9 Day Countdown: To The Only Dedicated Trade Event for UK Factories
15-04-2026
Newsletter 15th April 2026
Final Exhibitor Spaces – Leicester Made & Regions (24th April)
The FEL team have been busy preparing for the only dedicated trade event for UK fashion and textile factories / suppliers. With just 9 days to go until Leicester Made & Regions – exhibitor spaces are almost full.
With a strong line-up already confirmed, including Courtney & Co, Silver Birches, AVINCI, Denovo and Maeknit, this is your opportunity to position your business alongside some of the UK’s most innovative fashion and textile manufacturers.
Last year’s event delivered real results for exhibitors, from high-quality connections to ongoing business opportunities. With an engaged audience of brands, buyers, and industry leaders actively seeking UK production partners, Leicester Made & Regions is a proven platform to grow your network and showcase your capabilities.
As demand for local, sustainable and agile supply chains continues to rise, there’s never been a better time to be part of the UK manufacturing movement.
Leicester Made & Regions will take place Friday 24th April at The Venue, De Montfort University, Leicester LE2 7BU please contact: beth@fashion-enter.com for exhibiting enquiries.
An Exciting Roster of Speakers Confirmed
Each week we have been announcing an impressive list of speakers that will take part in panel discussions and fireside chats throughout the Leicester Made & Regions event. From Jill Geoghegan – Editor, Drapers, Joseph Mountain – Sustainability Manager, N Brown Group and Tamara Sender Ceron – Associate Principal Fashion Retail Research, Mintel, to Kevin Withane – dual qualified barrister and solicitor, Kirsty McGregor, ex-Vogue Business Editor – now running her own consultancy and Adam Mansell, CEO of the UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT). The full speaker list and agenda will be published in next week’s newsletter.
Putting Factory Voices at the Heart of Leicester Made & Regions
Leicester Made & Regions is built on a simple but powerful principle: giving manufacturers a platform to be heard.
At the centre of this conversation are the factories themselves – businesses that are too often spoken about, rather than listened to. Industry leaders like Shehzaad Valli, CEO of Sundus Textiles and Director at the Apparel & Textile Manufacturers Federation (ATMF), represent a new generation of skilled, forward-thinking manufacturers helping to reshape the future of UK production.
Through collaborative initiatives such as ATMF, already supporting 20 businesses in tendering for a £60m public procurement contract, the event highlights what can be achieved when factories come together, share knowledge, and speak with a unified voice.
Leicester Made & Regions creates a space where that voice is not only heard, but valued. It connects brands directly with manufacturers who are driving real change, offering agile solutions from ultra-fast 5-day lead times to flexible models including test and repeat, make-to-order and just-in-time production.
This is more than a showcase – it’s an inclusive platform that recognises the expertise, innovation, and leadership within UK factories, and ensures they are central to shaping the industry’s future.
Interested in attending? Register your place here.
Global Chaos, Local Solution – Make It In The UK
Fashion-Enter Ltd CEO and ATMF Chair Jenny Holloway joins today’s (15th April, 1 – 2pm) ASBCI members-only webinar, “Global Chaos, Local Solutions – Make It in the UK,” exploring why UK manufacturing is fast becoming a strategic solution to global disruption.
From geopolitical instability and supply chain breakdowns to sustainability and speed-to-market, Jenny will share how re-shoring production can help brands build more resilient, transparent, and agile supply chains.
She will also highlight why Leicester Made & Regions (24th April) is a must-attend event – showcasing the capabilities of UK factories and connecting brands directly with trusted manufacturing partners.
A timely and essential discussion for any business navigating today’s fast-changing fashion landscape.
Open Days for 16–18 Year Olds – Level 3 Diploma Course
Applications are now open at the Fashion Technology Academy for 16–18 year olds ready to take their next step in creative education. The UAL Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Creative Practice offer a hands-on pathway into higher education in art and design, combining practical workshops, industry-standard techniques, research projects and opportunities to build strong presentation skills.
Upcoming Open Days will be held on:
All between 10am–2pm, these sessions offer a chance to explore the campus, meet tutors and students, and gain advice on applications and future pathways.
Join us at FC Designer Workspace, 9 Durham Road, Islington, London, N7 7FB, and take the first step towards September 2026. Early registration is advised as places are limited.
ReFAB Studio X FEL Free Community Workshop this Friday
Join us this Friday (17th April) for a free, hands-on community workshop, courtesy of ReFAB Studio and FEL, at FC Designer Workspace in London, where you’ll learn to upcycle interior textiles into a beautifully finished home accessory. While the session focuses on creating an envelope cushion cover, there’s also the flexibility to make an alternative item such as a make-up bag. Designed to be inclusive, relaxed, and beginner-friendly, the workshop offers guided support, all materials and equipment, and the chance to build practical sewing skills while exploring sustainable, circular fashion in a welcoming environment.
Latest From Leicester…
AI Workshop For Women
Today, 15th April, at the FTA Fashion Hub in Leicester, we’re hosting a special guest workshop in partnership with Get Ready for Work, supporting women into employment through an introduction to Artificial Intelligence. This practical session is designed to build confidence and understanding of AI, showing how it can be used safely and effectively in everyday life – from supporting children’s learning to enhancing workplace skills and opening up new opportunities for women returning to the workforce.
Courses Workshops and Masterclasses
Roll-on courses:
Available at all campuses Islington, Haringey and Leicester.
UAL Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Creative Practice
Sewing & Pattern Cutting:
16th April – Drop In Sewing and Pattern Cutting – FC Designer Workspace – £45 + eventbrite fee
18th April – Saturday Fabric Manipulation and Textile Embellishment Workshop – FC Designer Workspace – £45 + eventbrite fee
20th & 21st April – 2-day – Introduction to Patternmaking: Simple Bodice and Trousers – FTA Haringey – £70 + eventbrite fee
22nd – 23rd April – 2-day Introduction to Pattern Making: Dart Manipulation – FTA Haringey – £70 + eventbrite fee
Repair & Upcycling:
21st April – Free Repair and Upcycling Drop-In – FC Designer Collective shop – free
Open Day and Sewing Taster:
9th May – The Fashion Technology Academy Open Day (For 16-18 year olds interested in the UAL Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Creative Practice) – FC Designer Workspace – free
29th May – Free Sewing Workshop for 16-18-year-olds wanting to know more about fashion and the Level 3 Diploma course – FC Designer Workspace – free
For all course enquiries contact: education@fashion-enter.com or call 0208 809 3311
This Week on FashionCapital…
Unworn Clothes: A Growing Circularity Crisis
And Finally…Drop In Sessions Every Thursday
Do you need construction advice, use of industrial equipment? Our Drop-In Sewing & Pattern Cutting sessions are now running every Thursday at FC Designer Workspace, offering a supportive space to help you progress your personal projects. Whether you’ve hit a creative block or simply need the right environment to stay motivated, you’ll have access to professional equipment, including industrial machines, cutting tables, and mannequins, alongside expert guidance from tutor and designer John Herrera. With a welcoming, friendly atmosphere and hands-on support throughout the day, it’s the perfect opportunity to build skills, gain confidence, and bring your ideas to life.
Tap here for tomorrow’s session.
Wishing you a great week.
From the Team at FashionCapital / Fashion-Enter Ltd
