FC Designer Collective – Support and Sell

This week, 2^nd December 2019, Brand & Development Manager of the FC Designer Collective shop, Stephanie Knapp, met with designers and a local sewing and garment making group to discuss creative use of the retail space.

Alongside showcasing and selling local products the retail space on Fonthill Road will act as a creative hub with in-house making facilities, regular meet-ups, seminars and events.

Stephanie discussed with the group potential ways to promote the project supported by Islington Council, and what it could look like in the future, such as hosting mini seminars and using the space as an incubation hub for new designers and to give members of the community an opportunity to showcase their very own designs. It was fantastic to show the group the space and explain how it can be utilised by the community in various ways.

The objective of providing a circular economy for Islington creatives is occurring now. Just one-week in and Stephanie has added new two designers to the store, Howie and Diva Choice with more designers wanting to get involved.

The unit was late to open but this has not stopped the enthusiasm of the local shoppers.  In particular there is a lot of demand for the haberdashery section and this area will keep growing with new product lines each week.

In October 2020 an underground car park will be converted in to affordable workspace – this is an amazing concept to allow start-up and scale-up brands to have dedicated space, below market prices, to run and operate their business.

CEO of Fashion-Enter ltd Jenny Holloway commented: “Since 2001 I have been involved in many public sector programmes to support the fashion industry but this is the first time that a programme combines real mentoring, business advice and support with workspace and a dedicated consumer channel to sell items. It’s the whole garment life cycle all within walking distance from the shop, factory and workspace. Credit to Islington Council and the GLA’s Good Growth Fund for being so innovative. Let the good times now roll!”