Back to Business…
17-06-2020
Newsletter 17th June 2020
Dear all,
With non-essential shops re-opening on Monday and the recent version of London Fashion Week in a digital format it is very much the case of business is back – but not quite as we know it. Lockdown, it seems, has given the fashion industry the breathing space to revaluate and reconsider how it does business and this time of new beginnings will prove crucial.
Happy is the New Luxury
Which leads perfectly into our next N17 Creative Callings online seminar. Led by Lauren Morrison – ‘Happy is the New Luxury’ will cover tips on mental health and wellbeing and how the fashion industry is changing post pandemic. This is a free 2-hour masterclass taking place this Friday 19th June tap here to find out more and book your place.
FTA Re-Opening Times
Please note that The Fashion Technology Academy is starting to reopen – it will be phased as below:
The Stitching Academy is now open
Pattern courses will commence 29th June 2020
And the Tailoring Academy will be opening end July 2020
The Return of Retail – FC Designer Collective
Long before Covid-19 impacted our daily lives plans for our own shop the ‘FC Designer Collective’ in collaboration with Islington Council and the Mayor of London (Good Growth Fund) were well underway. More than just a store the FC Designer Collective will act as a hub for creatives in the North London area with in-house making facilities, regular meet-ups, seminars and events alongside locally made designs and products. Now the green light has been given for shops to reopen we can now confirm dates and plans for this exciting retail concept.
CEO of Fashion-Enter Ltd Jenny Holloway comments: “We are really looking forward to the opening of the ‘FC Designer Collective’ at the end July located at 113-115, Fonthill Road, Islington. This will be a new type of retail shop, which will include garments being made on-site with an alterations and repairs facility, plus a range of local designers from the various sewing groups that exist in Islington. This programme will then extend to the opening of Affordable Workspace at the early part of next year too so very exciting times ahead!”
Winding Down Furlough Schemes
As lockdown eases and orders begin to return its time for employers to think about winding down employees on furlough schemes. The scheme has been extended to the 31st October however employers are obliged to pay employee NIC and pensions from August 1st. Since the start of May the number of furloughed employees has risen by a quarter to reach 8.4 million. The government is now encouraging businesses to bring back furloughed workers part-time to crank up industry while reducing the cost to the taxpayer.
Virtual Factory Tours
Since 2006 Fashion-Enter Ltd has offered informative Factory Tours to provide students at schools, colleges and universities, along with industry professionals, insight into how an ethical and compliant factory works. These popular tours have been regularly undertaken by students at London College of Fashion, Fashion Retail Academy, Ravensbourne, Bath Spa University, the Princes Trust and many more. The positive feedback from these tours confirms how educational they can be.
In line with Covid-19 guidelines Fashion-Enter has developed a digital virtual tour of the factory, which comprises of the same information as before and allows students to participate and discuss via Zoom or Teams.
To find out more contact: education@fashion-enter.com
Up Skill with Optitex
Next week we start our 3-day Optitex course for Beginners! Take your 2D pattern cutting skills a step further with innovative Optitex technology. This software is not only excellent for pattern making but 3D rendering and garment manipulation on avatars. Tap here to find out more and book your place.
New from B of London
Belles of London’s diffusion range ‘B of London’ exclusive to online clothing retailer SilkFred.com has just introduced a selection of new dress styles! Tap here to view the new designs.
Get Your Masks Here!
Wearing a face mask has become the norm when out and about and on public transport. Our range of children’s and adult masks come in a selection of sizes, colours and prints. The team have perfected the fit to ensure the cotton masks are comfortable and fit the face correctly. To view and buy tap here.
June / July Short Courses
Optitex 2D & 3D – 3-day Course – 24th / 25th /26th June
Optitex 2D & 3D – 1-day Introductory Course – 22nd July
Online Telestia Pattern Cutting Course with tutor support – on-going
TR Pattern Cutting Taster Masterclass – 4th July
Gerber AccuMark 3-day Course for Beginners – 29th / 30th / 31st July
Fabric Swatch of the Week
Inspired by ‘80’s Week’ on the Great British Sewing Bee? How about these bright orange shoulder pads from our haberdashery section! Tap here to view and buy.
This Week on FashionCapital
How was it for you? Digital London Fashion Week makes its debut.
Black Love Matters… Lauren Morrison, Fashion Consultant and founder of Mi-bambino London Ltd and Jenny Holloway, CEO of Fashion-Enter Ltd openly discuss their views in light of the Black Lives Matter movement
Diary of a Junior Designer – based in Leicester, Brooke Tate gives us an inside view of her role with the company and what her job entails.
And Finally…
We are still recruiting for experienced machinists contact: caroline@fashion-enter.com and have free stitching course placements remaining for those on Universal Credit or earning less than £20,572 a year contact esme@fashion-enter.com if you would like to know more.
