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Community & Charity This Christmas!

08-12-2021   


Newsletter 8th December 2021

Festive Fonthill Road!

Last Saturday, 4th December, we hosted the first Fonthill Road Christmas Market, promoting local fashion designer start-ups, craft makers and local businesses. The festive event really brought the community together and alongside the various stalls there was live music, craft making and some delicious food and drink on offer.

Jenni Sutton, Development Director at Fashion-Enter, said: “It was fantastic to see the famous Fonthill Road rejuvenated on Saturday for its first Christmas Market supporting small local businesses and Fonthill Road traders.

“For many of the start-ups, this was their first market and selling opportunity, and the whole experience gave them such confidence!

“We are extremely grateful to the European Regional Development Fund programme and Islington Council for the funding and support which enabled us to host the Fonthill Road Christmas Market, in a bid to invigorate the local community and put Fonthill Road firmly back on the map as a shopping destination.”

Craft maker Mary Obaseki, from Another Earthling, added: “The first Fonthill Road Christmas Market was fantastic for Another Earthling. We made some great sales and booked a couple of new clients into the studio for fittings this week. Great to be out selling with all the other designers, such a sense of achievement and togetherness. We got to have a dance and ate far too much cannoli; it’s definitely Christmas now!”

This event was hosted by Fashion-Enter and Islington Council, in partnership with the Fonthill Road Traders’ Association, and supported by a grant from the European Regional Development Fund, via the Greater London Authority.

Tap here for more images and feedback from this event.

Charity Starts at Home

Last month one of our very lovely clients donated rolls of fleece and Fashion Studio Assistant Gee came up with the idea to create warm ponchos for a local homeless charity. Over the past two-weeks tutors Ana and Lan have been busy working with their learners to create the pattern and stitch the ponchos which are now ready for delivery. Here is Taylor wearing the poncho design. A big thank-you to everyone for assisting with this project, it has been excellent for the team and the learners to be able to give back to the community.

ITV Filming at FTA (Leicester)

Today, Production Director Caroline Ash, is being filmed by ITV Central at the new FC Fashion Technology Academy (Leicester). The film crew will interview Caroline along with some learners and the Deputy City Mayor Cllr Adam Clarke. The footage will focus on the opening of this new, educational facility and what it will provide for Leicester’s manufacturing industry. Keep an eye out for the coverage!

Proudly Made in Wales – Spyce Jones 

The Fashion-Enter Welsh team have created their own in-house kitchenware brand: Spyce Jones. The brand name is a play on Pryce-Jones the pioneering mail order entrepreneur and his iconic Newtown building, the location of Fashion-Enter Wales today. Visit www.spycejones.com to view the launch range of high quality aprons, oven gloves and kitchen towels.

NPTC College Visit Fashion-Enter (Wales)

Yesterday, 7th December, 21 students plus 3 staff from NPTC Group of Colleges came for a visit and tour of the Fashion-Enter factory in Newtown, Wales.

The students had a guided tour of the factory and Commercial Manager Eddie Bebb explained how the factory was created and currently operates stage by stage. Jenny Holloway then presented a variety of garments and explained the different fabric types, prints, colours, pieces per garment and garment construction. 

The staff and students engaged in a question-and-answer session which they really enjoyed and this helped everyone engage and interact. 

The Welsh team will be working with the college in the New Year running stitching courses, apprenticeship programs and also a fashion show in April which Kornit Digital will also play a big part of. The students were very excited and already coming up with ideas of what they would like to do. Jenny invited the staff and students to visit the London factory in the New Year. Altogether a very successful and inspirational day!

Ofsted Inspection Report

The Fashion-Enter Ltd Ofsted inspection report is now live and online, tap here to view. The inspection focused on our apprenticeship offering and we are pleased to say we were rated ‘Good’ across all six criteria.

New Garment Technologist Apprenticeship

Just in…we have a great opportunity for an apprentice Garment Technologist to join the F&F team at Tesco. This position is based in Hatfield to find out more and to apply tap here.

Important Fashion Watchdog Online Meeting

You are invited to join the APPG for Ethics & Sustainability in Fashion on Wednesday 15th December via Zoom. The meeting from 2 – 3pm will explore the introduction of a Fashion Watchdog/Garment Adjudicator in further detail alongside Traidcraft Exchange, the University of Aberdeen and other stakeholders. Presenters will share evidence and survey results from garment workers across fashion supply chains. Tap here to register.

#fashion-watchdog

Eric Gilston at the FC Designer Workspace

Today, Eric Gilston, the author of “The Life Coach’s Toolbox – How To Help You Help Others TODAY”, was at the FC Designer Workspace for one of his popular, motivational masterclasses. The focus in this packed session was on gaining a positive outlook and setting goals as we head into 2022. A big thank-you to Eric, he knows how to make attendees feel at ease and offers valuable tips to encourage and make the most out of life and career.

Tailor Made Cutting Course

From 30th November the Fashion-Enter team welcomed a group of four individuals from a government organisation. The group completed a 2-day tailor made cutting course with Factory Manager Chris Toumba and Garment Technologist Elle Argyrou. The course included up-to-the-minute health and safety information with live, practical demonstrations and the opportunity to demonstrate understanding through observation and participation.

One learner commented: “I gained a better understanding of how to lay fabric and of how to use the Eastman knife, plus knock on affect of bad cutting practices.”

We offer a range of workshops and seminars that can be tailored to specific job roles or educational courses, contact education@fashion-enter.com 

Masterclasses & Courses

On-going short courses in Stitching and Pattern Cutting available, the next start date will be Monday 10th January 2022 – to find out more visit our FCFTA website or contact education@fashion-enter.com

Free Sewing Masterclasses (Weekly for Islington Residents)

Diva Choice – Cupcakes & Cocktails Shopping Event – FC Designer Collective 18th December

Optitex 3-day Course (18 – 20 January)

Gerber 3-day Course (26 – 28 January)

Fabric Swatch of the Week

Cosy up in this heavyweight brushed knit, be quick though we only have a few metres left in this snug, pale grey fabric. Visit the FCFabricStudio to view and shop this fabric at £5- per metre.

This Week on FashionCapital.co.uk

The denim industry is renowned as one of the most polluting industries in the world, from excessive water use to its reliance on a cocktail of chemical dyes and finishes. Thankfully, the sector is finally starting to incorporate sustainable production processes. In this article we explore the latest developments in denim and the technological advancements that go with it.

And Finally…

Please note our Christmas and New Year closing dates between 24th December – 4th January.

Until next time, have a great week!




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