From Digital Design to Wearable Garment…
28-06-2023
Newsletter 28th June 2023
Be Your Own Designer
It has never been easier to design a one-off piece or begin a capsule collection, thanks to our on-demand printing services at our micro-factory in North London. With no minimum order restrictions in place the FEL team can sustainably print direct to fabric or direct to garment.
Next week, Wednesday 5th July, we’ll be showcasing how efficient and effective our made-to-demand service is when the 3 winners from the Phygitialtwin X Fashion-Enter Digital Design competition will see their garments become a reality right before their eyes!
This competition was open to Ravenscourt Park Preparatory School Kids (Year 6) as a part of London Tech Week. More on this next week. To find out more tap here.
If you would like to get in touch to learn more about how we can make fabric printing and production easy and efficient for you, contact: callum@fashion-enter.com
Style3D and Fashion – Enter Ltd Announce Strategic Partnership
Exciting news went live last Friday: Style3D, a global pioneer in digital fashion solutions, announced a strategic partnership with Fashion-Enter Ltd. This collaboration marks the birth of the first Styleverse Innovation Centre within Fashion-Enter’s Haringey factory in North London this summer and the launch of a specialised 3D design training facility.
Tap here to find out more about this exciting and innovative partnership.
Scanning & Upcycling at the Collective
The FC Designer Collective on Fonthill Road has been buzzing with activity with N Brown’s 3D body scanner and on-site upcycling taking place.
The data collected over the two-day event will be used to create master patterns and 3D avatars for product development, providing a more accurate reflection of customers’ body shapes which we know are changing all the time!
Carole Wilson, Product Innovation Manager at N Brown Group commented: “As always it’s a pleasure to work with Jennifer Holloway and the team at Fashion-Enter, it’s an exciting collaboration, thanks for your dedication and support in making this event happen.”
This simultaneously took place with on-site upcycling facilities, members of the public were able upcycle their free N Brown garment or other garments in the shop, to adjust fit or to customise to their own taste.
The FC Designer Collective is more than a shop, want to find out more about what we can offer – come and see us:
FC Designer Collective, 113-115, Fonthill Road, London N4 3HH.
Shop opening days / hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 – 17:00
Don’t Miss our Summer Sample Sale
Join us at the FC Designer Collective on Fonthill Road for our Summer Sample Sale. We will be offering crazy prices on unique items. There will be some great bargains on offer alongside patterns and fabrics for those looking to get creative.
Save the date: Friday 30th June and Saturday 1st July at FC Designer Collective, 113-115 Fonthill Road, N4 close to Finsbury Park tube station. Opening hours 10am – 5pm.
FEL at the Future Fabrics Expo Today
Today, 28th June, our CEO Jenny Holloway will be joining Cyndi Rhoades (Circle 8 & Worn Again Technologies), Graham Clark (British Wool), Ifeanyi Okuwadi (Designer) for a panel discussion at the Future Fabrics Expo.
The Expo is being held at Magazine London in North Greenwich and is the largest dedicated showcase for sourcing certified, sustainable material solutions.
Jenny and the panel, moderated by Malini Mehra (GLOBE International), will discuss “Revival of the UK Textile supply chain: through the Sustainability lens.”
If you missed the Expo you can visit Future Fabrics Virtual Expowhere a selection of exhibitors are showcased online.
Break Free From The Discount Trap: Boost Your Cash Flow Today!
Are you tired of being caught in the never-ending discount cycle? Discounts may offer short-term revenue gains for your fashion brand, but in the long run, they can negatively impact your margins and brand reputation. It’s time to break free and reclaim control of your cash flow.
According to McKinsey & Company, fashion businesses heavily reliant on discounts may experience a significant 25-30% decrease in margins. Fortunately, there are ways to escape the discount trap – and Inventory Planner by Sage’s new 5-step guide will show you how to do just that, while boosting your cash flow.
With this guide, you’ll learn proven strategies to maintain profitability without compromising your brand’s value. Say goodbye to the vicious cycle of discounting and welcome a more sustainable approach to revenue generation.
