A New Chapter for the UK

Newsletter 21st September 2022

A New Chapter…

The UK has witnessed some big changes of late; a new Prime Minister, swiftly followed by the death of Her Majesty the Queen after an impressive 70-years on the throne. The new PM Liz Truss and King Charles III have come to the fore in what could be described as turbulent times; concerns with rising energy costs, climate change, the war between Russia and the Ukraine, not forgetting Covid, which hasn’t gone away! With all that is happening it can be overwhelming for small businesses to plan ahead, however, it is exactly at times like this that resilience, tenacity and innovation can really take place.

A good example of this was at London Fashion Week, which held its final day yesterday, 20th September. With the Queen’s funeral taking place during the event, there were rumours of cancelling, however, many up-and-coming designers requested for it to continue, and that it did, in a low-key, respectful manner. On show was a riot of vibrant colour and optimism, just what we need for SS23, and for a vast majority these collections were created with the environment and sustainability in mind.

Pre-loved, Alteration and Recycling Service 

Retail sales volumes fell by 1.6% in August 2022 and yet consumers still want to look and feel great, as a result we’re finding a big increase in demand for alterations and ‘have-a-go at making your own clothes’ at our stitching and pattern courses, both being totally full this autumn term at Level 1 and 2. (education@fashion-enter.com) Along with our popular free, monthly upcycling workshop.

We are therefore offering a new upcycling service direct to consumers as well as retailers and brands. Consumers can go into any of our sites at Haringey, Islington, Leicester and Newtown in Powys, Wales and take in garments to be altered. We have highly experienced seamstresses and machinists at each location and we want to do our bit to keep textiles in circulation for as long as possible, bringing back value to our textile goods.

For consumers please e-mail: preloved@fashion-enter.com

For retailers please e-mail: upcycle@fashion-enter.com 

October Sale at FC Designer Collective

On Saturday 1st October come and meet us at our Pre-Loved event at the FC Designer Collective, 113-115, Fonthill Road Islington, London N4. 10:00 – 17:00. Closest tube Finsbury Park. 

Learn How to Make Clothes in 5-Days!

Our campus in Leicester is still running the popular 1-week stitching course. If you would like to learn how to make your own garments spaces are available throughout September and October. This costs just £75 for one week including fabric.  

Please contact Jackie@fashion-enter.com to reserve a space. 

Community Sustainable Fashion Event

On Friday 30th September, Fashion-Enter Ltd and our in-house brand ‘B of London’ will be taking part in a community event that encourages and supports sustainability. Taking place during Go Green Week, the Fashion-Enter team will be advising and presenting on how recycle, upcycle and repurpose existing garments. Details can be found on the flyer.

Want to Gain Stitching or Pattern Cutting Skills?

We have places available on our next round of stitching and pattern cutting courses at our campuses in Islington, Haringey, Leicester and Newtown, Wales. Please contact: education@fashion-enter.com 

Discussing Environmental, Social and Governance Goals

Next Thursday 29th September Fashion-Enter Ltd CEO Jenny Holloway and Production Director Caroline Ash have been invited by Invennt Luxe to and an executive roundtable discussion and lunch on the topic of Environmental, Social and Governance Goals. More on this later. 

Fashion Reset – ASBCI Industry Summit

Fashion-Enter Ltd’s CEO Jenny Holloway has been invited as a guest speaker at the ASBCI industry summit on 11th October 2022 in York. Fashion Reset: a collective response to global challenges will look at key issues across the product lifecycle, with a focus on identifying areas where organisations can work together to find collective solutions. The summit will combine expert presentations with panel discussions that enable delegates to join the debate, ask questions and network with each other. 

Fashion Studio Grading Prices

Please note from the Fashion Studio…The grading prices are dependent on the number of pattern pieces within the sample pattern. Please see below for the price structures: 

1 – 5 pieces £25 per graded size 

6 – 12 pieces £30 per graded size 

13 – 20 Pieces £35 per graded size 

20 Pieces + Price on request of reviewing the garment 

10% surcharge for inconsistent jumps

Calling All Learners

If you have completed a course with us please could you check that you have picked up all of your work files / folders. We have amassed a number of learner files at the FTA and we need the space to be cleared. 

Please contact education@fashion-enter.com or pop in to collect.

Factory Tours and CPPD’s

Come and see how an ethical garment factory operates, along with the micro-factory technology that is in place to produce on-demand and sustainably. This week assistant buyers from ASOS took our factory tour and seminar. Feedback included: “Great experience! Super insightful and useful / interesting to see the factory and machines.”

Tap here for more on our factory tours

Masterclasses and Courses

Ongoing Stitching, Patterns and Tailoring 

Leicester Summer Special Sewing Course (Throughout September / early October)

Sales and Socials via Zoom – 30th September

Why Your Fashion Brand Needs to Operate via a Hybrid Model to Succeed in 2023 via Zoom – 12th October

4 Key Strategies to Make You More Positive and Motivated (free) – 18th October

How to Prepare Your Range for Sales Overseas – 8th November

Optitex Technology 2D & 3D – 9th – 11th November

Gerber Accumark for Beginners – 16th – 18th November

Sourcing and Supply Base Strategy via Zoom – 23rd November

How to Approach and Sell Your Collection to 3rd Party Platforms – via Zoom 14th December

Fabric Swatch of the Week

Autumn shades at the ready, we are embracing beautiful seasonal shades such as this burnt orange hammered satin, available at the FC Fabric Studio at £6- per metre.

This Week on FashionCapital…

How to start a pop-up clothing shop

And Finally…

The Fashion-Enter Ltd team have been visiting the Brand Licensing Europe event over at ExCel London. This year’s theme is Fashion and leading brands have been showcasing their sustainable fashion products. FEL CEO Jenny Holloway said: “Now is the time to work with UK factories, make to demand and despatch directly to the end user. Look at the time we’re saving and reduction in transport.” The Brand Licensing Event is open to industry and continues tomorrow Thursday 22nd September.

Until next time, have a great week.

From the Team at FashionCapital