Big News: Jenny Holloway Chairs ATMF To Support Suppliers in Leicester
18-03-2025
Newsletter 12th March 2025
ATMF Supporting Proud Leicestershire Manufacturers
Exciting news…our CEO Jenny Holloway has taken the position of Chair of the Apparel & Textile Manufacturers Federation (ATMF).
The long-established ATMF works with various stakeholders such as manufacturers, designers, brands, innovation centres and universities to promote quality production that utilises local industry, skill-base and vertical set-ups to ensure shorter supply chains. Sajjad Khan has done a sterling job as Chair over the decades and has built
excellent foundations to connect and support Leicester’s fashion and textile sector.
Jenny comments: “Thank you Sajjad Khan for your comments and well done for creating the ATMF. You should be proud – you made a stand when the factories needed a voice.
“I did not take the decision lightly to be Chair but I do care passionately about our glorious garment manufacturing industry. Only this morning I was at a meeting with MakeUK and Department of Education and I was flying the flag for garment making to be part of the ‘selected’ Skills England priority sector under creative industries.
“I have several priorities for ATMF, including liaising with the Department of Health and Social Care and UK Ministry of Defence for public procurement contracts that provide British ethical factories with a minimum of 25% of contract value. Our factories need work, and our Leicester Made trade show on 14th May 25 will showcase hard working, ethical suppliers that we have right here in Leicester.”
Leicester Made will take place Wednesday 14th May at Athena, Queen St, Leicester LE1 1QD.
For all enquiries, please contact: beth@fashion-enter.com
If you would like to attend Leicester Made 2025 please tap here
From Repair to Recycle
Public response to our Repair Week activities was outstanding last week. At our Repair drop-in workshop over 74 items were either repaired or upcycled. It just goes to show how individuals are embracing the repair and repurpose movement.
Next up is Global Recycling Day, 18th March, recycling is another one of the 6 R’s that we are targeting as a sustainable business.
If you would like to know more about our initiatives take a look at The Sustainable Future of Fashion powerpoint presentation.
HOPE-FX #2
Our second edition of HOPE-FX, a unique programme in partnership with North London NHS Foundation Trust, to engage and support young adults on a creative project to encourage positive mental health, is currently underway.
Now into its second week participants were treated to industry insights from Carolyn Springett.
FEL CEO Jenny Holloway comments: “We are delighted to confirm the HOPE-FX 2 project with the North London NHS Foundation Trust, a network spanning Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey, and Islington.
“We are now into week 2 and we’ve had an excellent start to the new cohort which is double the size of the first. We were fortunate enough to have an inspirational guest speaker Carolyn Springett, who has taken many senior roles during her illustrious career.
“What was important was the fact that she stressed that she started at the very bottom of the career ladder when she first worked with Jeff Banks. Caroline was absolutely engaging and motivational for all the individuals that attended.
“This is just one aspect of the HOPE-FX 2 programme whereby we also deliver confidence building skills, communication, team building and leadership skills, and general wrap around support, as well as building a community that meets every Tuesday for the next 3 months.”
Celebrating Multiply in Leicester
On 11th March, the Leicester Fashion Hub attended the End of Project Celebration for the Multiply programme, led by the Leicester Adult Education. FEL’s Fashion Hub Leicester pioneered this course, embedding essential numeracy skills into fashion and textiles. Covering key industry applications—such as cutting ratios, garment measuring, and financial literacy—Multiply has empowered 120 learners over 2.5 years. With 101 participants completing the programme, the council has now confirmed funding for 2025/26.
“Delivering the Multiply course has been an incredible journey. We have supported learners from diverse backgrounds, helping them build confidence in numeracy and understand its vital role in the garment industry. From financial calculations to garment measurements, these skills are now part of their professional toolkit.” – Divya, FTA Leicester Assistant Manager
Mont Rose College – Sustainability and Innovation Talk
Today, 12th March, our CEO Jenny Holloway was a guest speaker at Mont Rose College to present on sustainability in business today. This was a generic review of how to embed ethics and sustainability best practices into brands and corporates.
