FC FTA Leicester Launches with a Residents Open Day

Wednesday 27th October 2021 was a big day for the Fashion-Enter Ltd team as the doors to the state-of-the-art FC Fashion Technology Academy (FTA) Leicester were opened. 

Working in collaboration with Leicester City Council and local clothing company Ethically Sourced Products Ltd, this initial launch invited local residents for a drop-in Open Day. 

Attendees were welcome to take a tour of the space, learn about the apprenticeships and training that we can offer as well as ‘have a go’ on the machines. The fully-equipped textiles skills centre will provide much-needed training to ensure the on-going growth of ‘Made in the UK’ within one of the UK’s biggest manufacturing regions.

Turnout to the Open Day was fantastic with positive engagement from manufacturers and local people wanting to upskill. The FC FTA Leicester team is coming together with an amazing Gujarati speaking tutor Zarina, and administrator Davia and the first stitching course is due to go live on the 8th November.

Fashion-Enter Ltd CEO Jenny Holloway and Production Director Caroline Ash took time to speak to all of the attendees and there was a real enthusiasm to take Leicester to the forefront of the UK fashion and textiles sector. Leicester has much to offer and now new ethical ways forward are available giving confidence for buyers to commit to on-shore production, this will take time but the demand for skilled workers and apprentices is already there.

Fashion-Enter Ltd CEO Jenny Holloway said: “It was a great turnout yesterday at the Residents Open Day and I personally had an overwhelming feeling that it’s really time to recognise the skills of the hardworking manufacturers. Leicester has been dogged by bad press for years and it’s enough now! With rising freight, Brexit implications and a real steep reaction towards Climate Change the only alternative is to make in the UK. Leicester has the largest manufacturing cluster in the UK and there’s a solid commitment by manufacturers to produce ethical garments. It’s also time for a new approach with factories becoming their own brands – this will happen for sure. 

“Thank-you to all the people that supported yesterday – change is here!” 

Caroline Ash added: “The Residents Open Day was a huge success yesterday. The Academy has been created in conjunction with Leicester City Council with kind donations from Triumph Needle, I Saw It First and Alvanon. It was very well attended with a steady stream of residents, designers, manufactures, suppliers, retailers/etailers and other interested parties throughout the day. There was a lot of interest in our courses and we planning now to offer our first course for 8/11. A really encouraging and exciting start. Thank-you to all that attended.” 

FCFTA (Leicester) is for genuine collaborations and partnerships for the good of the fashion industry. With thanks to Triumph Needle, Leicester City Council, ISAWITFIRST.com and Alvanon.

Additional thanks to all those that came to celebrate the launch thank-you! Jill Banga ASOS.com, Jackie Bertram, Katherine O’Driscoll, Jackie Lewis, Heather Webb, Sajjad Khan Try Ltd, Sunny Meesha, Kaye Jackson, SEG Shama Women’s Centre, Alan May and many more. 

The Residents Open Day is the first in a series of key dates at the FC FTA Leicester leading up to the VIP launch in the New Year.

FCFTA (Leicester) Top Floor, Black and Yellow Building, 30 Stonebridge Street, Leicester, LE5 3PA 

T: 0116 436256  E: Education@fashion-enter.com