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Newsletter 23rd August 2017
Dear all,
 This past week we’ve, once again, been in the press, as the debate continues with regards to the state of the UK garment manufacturing industry. Chief executive of New Look, Anders Kristiansen, riled up the industrywith his comments stating that the “vast majority” of UK clothing factories have worse ethical standards than those in the Far East. However, he said if stricter laws and good working practices were enforced he would invest in UK production.
As a company that strives to be as transparent and squeaky clean as possible our North London factory was pictured in Drapers (pictured right) as a positive example. As a UK supplier to ASOS.com chief executive Nick Beighton responded: “Our goal is to bring customers the best fashion as quickly as possible, and there’s nothing faster than manufacturing in the UK.We would like to triple the amount of product we source from the UK over the next five-years and based on our experience there are great factories in Leicester with the capacity to help us make that happen.”
This October retailers have agreed to meet Leicester’s mayor Peter Soulsby and representatives from HM Revenue & Customs, the local police and fire brigade to discuss how they can enforce stricter laws and good working practices. The development of the Leicester Fashion and Textiles Hub also hopes to lead by example. Time to work together to ensure Made in the UK is a label to be proud of.
Get Your Accounts On Track With Sage One
FashionCapital has secured a 50% discount with Sage, software and accounting services and their Start Up Package. Get your financial accounts in order for less than the cost of a beer or your monthly Netflix account, at just £3 per month. To express your interest please click here for a direct link to the Sage One signup page, (1 month free and then 3 months at half price).
Workshop: Finances for Designers
The ‘Finances for Designers’ workshop covers the things you need to think about and what you need to do to keep on top of your finances. The workshop is a practical and easy-to-follow guide to basic finances. It is suitable for fashion designers at various stages – start-ups, early stage, or established – that need to understand more about their financial management.
Nigel Rust is an experienced business mentor and coach with a background in managing businesses for other people as well as running his own small business. He now spends his time helping creative sector businesses, especially fashion, to start-up, run, and grow.
“We are delighted to be engaging with Nigel on this hard hitting seminar and its perfect for both start ups and scale ups. Having supported designers for a total of 17 years we know without doubt that one of the barriers to success for designers is accounting processes and procedures. This is why we have also teamed up with Sage who are offering amazing deals for our FC users on simple to use, but highly effective, software that will provide information at your finger tips. Please remember that your brand is a business. It is not a labour of love!”
To express an interest in this workshop please contact: jenni@fashion-enter.com
Fashion Studio Expands With Gerber Systems
CEO of FashionCapital & Fashion Enter, Jenny Holloway explains:
“Over the last six months we have expanded our Fashion Studio service by 28 new accounts including Huntsman and Gormley and Gamble. The pattern cutting team headed by Lauren Loftus and supported by an excellent six-man team of pattern queens is flying. The experienced members of our team such as Lauren, Debbie have excellent previous Gerber experience so I have to listen to the experts! We have therefore invested heavily into the latest Gerber systems to ensure that the fine accuracy of detail is embedded into our pattern and grading services.
“The team also want to pass on this expertise into evening and weekend classes too – there is an army of new brands out there that are really superb designers but may not be so technically aware of patterns.”
“For our existing brands that we work so closely with we hope that this investment reflects how much we really do care about the quality of our services. The Fashion Studio is flying and we want to take your brands with us and this success all starts with perfect patterns.” Click here to find out more about the Fashion Studio
Coming Soon…
Out of Hours Gerber classes for the beginners, experienced and advanced!
We are delighted to confirm that FashionCapital will be offering hand-holding Gerber classes from 11th September onwards. Following huge demand from our Level 2 Perfect Pattern courses Gerber is the next logical step to ensure designers are fully equipped to create perfect patterns and grade accordingly.
E-mail Jenni if you are interested to find out more details: jenni@fashion-enter.com
 Haringey: The Next Chapter
At the up and coming Haringey: The Next Chapter half-day conference hosted by New London Architecture, Jenny Holloway will be discussing the question: What role do institutions like Fashion Enter, the UK’s first Fashion Technology Academy play in the transformation of the Haringey’s economic, cultural and employment sectors? One of several speakers the conference aims to unlock future development and potential regarding the area. Taking place on Thursday 21st September to find out more and book a place click here.
Video of the Week
Hear about Tooba’s experience on the Level 1 Stitching Academy course at the Fashion Technology Academy via this short YouTube video.
Dates For Your Diary
From September we will host a number of workshops to share our industry knowledge and experience with you.
Thursday 21st September: Ten steps to starting your own business. Tracey Parks-Taylor
Thursday 28th September: Quarterly Fashion Meet Up – we have a handful of spaces left for our first informal networking event with guest speaker, Caren Downie she will be discussing what makes a successful brand while a representative from Sage Accounting Services will advise on all things financial.
Tuesday 3rd October: The design process and product development. Gabby Shiner-Hill
Thursday 19th October: FashionCapital Trunk Show #3 Newcastle
Thursday 26th October: Fabric appreciation. Deborah Shulton
Thursday November 9th: The importance of branding and how to sell online. Aaron & Harriet Rudman-Hawkins
Thursday November 23rd: Public relations, influencers and social media. Rosie Davies.
Please contact Jenni Sutton jenni@fashion-enter.com for further details and to confirm your attendance.
Members get priority access to all seminars and workshops including 20% discount to find out more click here.
 Fabric Swatch of the Week
We have put together a sample package of 5 fabrics, please email: fcfabricstudio@fashion-enter.com to pick your sample lengths. Now available via the FCFabricStudio at £2.50 per package.
This Week on FashionCapital.co.uk
 We’ve all heard of A-Levels but the demand for technically skilled employees is seeing the rise of the T-Level and here at FashionCapital we couldn’t agree more.
Katie Farley explores the Sleepwear as Outerwear trend that is evolving into the up and coming seasons.
And we take a look at a legal case: Alan Friend V Prototype 21 and give some key checkpoints when sourcing a supplier for your brand. “Looking back, I should have done my due diligence more carefully,” said Alan Friend – click on the link and read on to make sure you don’t make the same, costly mistake.
Boutique Pick of the Week
Want to try your hand at making something yourself? How about trying crochet? This Calvin top is worked in double crochet with an open mesh panel, and is an easy pattern, great for beginner crocheters looking to take their skills up a notch. Light and airy it can be worn layered over long sleeve tops when the autumn sets in. This pattern devised by Wool and the Gang uses 100% upcycled Billie Jean yarn created from pre-consumer denim waste, using no chemicals or dyes. Pattern and wool available now from Wool and the Gang at £29.50
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