Download Inventory Planner’s guide today and take the first step toward escaping the discount trap. To get your hands on the guide, click the link here: https://bit.ly/447xpgF
Start implementing these steps today and experience the difference they can make to your bottom line.
Speaking On Scaling Up
Yesterday evening, 27th June, Jenny joined established London Fashion Week designer, Phoebe English, for an honest talk on scaling up and securing funding. The event, held in Southwark, London, wasmoderated by Aga Segurana, founder of ASV and attendees were encouraged to ask any burning questions. Many thanks to ASV for hosting this event.
Aga commented: “I wanted to personally thank-you (Jenny) for being one of our panellists in our first ASV Collective panel discussion. Your insights and expertise were truly inspiring and made the event a huge success.”
FEL is currently offering a series of free masterclasses via Zoom on a range of topics suitable for new designers and start up brands. Tap here for the full agenda, the next session is scheduled for 13th July and is An Hour with Designer and Brand Owner Louisa Parris.
Studio Spaces Available
The FC Designer Workspace currently has affordable private studios available to rent. Supported by Islington Council the FC Designer Workspace offers highly competitive rates for small businesses to flourish.
To find out more please contact: beth@fashion-enter.com
Apprentices Gain Pattern Cutting Insight with the FTA
Learners studying Level 4 Fashion and Textile Product Technologist Apprenticeship and Level 3 Fashion Studio Assistant working for Mountain Warehouse, Lyle & Scott, JD Sports and Margaret Howell attended their Pattern Cutting Class with Lan Leeder.
The feedback spoke volumes:
‘I have learnt how the pattern is drawn and how to use measurements on the spec; it was very well structured and delivered.’
‘How to draft and resize the patterns for hood, skirt and shirt with sleeve. I really enjoyed it, would love to do more and do the course’.
‘I learnt how to analyse fit patterns and how to change patterns manually. Amazing teaching, very thorough.’
All Apprentices found the session beneficial and valuable. The next step is to introduce them all to the new Style3D technology.
Masterclasses and Courses
Roll-on courses available at all campuses, Islington, Haringey, Newtown and Leicester…
Diploma in Fashion Design and Business
If you are unemployed or low income (below £23,302.50), over 19-years-old, you could be eligible to join some of our courses for free. Email: education@fashion-enter.com to enquire.
13th July An Hour with Designer and Brand Owner Louisa Parris (Free via Zoom)
31st July – 3rd August 4 Day Beginners Stitching and Upcycling
7th – 10th August 4 Day Beginners Pattern Cutting Course with recreation of your favourite personal garment
11th August 1 Day Upcycling and Repair Workshop (all levels)
16th – 18th August 3 Day Corset Pattern Making and Stitching Course (advanced)
22nd August 1 Day Reversible Tote Bag Stitching Course (beginners)
23rd – 25th August 3 Day Soft Furnishing Course (beginners)
30th August Mastering the Fashion Business Blueprint: Fine-tuning your plan for success (Free via Zoom)
This summer the FC Designer Collective on Fonthill Road is thrilled to be collaborating with Jessica Purdie, founder and creative director of Prikli Pear. Jess will be hosting a series of four beginner crochet workshops at FEL’s shop throughout July tap here for more details.
FCFTA Leicester is also open throughout summer and able to offer an introduction to garment making courses to young people – this is a great way to see if fashion is a career for you. Courses are 1 day for £30 or 4 days for £75.
To enquire please contact: divya@fashion-enter.com
This Week on FashionCapital…
Sustainability in the fashion industry needs to be tackled from the bottom up
And Finally…
Recent press on the UK’s garment manufacturing industry makes for some rather disturbing reading; Drapers, The Industry. FEL’s Deputy CEO, Jackie Bertram, talked to Retail Editor at The Times, Isabella Fish, about the current crisis and drop in orders within Leicester’s manufacturing sector. The resulting article can be found here. Surely now is the time for retailers to be honourable with their supply base and the government to support with at least 25% of all PPE contracts to be made in the UK!
Until next time, have a great week,
From the Team at FashionCapital (Sister company to Fashion-Enter Ltd)
