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Newsletter 13th May 2015 – Stitching Academy the Next Phase
Dear all,
This week the educational department at Fashion Enter is pleased to introduce its first cohort to the Level 2 Stitching Academy course. Following from the highly successful Stitching Academy Level 1 (SA1) programme, the Stitching Academy Level 2 (SA2) course is the first in the country and a natural progression for learners that have completed SA1 and want to develop their knowledge and skills in fashion construction.
The course is based at the Fashion Technology Academy in bright new rooms, fully equipped in a purpose built unit for fashion manufacturing. The learners are being taught by a fantastic team made up of Marilyn (tutor) and industrial specialist Melissa (technician).
Jenny Holloway CEO of Fashion Enter & FashionCapital comments:
“I just found out that since we developed the Level 1 Stitching award with ABC last year alone 540 people have successfully completed the six-week course. Isn’t that amazing. We have potentially provided a new stitching career to 540 people! These learning opportunities are now expanding to the Fashion Technology Academy where we can now offer courses on ALL aspects of production including patterns, fabric laying and cutting, Stitching Academy 2, Quality Control and lets not forget Machine Maintenance too! This is indeed with thanks to Haringey Council, ASOS.com and DWP. Such support for our vision is really overwhelming.”
 Tutor Marilyn Forkan added:
“The students were so excited and had a really hands-on start to the course, I am really impressed with their motivation and attitude and I’m looking forward to working with them over the next 12-weeks.”
The learners have a range of units to cover, five in total, including an introduction to tailoring techniques and garment construction. They will be introduced to deeper learning where they will be challenged with more complicated techniques and if they persevere they will be really pleased with what they can achieve.
To find out more about the Stitching Academy 2 course and the other courses, workshops and apprenticeships organised by Fashion Enter please e-mail: education@fashioncapital.co.uk
Apprenticeship Vacancy Update
 We currently have apprenticeship vacancies with New Look, Find of London and The Albion Knitting Company please click here to view more details.
Current Albion Knitting Co apprentice Berivan Aslan pictured left comments:
“Hello my name is Berivan Aslan and I am a Linking technician Apprentice at Albion Knitting Company. Working in a young and growing company has given me the opportunity to embrace different aspects within the Fashion production. At Albion Knitting I feel very involved and hoping to learn more about Knitting and play a part in the company’s growth.”
Free Funded Places at the FTA
Could you be eligible for funding to take one of our fashion courses for free at the Fashion Technology Academy?
Available to women and minority groups we are now able to offer free places on our Level 1 courses across the following areas:–
 Stitching
Pattern cutting
Machine maintenance
Fabric inspection
Fabric laying
Fabric cutting
Quality control
Each course is accredited so you will receive a Level 1 Fashion and Textiles Award on completion.
You must complete 120 guided learning hours across six weeks to receive your certificate.
Places are limited so to check your eligibility and to express interest please email jenni@fashioncapital.co.uk now!
Legal Eagle Surgery with Nick Gould
 As a new business start-up the legalities of setting up and running your own business can be a daunting prospect. From the initial business plan through to employment law and commercial contracts Fashion Enter will host a three-hour seminar with leading Solicitor Nick Gould – Partner at the law firm of Gunnercooke at The Factory on 27th May from 09.30am – 12.30pm
“I advise companies from local start-ups to multinational trading groups on a wide range of business law issues. For many years I have specialised in advising family or privately owned and managed businesses, from the small to the very large. Business sectors include fashion and media.”
Spaces are extremely limited due to the nature of the seminar.
The first stage will be a generic overview of the below points then each attendee will have the opportunity to gain one to one professional advice and guidance from Nick discussing their own personal issues.
1 Issues with IP
2 Finding the right advisors;
3 Funding options—cash is king;
4 Employment basics;
5 Commercial contracts and paper trails.
One of our members, Kathleen Fraser recently held a one to one mentoring session with Nick and commented:
“It was such a pleasure to meet Nick Gould after speaking to other law firms who quoted several thousand pounds just for a standard template of T&Cs on a wholesale order. With Nick’s help I am now able to start my business with key legal issues covered on a very affordable basis for a start-up and at the same time I know I will have the right legal expert to turn to as the business grows. A lawyer who understands SMEs – at last!”
To book your place please email: jenni@fashioncapital.co.uk for availability and costs now – members will receive preferential rates.
Are you Eligible for the Creative Skillset Diversity Fund?
The Creative Skillset Diversity Fund (England) provides funding for training for employees and freelancers residing in England who are under-represented in the workforce, and can show they have worked in a paid, professional capacity over at least one year in the creative industries.
Applications are currently open to individuals working in advertising and marketing communications, animation, fashion and textiles, film, games, interactive media, photo imaging, publishing, radio and VFX.
Grants are available to individuals from at least one of the following under-represented groups: women, disabled, black, Asian and non-white minority ethnic (BAME). Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals who belong to these groups are equally eligible. Creative Skillset are also developing a leadership programme specifically for individuals from the LGBT community for launch later in 2015.
How to apply: Before you begin your online application, please download the Diversity Fund (England) Guidelines below to check your eligibility and find out more about the type of project the Diversity Fund (England) is looking to support:
• Guidance for Diversity Fund (England) applications (PDF, 278KB)
Once you have confirmed your eligibility, please click on the link below to begin the online application process:
• Click here to start a new application
Dates for Your Diary:-
7th & 11th October 2015
 Back by popular demand FashionCapital will return to the Knitting & Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace from 7th – 11th October with an interactive installation showcasing the complete garment life cycle. The team will be able to take visitors on an informative journey that reveals each stage of garment production from initial idea right through to the delivery of finished designs.
