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Fashion – Enter Wales Now Open!

07-10-2020   


Newsletter 7th October 2020

Fashion-Enter Ltd Wales!

Our huge news this week is that Fashion-Enter Ltd has opened a second factory unit in Newtown, Wales!

The Newtown production facility employs over 70 former Laura Ashley workers and is supported by Welsh Government funding from its Economy Futures Fund.

Following crucial support from the ReAct wage subsidy programme, the 77 skilled former employees of Laura Ashley will initially produce 10,000 garments a week for ASOS, as well as PPE for luxury clothing brand Private White VC.

Located at the Royal Welsh Warehouse, known locally as the Pryce Jones Building, both Laura Ashley and Pryce-Jones are a part of the incredible garment production heritage in the area and Fashion-Enter is thrilled to continue this manufacturing legacy. But that’s not all; Fashion-Enter’s CEO Jenny Holloway has additional plans for a Fashion Technology Academy within the building to ensure on-going training and skills development in the sector.

Jenny said: “Many of the stitchers we have hired had loyally worked at Laura Ashley for more than 35 years. I couldn’t rest knowing they were going to lose their jobs. You also don’t find experienced stitchers of that number anywhere anymore, they are like gold dust.

“We are absolutely delighted with the support and guidance we have received from the Welsh Government which has resulted in Fashion-Enter being able to employ staff and we still want to recruit a further 30 stitchers. Our order book is currently full, and the sky is the limit.”

To read the full press release on the Fashion-Enter Ltd Welsh factory tap here.

Press Coverage Galore!

The news of the Welsh factory went live on Monday and we have already received some fantastic coverage.

BBC Wales Today came into the factory and interviewed the CEO Jenny Holloway, Sewing Machinists – Judith Jones and Jessica Smith, along with Supervisor Rachel Bufton. The news story aired at 6.30pm on Tuesday 6th October.

Other press that have featured the story include Drapers, BBC online, Powys County Times, Business Live, UKFT, The Industry.fashion, Shropshire Star, Just-Style amongst others.

Jobs Available for the Welsh Fashion-Enter Factory

We have positions available at our new Welsh unit we are looking for:

Garment Machinists

Experienced garment machinists that have a minimum three years expertise working in an industrial factory. Needs to be proficient at using all industrial machines; overlocker, coverstitch, flat machine, button holer, button attach, felling machine (optional). Training is available. Very important to be a team player in this new factory in Newtown.

Production Garment Supervisor

Experienced industrial supervisor that has knowledge of working with retailers or etailers in fashion. Needs knowledge of garment construction and garment making minutes so can aid a busy team of 20 machinists. Ideally has a minimum of five years working as a machinist in a factory using overlocker, flat, coverstitch and buttonhole/buttonhole attach. Full time position available on PAYE.

To view full key responsibilities and requirements tap here.

To apply please call 01686 248148 or email Annabellalewis@fashion-enter.com 

Apprenticeships Now Available

We have two new apprenticeship positions just in – one for a Fashion Design Apprentice with N16 Vintage Ltd and another for Pattern Room and CAD/CAM Assistant at the Tailoring Academy. These and various other positions for Erdem and N16 Vintage Ltd can be viewed here.

FTA Technical Residency

Bridging the gap between fashion education and the fashion workplace, the Fashion Technology Academy (FTA) Technical Residency fills in those essential manufacturing gaps that are not often taught at college or university.

What the FTA Technical Residency can do for you:

To find out more about the tailor-made FTA Technical Residency tap here.

Westminster Uni Take the Virtual Factory Tour

Today students from Westminster University are taking the Fashion-Enter virtual factory tour. The two-hour session takes place via zoom and provides a complete overview of who we are, what make us an ethical factory and the complete garment life cycle via a power point presentation. Following the talk, the students go on a virtual tour through the factory so they can see each operation in action in both the Factory for large scale production and the Fashion Studio for sampling and short production runs. The team encourages the students to engage and ask questions throughout and to really get the most out of the session.

To enquire about costs and to book a tour please email jenni@fashion-enter.com to discuss further.

FC Designer Collective & London Repair Week

London Repair Week takes place next week 12th – 17th October and the FC Designer Collective team based on Fonthill Road, London N4 are fully on board. At the shop we have on-site machines and can offer alterations, repairs and bespoke services. Stitching tutor Leyla (pictured above) will be available to take projects on board and she loves nothing more than a challenge! If you need a repair, alteration or would like to learn how to use a sewing machine then please visit the shop and book in with Leyla.

Email: fcdesignercollective@fashion-enter.com

FC Designer Collective, 113-115, Fonthill Road, London N4 3HH.

Shop opening days / hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 – 17:00

Fabric Swatch of the Week

Thinking of making an outfit or decorating your house this Halloween? This web-like, black crochet looks ideal and has a hint of glitter for additional drama. Available by the metre now at the FCFabricStudio.

This Week on FashionCapital.co.uk

FC Designer Collective: Buttress & Snatch small scale, artisan lingerie.

And Finally…

Not long until the Make UK Manufacturing Awards 2020! The South Online Awards Ceremony will take place on 20th October 2020 from 4pm, fingers crossed for the Fashion-Enter team and good luck to the other manufacturers’ involved.




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