FEL Celebrates Social Impact Success with Islington Council

Fashion-Enter Ltd CEO Jenny Holloway recently spoke at the Islington Council Social Value Impact Report event, that took place 11th March 2026, highlighting the remarkable success of the FC Designer Workspace and FC Designer Collective – an initiative that has transformed opportunity for fashion creatives across the borough.

The journey began in 2019 when Fashion-Enter Ltd and FashionCapital met with Islington Council to tender for the borough’s Affordable Workspace programme. While Islington has long been known as a thriving artisan borough, the scale of the project presented a unique challenge: transforming a derelict underground car park into a vibrant creative hub.

Fast forward four and a half years and the transformation has been extraordinary. The space is now home to the Fashion Technology Academy alongside a thriving designer workspace and studios that supports independent brands, sustainable innovation and community engagement. It is also the base of the mental health and wellbeing initiative for young adults Hope-FX.

In that time, the initiative has already surpassed its original ten-year social value target, generating more than £1 million through Social Value TOMs. The impact continues to grow, with the programme also supporting nearly £1.5 million in recruitment opportunities for local people across the borough.

Nahom Tame, Contract Manager for Affordable Workspace at Islington Council, praised the partnership:

“You have been an amazing partner for the council. It has been so great having a service like yours on this programme, offering residents a real opportunity in fashion. The social value you have delivered has been incredible – may there be many more years of more great work.”

The programme has been driven by the leadership of Caroline Wilson, Director of Inclusive Economy at Islington Council, whose commitment to social value and inclusive growth has helped shape the success of the initiative.

Reflecting on the partnership, Caroline said:

“We absolutely love having you as one of our pioneer partners on the programme! Jennifer Holloway and your team have such a deep understanding of the values that we are pursuing – it’s in the DNA of Fashion-Enter Ltd / FashionCapital. Thank you for all your support, persistence and passion over the years – onwards!”

Today, the FC Designer Workspace is home to a diverse and inspiring community of designers and innovators.

Among them is Clare Tattersall, founder of BODICI and co-founder of sustainable materials start-up Sequinova, who recently received a warm reception from King Charles III during London Fashion Week.

Designer and knitwear innovator Raquel de Carvalho Król has also gained international attention for her AW26 collection “DEVOTION”, showcased during London Fashion Week.

Long-standing tenant SHAMA and Co continues to build a reputation for beautifully crafted modest fashion, while new collaborations continue to strengthen the workspace’s community impact.

One example is the partnership between ReFAB Studio and Fashion-Enter Ltd to deliver a series of collaborative upcycling workshops supported by The Clothworkers Company. The programme empowers local communities through circular design, hands-on skills and sustainable creativity.

Sustainability is also embedded at our neighbouring retail space – FC Designer Collective on Fonthill Road. Thanks to Pawel Ryczan and the popular free bi-monthly repair drop-in workshops, more than 2,500 garments have been saved from landfill in the past two years — with sessions regularly fully booked.

The creative community continues to grow, with tenants including Christine Kendall Couture, known for vintage-inspired garments with exceptional technical precision; Abby Clemson Designs, a made-to-order fashion start-up focused on sustainability and waste reduction; and designer Genevieve Devine, whose wearable avant-garde pieces combine repurposed materials with sculptural design.

Other tenants include Sacred8Design, founded by Louise Graham, offering creative services across design, manufacturing, film and marketing, and Temple London, known for its design-led capsule ranges spanning accessories, interiors and apparel.

Reflecting on the project’s success, Jenny Holloway said it remains an honour to work alongside the designers, council partners and educators who make the initiative possible.

“It’s an absolute honour to be working with these wonderful tenants, the amazing team at Islington Council including Nahom Tame and Meg Stokes, and our teachers from the Fashion Technology Academy. What a team.”

With creativity flourishing and social value already exceeding expectations, the FC Designer Workspace and FC Designer Collective stand as a powerful example of how collaboration between industry, education and local government can transform spaces, careers and communities.