For those interested in pursuing a career in fashion, FashionCapital will also host talks and demonstrations on its level 1 Stitching Academy, levels 2, 3 and 4 Fashion and Textiles Apprenticeship programmes and recently launched qualifications at the Fashion Technology Academy.
http://www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/london/
Thursday 22nd October 2015
FashionCapital and Fashion Enter CEO Jenny Holloway has been invited to speak at the Westminster Media Forum Keynote Seminar: The UK fashion and textile industry – priorities for domestic manufacturing, export and skills, alongside Lord Stone, where she will expand on support for skills development and training – start ups, cross-sector partnerships and entrepreneurship.
(Image right: Lord Stone with Jenny Holloway)
To find out more and book your place please click here
Open Day at The Factory – 21st May 1pm – 3pm
 On Thursday 21st May Fashion Enter will open its doors to potential clients. The day will provide a unique opportunity to review the production facilities with a tour of the Fashion Studio and The Factory and to meet with the team. An overview of Fashion Enter and FashionCapital.co.uk will be given providing an opportunity to discuss in detail the membership package, one to one business mentoring and workshops and seminars all available to emerging and established designer businesses.
There will also be a chance to review the recently launched Fashion Technology Academy which offers Level 1 and Level 2 courses in Stitching and Pattern Cutting.
A member taking regular mentoring sessions with our lead mentor Carolyn Springett recently commented:
“Working with Carolyn Springett over these past few months has entirely shifted my fashion start-up Nui Ami into a higher gear. Under her considered guidance, Nui Ami’s launch collection has quickly evolved into a much more cohesive, eloquent and commercial collection. Whilst her fashion pedigree is considerable and exemplary; as an individual, new to the fashion industry, I have always felt supported and respected in my ideas. I have very much enjoyed working this collaborative way and I think Nui Ami will launch on a much stronger foundation thanks to Carolyn and the support I have received from team at Fashion Enter.”
If you would like to attend the open day please e-mail jenni@fashioncapital.co.uk for further details.
Mark Dodds 1-to-1 Mentoring
 Mark Dodds graduated from the University of Leeds in 2001 with a BA in textile management. Since then Mark has worked for various suppliers to the British fashion industry in technical and sourcing roles, travelling the world to source fabrics and working with garment making factories to make products sold to the British and US high street retailers.
In 2010 Mark partnered with Christopher Waller to set up a luxury womenswear fashion label. In doing this he gained experience working with small UK manufacturers, fabric suppliers, PR and sales agents and as a result knows first hand what it’s like to be a fashion start up and the challenges that they face. In 2012 Christopher Waller joined Fashion Scout and presented the collection during London Fashion week.
Mark now works as a consultant and has contracts working for ASOS.com, Charlotte Tilbury and Oliver Spencer, retaining Christopher Waller as a design consultancy business. He is available for one-to-one mentoring sessions covering key business areas including fabric sourcing, PR, press and sales.
To book a one-to-one mentoring session please contact:
Membership enquiries – memberships@fashioncapital.co.uk
Please Note – Mentoring Fees Set to Increase
Since Fashion Enter launched its one-to-one mentoring service for new businesses with leading industry experts it has proven to be a resounding success.
Please note the hourly rate for mentoring is set to increase from 22nd June 2015. Please contact jenni@fashioncapital.co.uk for details.
M&S Best of British
We couldn’t resist adding this snap of this M&S Best of British dress in M&S stores now, produced in our very own factory in North London #proud #madeinbritain
This Week on FashionCapital.co.uk
Pinstripe & Pearls offer some chic styling tips to those working in office environments, while Katie Farley takes note of two designer talents to watch in the coming seasons. Paul Markevicius meanwhile, talks at length to the team behind the label ‘Little White Lies’ and gets to the nitty-gritty of business and sales.
Boutique Pick of the Week
Are you getting your 5-a-day? Well, we’re in the mood for a bit of fun in the sunshine and that’s what the Kuccia label is all about. The all-over colourful print features bananas, strawberries, pomegranates and pineapples in an easy-to-wear shape that suits most body types. One to throw in the holiday case or layer over jeans come festival season.
Kuccia Swing Mini Dress with Rainbow Fruit Print from ASOS.com £40-
Three City Bike Ride Charity Fundraiser
 Two of the team Jenni Sutton and Beth Davy-Day have signed up to do a three cities bike ride at the end of August! The 3 Cities bike ride goes through beautiful English villages, across the Dutch lowlands via Amsterdam and down to Brussels. Sounds lovely to anyone who regularly cycles. Both Jenni & Beth however confess that they haven’t been on a bike for a good number of years and have no balance, coordination or spatial awareness. In less than four months they plan to cycle on average 90 miles a day for four days. This is going to be a challenge to say the least. Jenni is doing it to raise money for a charity close to her heart, Alzheimer’s Research UK and Beth has chosen the ‘Make a Wish Foundation’ a charity which grants magical wishes to children and young people fighting life threatening conditions.
Please sponsor anything you can, every penny counts!
Here are the links to the donation pages –
http://www.doitforcharity.com/jsutton
http://www.doitforcharity.com/bdavy-day
This Week’s Header…
The image in this week’s header is an exclusive pre-production shot from our recent in-house photo shoot with photographer Alexandria Hall http://www.a-h.photography/
The model Aramatou from the London Model Academy wears a Karen Gold design.
Until next time, we hope you have a fabulous week.
The team at FashionCapital x
     
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