Over 75 students attended the event from a wide background of courses from Mont Rose Hospitality and Business programs.
Jenny commented: “What inspiring and engaging adult learners! For over two hours there was positive engagement from the attendees with some of the students presenting their ideas and interactive exercises. There was such a positive reception the Q&A sessions lasting much longer than expected. I was particularly impressed with some of the new business concepts and looking forward to future engagement.” A huge congratulations to our talented tutor John Herrera on his Paris Fashion Week debut! His haute couture collection, Femme à la Mode, showcased technical excellence and visionary design on fashion’s biggest stage.
Tutor John Herrera Debuts at Paris Fashion Week
A huge congratulations to our talented tutor John Herrera on his Paris Fashion Week debut! His haute couture collection, Femme à la Mode, showcased technical excellence and visionary design on fashion’s biggest stage.
Stay tuned—new workshops with John launch next week, covering illustration, draping, and pattern cutting!
John commented: “I am thrilled with the reaction to my new collection and being featured in Tatler.
“I pride myself on detail, high skills and understand the importance of luxurious quality. I also care passionately about fashion and my teaching at the Fashion Technology Academy in Haringey and Islington. It has taken me years to develop my skills and now I want to help FashionCapital’s designers to be the best they can be by learning construction skills that will hone their craft.
“At the end of each month FashionCapital provides a free, online seminar and in April’s seminar I will be speaking with Jenny Holloway to discuss my career and how to help designers.”
To view more of John’s work visit his instagram page here
Sequinova Shortlisted for H&M Global Change Award
Big congratulations to Clare Lichfield, founder of Sequinova and resident at FC Designer Workspace, for being shortlisted for the H&M Foundation Global Change Award in Sustainable Materials & Processes.
Sequinova’s biodegradable sequins are a game-changer, replacing traditional plastic with eco-friendly alternatives that naturally break down, reducing microplastic pollution.
Masterclasses and Courses
Roll-on courses:
Available at all campuses Islington, Haringey and Leicester.
Diploma in Fashion Design and Business
Stitching:
17 March – 2-Day Beginners Course: Skirt and Simple Bodice with Sleeves – FC Designer Workspace – £70
17 March – 4-Day Introduction to Industrial Sewing and Garment Making – FC Designer Workspace – £110
24 March – 2-Day Stitching Course: Mastering Dress and T-shirt Construction – FC Designer Workspace – £70
26 March – 2-Day Stitching Course: Mastering Skirt and Trouser Construction – FC Designer Workspace – £70
31 March – 4-Day Introduction to Industrial Sewing and Garment Making – FC Designer Workspace – £110
Pattern Cutting:
20 March – 2-Day Darted Bodice Pattern Cutting Course – FC Designer Workspace – £70
24 March – 2-Day Dress Pattern Cutting Course – FC Designer Workspace – £70
27 March – 2-Day Trouser Pattern Cutting Course – FC Designer Workspace – £70
31 March – 4-Day Beginners Pattern Cutting Course – FC Designer Workspace – £110
Repair and Upcycling Drop In:
25 March – School Uniform Repair Workshop – FC Designer Collective shop – Fonthill Road – Free
Support and Advice:
26 March – Masterclass: From Design to Production – Getting It Right First Time – 1-hour Online interactive masterclass – Free
For all course enquiries contact: education@fashion-enter.com or call 0208 809 3311
This Week on FashionCapital….
Why UK Brands Should Attend Leicester Made
And Finally…
Proud moment…did you know FEL’s Fashion Studio team helped produce @elvdenim’s entirely upcycled AW25 collection presented at London Fashion Week? It was fantastic to work with E. L. V. Denim, a brand that fiercely mirrors our dedication to sustainable and ethical practices.
If you need production support; patterns, sampling, small scale manufacturing the Fashion Studio team are happy to help!
Until next time, have a great week.
From the Team at FashionCapital
