Be the Change
09-06-2021
Newsletter 9th June 2021
Find Us on the eBay for Change Marketplace!
We are super excited to announce that our in-house brand B of London can now be found on the ‘eBay for Change’ marketplace. Launched on the 3rd June 2021 B of London is one of the 50 small businesses to be included with a collective ethos of giving back to the local community.
eBay for Change shoppers will be able to access a broad range of products from clothes to homeware, and jewellery to collectables. Every purchase made will have a direct, positive impact on supporting disadvantaged communities – whether that’s providing job or training opportunities, or tackling social problems like homelessness, exclusion, improving people’s life chances, or supporting environmental action.
The initiative supports a recent report that over three quarters (81%) of UK adults have changed their approach to shopping as a result of the pandemic. Spending more consciously and “for good”, the majority of the UK (56%) now believe it’s more important to buy from businesses that give back to society. Buying a B of London design supports local employment and training in Haringey, north London. It also supports Made in the UK garment manufacturing – great for the local economy and the environment.
To find out how you can support communities every time you buy, visit ebay.co.uk/ebayforchange
To visit social enterprise Fashion-Enter’s ‘B of London’ on the eBay for Change marketplace tap here.
Leicestershire Innovation Week
Preparations are underway for Leicestershire Innovation Week (21-26 June 2021). The programme includes a high-profile launch event at Space Park Leicester, organised by the University of Leicester and the LLEP. Dr Kotecha will be joined by Space Park’s Prof Martin Barstow, astronaut Susie Imber, and Innovate UK’s Dean Cook. The event will showcase the opportunities created by this innovative project, for businesses across Leicester.
Other highlights focus on the way we travel, business start-ups, the role of women leaders in innovation, small business and innovation, the creative sector, food and drink, fashion and textiles and diagnostics in the health sector.
Don’t miss the session from Fashion-Enter and the new FCFTA on Thursday 24th June 3.00 – 4.00 pm ‘Rebuilding the image of Leicester’s fashion industry’. Councillor Clarke will open and talk about the advantages of reshoring back to the UK in terms of speed of response, technical innovations, and smaller quantities so that unsold garments do not contribute to landfill. Fashion-Enter’s CEO Jenny Holloway and Production Director Caroline Ash will join to discuss – what are the lessons learned from recent events? Ethical audits and how to attain leading status in the Fast Forward audit.
You can find full details about Innovation week at www.bizgateway.org.uk/innovation
Job Vacancy: Sample Room Team Lead
Pentland Brands is a global family business that works with several well-known activewear and footwear brands. The team is currently recruiting for a Sample Room Team Lead for a 6-month FTC based in Sunderland.
The role: As part of the Product Assurance team, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Sample Room building an enthusiastic and dynamic team to support the needs of technical product development. This facility provides a valuable service to achieve brand business needs, namely working closely with Product Development teams to create prototypes and provide construction solutions to ensure product quality and desirability. The role will be responsible for driving innovation in current prototyping capabilities, considering digital and 3D software whilst establishing a hub of activity for product development within the respective brands.
Tap here to find out more and apply.
URBAG® Launch and Discount Offer!
URBAG® offers an adaptable, sustainable and stylish solution for transporting and storing your dry-cleaning. Founded by Marie Callan URBAG ® is a young start–up with big ambition: to shake up the dry–cleaning industry and eliminate the unnecessary use of plastic.
After the huge success of URBAG’s® first collection, the brand will be presenting a second collection, handmade in Wales by Fashion-Enter, on Saturday 12th June, at the Zero Waste Goods Summer Fair in Old Spitalfields Market, Commercial Street, London E1, from 11am to 5pm.
To celebrate the launch, URBAG® are offering a 10% discount to all members and followers of Fashion-Enter/FashionCapital until Sunday 20th June with the code: FashionEnterJune, valid online and at the market stand on Saturday 12th.
Visit URBAG® online at urbagofficial.com and in store with participating dry cleaners across London.
FC Designer Collective Event: Cupcakes & Cocktails with Diva Choice
The Diva Choice, Cupcakes & Cocktails experience will take place on Saturday 3rd July 12 – 5pm, customers are free to pop in for music, cocktails and cupcakes while browsing the latest designs. Diva Choice, founded by Tricia Blake, is a womenswear accessories, clothing and pampering brand that aims to empower and make women feel and look amazing.
Along with some on-the-day bargains those spending over £30 will get £5 off on Diva Choice and Fashion-Enter’s ‘Made in the UK’ brand B of London.
The Diva Choice Cupcake & Cocktails free event will take place Saturday 3rd July 12 – 5pm at the FC Designer Collective, 113-115, Fonthill Road, London N4 3HH. Close to Finsbury Park tube station. See you there!
The Latest From Belles & B of London
What’s selling with our in-house brands? Well, it seems summer has finally hit the UK and along with a steep rise in footfall on our High Streets we have noted an increase in searches and sales for summer dresses. From the Belles of London range Caroline’s draped, easy-to-wear Athena dress is selling well, while over in the B of London camp it’s bridesmaid and wedding attire such as the Ava and Leona dresses that are gaining the most attention. We are pleased to say that we will be offering more colourways in these styles soon.
Masterclasses & Courses
For our continual agenda of Stitching, Pattern Cutting and Tailoring courses please tap here.
How to Build a Brand with Dancing Leopard (online)
Gerber Accumark 3-day Course for Beginners – September
How to Do Your Own PR (online)
Fabric Swatch of the Week
It’s the semi-final of The Great British Sewing Bee already, and in tonight’s episode the contestants will be revisiting the 1940’s era, making Oxford bag trousers and channelling Dior for the Made to Measure challenge. With 40’s silhouettes in mind we have picked out this stunning floral print scuba in champagne available, in limited supply, now from the FC Fabric Studio.
This Week on FashionCapital
And Finally…
Coming soon… complimenting the FC Designer Collective retail hub will be an affordable workspace for creatives in the locality. Mary Obaseki founder of Another Earthling stocked at the Collective said:
“Having an affordable and truly local workspace will be hugely beneficial for my business. Because of my mental health I’m someone who spends most of my time at home so having more of a boundary between work life and home life, somewhere I feel safe and comfortable will be incredible.”
