020 8802 5555

Web: www.londonapparel.com

 

K BENSON ASSOCIATES – K Benson Associates offers a wide range of business advisory and training services to fashion businesses, covering four major areas:

 

• Access to Finance


• Business Planning and Control


• Management Control Systems


• Training Courses

 

Tel: 01480 214 516

Web: www.kbensonassoc.co.uk

 

FASHION MONITOR – Fashion Monitor is the UK’s leading news, contacts and events information service for the fashion, beauty and lifestyle industries.

 

Published monthly and available online, Fashion Monitor is the essential guide, keeping you up-to-date with what’s happening, who’s where, when and why.

 

Tel: 020 7190 7788

Web: www.fashionmonitor.co.uk

 

DESIGNFIRST – DesignFirst is a unique and innovative creative consultancy run by creatives for creatives.

We assist creatives through strategic business support and skills development.

Our specialists can build specific strategies to integrate the design, financial, manufacturing, marketing, sales and management practice in your business.

 

Tel: 020 7704 9747

Email: info@fashionworks.org.uk

 

EMEP – EMEP has put together an intensive plan of support and counselling for designers and manufacturers entitled the Sew-East Programme.  This has worked to educate local designers and manufacturers into working in closer collaborations.

Tel: 020 7655 0906

Web: www.emep.co.uk

 

CENTRE FOR FASHION ENTERPRISE – Based at London College of Fashion it aims to support designers within the London remit area in building successful fashion companies.

Email: info @fashion-enterprise.com

Web: www.fashion-enterprise.com

 

CUTTING EDGE – Cutting Edge provides designers with networking opportunities to find the right manufacturer, and aims to improve opportunities for companies involved in garment production in the capital.

Tel: 020 7010 1234

Email: cuttingedge@bl4london.com

  

ZIP – ZIP is the Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) in textile manufacturing and design at Newham College of FE.  Newham College was given this award as they offer outstanding vocational provision in clothing and textiles.

Tel: 020 7729 5129

Email: zip@newham.ac.uk

 

BUSINESS LINK – If you are running your own business, or thinking about starting one, Business Link for London can provide practical business help.

Tel: 0845 6000 787

Web: www.businesslink4london.com

 

FLADGATE FIELDER SOLICITORS – Nick Fenner, a partner at Fladgate Fielder, has particular experience in working with clients in the fashion industry.  His clients include designers, retailers and manufacturers from start-ups to high street names.  Nick Fenner is the Legal Eagle for both the LFF Magazine and also www.fashioncapital.co.uk.

Direct Line: 020 7462 2276

Email: nfenner@fladgate.com

 

BRITISH FASHION COUNCIL – The British Fashion Council (BFC) owns and organises London Fashion Week and the British Fashion Awards.

It also seeks to help British designers to develop their businesses and has published Designer Fact File, a guide to setting up a designer fashion business and the Designer Manufacturing Handbook.

Tel: 020 7636 7788

Web: www.londonfashionweek.co.uk

 

JOINT FASHION INDUSTRY TEAM (JoFIT) – Joint Fashion Industry Team (JoFIT) helps small & medium sized businesses to meet legal obligations; raise the level of understanding of Government Agency obligations, and act in partnership with others to help level the playing field, allowing bonafide businesses to survive in the Industry.

Tel: 020 7667 4916

 

EAST LONDON SMALL BUSINESS CENTRE – ELSBC actively help new businesses to start up, and support existing small businesses in East London to survive and grow.

Tel: 020 7377 8821

Web: www.goeast.org

 

SKILLFAST – Skillfast-UK is the Sector Skills Council for apparel, footwear, textiles and related businesses.  The Big Push campaign helps businesses to influence government policy on skills provision and investment, and a new bespoke apparel Young Apprenticeship for London.

Tel: 0870 120 6197

  

UK FASHION EXPORTS – The UK Fashion Exports offers practical help to British exporters and to overseas buyers, agents and press.  Membership is open to all UK manufacturers and designers, and members can access export marketing services and information.  Buyers and agents will receive free sourcing of merchandising from the UK.

Tel: 020 7636 5577

Web: www.ukfashionexports.com

 

PORTOBELLO BUSINESS CENTRE – The Portobello Business Centre have been in operation for twenty years and help new businesses and existing businesses get to the next level.  They offer a range of services including advice, consultancy and courses.

Tel: 020 7460 5050

Web: www.pbc.co.uk