For the Love of Fashion…
18-09-2019
Newsletter 18th September 2019
Dear all,
A Long Weekend of Fashion
The team have been very busy indeed over the weekend from London Fashion Week to Wings4Fashion, Fashions Finest and the Hidden River Festival here are the highlights:
Wings4Fashion
Our very own CEO Jenny Holloway was invited as a ‘Pitch Your Fashion Business’ panellist at the 2-day Wings4Fashion event on the 14th September. Hosted by FatakaFashions the event aims to provide everything a fashion designer or a brand would need to succeed in the fashion industry. With an excellent line-up of panellists offering support and funding we decided to add our in-house label Belles of London into the mix with Brand & Development Officer Stephanie Knapp presenting the range.
Here’s what Stephanie said about the event: “For my first time pitching at an event of this kind, it was a great experience and I feel that Belles of London was very well received by the panellists. It is always so lovely to represent a brand that I am so passionate about and to have the opportunity to share that with others is a really great feeling.”
The event also included an exhibition, fashion show and gala dinner was extremely well attended. Jenny Holloway added:
“I was blown away with such a genuine intent to help budding designers and entrepreneurs. Within just a four week period Founder and CEO Dattatraya Kadikar created the Wings4Fashion event which is basically the fashion industries equivalent of Dragons Den. A panel of seven judges (including me) vetted brands to put them forward for investment from £100,000 to £500,000 for their concept. The idea is that the London Fashion Fund headed up by chair Prof. Yu Xiong invests in brands in exchange for equity.
“We had contacted a few of the 70 brands we work with as we always want to share a good deal but timing was not on their side especially as this was London Fashion Week too. At the last minute we decided to take Belles of London and pitch for business. I made full disclosure of our involvement and credit to Stephanie our Brand and Development Officer she gave an excellent pitch! Now we wait to see if we are successful!”
Belles of London Now Selling on FatakaFashions
You sometimes get a feeling about someone when you meet them and that’s exactly what happened when Dattatraya Kadikar came to see us last week. Not only did he invite our CEO as a mentoring panellist at Wings4Fashion but he also introduced us to his designer online marketplace. Click here to check out Belles of London on the FatakaFashions Designers Marketplace.
Fashions Finest
Meanwhile, also on the 14th Saffron was over at Fashions Finest representing Fashion Enter / FTA and all the services and courses we provide. Fashions Finest provides a one-day bi-annual event for emerging designers to showcase their work during London Fashion Week. This season the catwalk shows were packed with plenty of visitors to the Fashion Enter stand asking questions and taking leaflets. Thanks to Director of Fashions Finest – Deborah St Louis for once again involving us with this initiative.
Hidden River Festival 2019
Last weekend Esme and Marcia were representing Fashion Enter at the Hidden River Festival, a family-oriented day celebrating local culture, nature, arts, craft activities and local musicians in Woodberry Down. The team were on hand to give advice on technical training and job opportunities within the garment manufacturing industry. Children and adults took part in our Design competition as well the ‘personalise your own clutch bag’ activity using crayons on bags made by our very own talented technician May. The event generated a lot of interest in our weekday short courses, the three-day Saturday Stitching and Patterns class, our Level 3 Tailoring programmes as well as our Educational school visits.
Listen to Jenny on the MakeUK Made: In Britain Podcast
Business reporter Jonty Bloom explores all that manufacturers need to know to navigate the Brexit maze. In the first of a series of Podcasts he talks to Fashion Enter CEO Jenny Holloway on how Brexit will impact her fashion production workforce.
Tap this link to listen to the podcast.
New Apprenticeship Position with Fashion Enter
We are currently recruiting for an Assistant Shop Manager Apprentice. This position will be based at Fonthill Road in North London. The ideal candidate needs to be excellent with people, passionate about sales and organised with some retail sales experience. Be a part of our unique retail project, to find out more and apply click here.
Masterclasses
Fashion Brand Bootcamp – This Saturday 21st September
This Saturday 21st September FashionCapital is providing a one-day masterclass with industry experts that have been through the real highs and lows of running a brand. From 10am to 4pm we will get you and your fashion brand ready with our six industry experts. The Fashion Brand Bootcamp will cover each key area of business including; developing your collection and your brands signature, supply chain and logistics, sampling and production, sales and promotion, understanding costs and keeping on budget, along with how to keep yourself motivated and positive. Attendees can pre-book one-to-one 20-minute sessions with one of the industry professionals at the end of the session.
How to Realise Your Goals with Life & Business Coach Eric Gilston 26th September
Life and Business coach Eric Gilston has committed to an on-going programme with us, his masterclasses are free and including: How to Realise Your Goals’ Professionally and Personally on the 26th September 11am – 1pm. Learn the keys to effective goal setting and achieving those goals, the best techniques to set goals, see the benefits from taking action based on great goals and how to have a productive day today and every day.
TR Pattern Cutting for Beginners – 28th September
Our popular TR Pattern Cutting taster masterclass with the ‘Queen of seams’ Claudette Joseph is back with another instalment on Saturday 28th September at the Fashion Technology Academy. The three-hour session introduces learners to the TR pattern cutting technique, a form of origami pattern cutting which translates into immediate and intuitive 3D creations, in opposition to the more conventional way of drafting. For more details and to book click here.
Former learner Chionma said: “It just blew my mind when I did the TR Pattern Cutting course, it was like – wow, like a bolt goes off in your head.”
Also Coming Soon…
Legal Eagle With Nick Gould
On Tuesday 8th October 2019 Nick Gould, ‘the common-sense lawyer with mismatched shoes!’ will be back to host another of his highly informative Legal Eagle Masterclass aimed at new business start-ups.
For all things legal from IP rights, patents, copyright, database rights, UK product design, community designs and trademarks – this is a masterclass not to miss. Click here to find out more and book.
Fabric Swatch of the Week
We are just days away from the launch of our new FCFabricStudio online store but until then we’ve picked out this simple grey jersey with a hint of sparkle. Available online at the FCFabricStudio now at £5 per metre.
This Week on FashionCapital
We take a look at what has been happening at the latest edition of London Fashion Week, from new names to new initiatives.
As well as catching up on all the fashion pack’s latest style statements in our LFW Street Style post.
Fashion Brand Bootcamp takes place this Saturday, we tell you 5 good reasons why it’s a good idea to attend.
And Finally…
The Retail Defined: You Must Change or You Will Die 1-Day Seminar / CPPD has been confirmed for the17th October 2019. James Stewart, Lean Director Burberry will be hosting this top level accredited seminar with leading international speakers on the importance of the Toyota business model or ‘Lean’ practices to ensure continued success for retailers. To find out more click here.
