FEL Secures Innovate UK Grant to Revolutionise Sustainable Fashion with “Circle8 Old for New” Project

We are excited to announce that Fashion-Enter Ltd (FEL) has been awarded a significant Innovate UK grant as part of the Creative Catalyst initiative. This prestigious funding will enable us to launch our pioneering “Circle8 Old for New – The Fashion Fix” project, which aims to address one of the fashion industry’s most pressing challenges: sustainability.

About the Innovate UK Grant

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, has committed up to £10 million to support innovative projects that foster growth in untapped businesses and enhance creative talent. The competition, part of the Creative Catalyst initiative, was highly competitive, with projects needing to demonstrate clear benefits to the creative industries and the wider UK economy.

Winning this grant required FEL to showcase an innovation that not only addresses a clear market opportunity but also demonstrates the potential impact on business growth within the next 12 months. Our “Circle8 Old for New” project was recognised for its groundbreaking approach to sustainability in the fashion industry, aligning perfectly with Innovate UK’s goals.

Introducing “Circle8 Old for New”

Our winning proposal, “Circle8 Old for New – The Fashion Fix,” is a revolutionary project designed to tackle the environmental impact of the fashion industry. The project focuses on repurposing and recycling rejected stock and pre-loved garments, offering an affordable and sustainable solution to fashion waste.

Key Highlights of the Project:

• Collaborations with Leading Retailers: FEL will work with top retailers to salvage garments by providing repairs and alterations. This not only extends the life of these garments but also reduces the amount of textile waste that ends up in landfills.
• Recycling Programs for Unusable Garments: For garments that have no commercial value, FEL will develop new recycling programs in line with the upcoming 2025 legislation on End Producer Responsibility. This initiative will ensure that even the most worn-out items are disposed of sustainably.
• Consumer-Facing Services: FEL will expand its services to the general public, allowing consumers to send in their pre-loved garments for repair or recycling. This service will be available across England, with options to mail items to our retail shop in London or our offices in Islington, Haringey and Leicester.
• Educational Initiatives: FEL will also educate the public on home sewing and repairs, offering access to industrial machines and a wealth of dead stock fabrics, trims, buttons, and zippers. This empowers consumers to upcycle and recycle their garments, further reducing fashion waste.
• Leveraging Advanced Fashion AI Technology: FEL will utilise cutting-edge Fashion AI technology from Style3D, which enables rapid garment design—reducing the design process from three months to just 30 minutes. This technology, currently used by top international brands like Chanel, will bring digital skills to the general public and create new wholesale opportunities.

Why “Circle8 Old for New” is a Game Changer

The “Circle8 Old for New” project is truly innovative in its approach, combining sustainability with advanced technology and consumer education. There is no other company in the UK that offers a similar service, making this project both ambitious and unique. By repurposing rejected garments and reducing landfill waste, FEL is not only helping to protect the planet but also creating new jobs and opportunities within the fashion industry.

The project is set to launch within the next six months, significantly faster than typical industry timelines. Our efforts have already been recognised within the industry, FEL, and company founder, Jenny Holloway, was awarded ‘Sustainable Fashion Champion’ at the 2024 Drapers Record Sustainability Awards.

Conclusion

At FEL, we believe in the power of innovation to drive positive change. The “Circle8 Old for New” project is a testament to our commitment to sustainability and our ability to leverage cutting-edge technology to solve real-world problems. We are excited to embark on this journey and look forward to making a lasting impact on the fashion industry and the environment.

Stay tuned for more updates as we prepare to launch this exciting new service!