Get Stitching This Summer

Newsletter 20th July 2022

Leicester: Learn to Stitch This Summer

The FCFTA Leicester is running a series of summer stitching courses, perfect for those wanting to learn a new skill in just 5-days. This short course will introduce learners to industrial sewing and garment making, and experienced, multi lingual tutors will be on-hand throughout.

The Summer Stitching course runs throughout August Mon – Fri 10am – 3pm at FCFTA Leicester, Top Floor, Black and Yellow Building, 30 Stonebridge Street, if you are interested please confirm which week you would like to select upon enrolment.

Tap here for further details and to book your place.

Fashion Studio Leicester

The Fashion Studio in Haringey, London provides production services such as first patterns, samples, seals, grades and short run production from 1 unit to 300. Now, we are pleased to announce a Fashion Studio service at our Leicester campus. This is excellent news for those starting a new brand, local community groups, through to factories and businesses.

Manager Jackie comments: “Our team at FCFTA will support you to ensure that your design is ready to be sampled through an initial consultation meeting. We will make your sample here in Leicester with our experienced machinists and we can provide patterns from our London studio. This is a great way to start a brand or just put your design ideas into fabric.” 

Fashion Studio sample making service is available at £19 p/h (+ VAT)

Pattern making and lay planning can also be offered through our London studio £29.50 (+VAT)

Please contact: Jackie@fashion-enter.com 

Launch of the Apparel & Textile Manufacturers Federation

On the 18th July members of the Fashion-Enter Ltd team attended the launch of the newly formed Apparel & Textile Manufacturers Federation (ATMF). Founded to revive the historical trade of textile and garment manufacturing in Leicester, and with the aim of building a more ethical and sustainable textiles sector, the ATMF will act as a voice for suppliers.

Jackie Bertram Manager at FCFTA Leicester said: “It’s a privilege to be invited to the launch of the ATMF. Over the last 6-months, with the support from the Government and LCC via the Community Renewal Fund (CRF) – the FCFTA Leicester has focused on delivering skills and support to local garment factories, workers, and the local community, these are important small steps. This next phase, with the ATMF in place is exciting and the FCFTA is here to continue to support on skills, community and business support and positively grow Made in the UK and Leicester Made.”

The FCFTA Leicester is one of the supporting partners of the ATMF to read more about the launch at the House of Commons tap here.

Haringey: Tomorrow – The Sampling Process

Join Caroline and Claire via Zoom tomorrow Thursday 21st July from 10am – 12pm to learn all about The Sampling Process. The industry experienced pair will inform you on how to work with a sampling unit and what the complete process involves. This session is aimed at start-up designers and those thinking about setting up a clothing label.

The Sampling Process masterclass is free for FashionCapital members, Islington residents and those on the N17 Creative Callings programme, email: jenni@fashion-enter.com or £20 plus VAT. To book your place please tap here.

N17 Creative Callings – Morgan Jones

We are delighted to introduce to you the latest designer to join the N17 Creative Callings programme! Morgan Jones is a Tottenham based fashion designer who launched his brand 5 years ago. He is now receiving free training and business support via the programme by upskilling on the Level 2 pattern cutting course and meeting his mentor Jenny for tailored business support to take his brand to the next level. We spoke to Morgan about his journey and what he hopes to get out of the programme…tap here to watch the You Tube interview.

If you are based in the Tottenham area and you are a creative worker, freelancer or business get in touch today to find out how we can support you! Email: n17creativecallings@fashion-enter.com 

Islington: Kimonos, Canapés and MP Jeremy Corbyn

Modesty wear brand Anaqaa Apparel held a Kimonos & Canapés sales event at the FC Designer Collective last Saturday, and MP Jeremy Corbyn was there to support.

Anaqaa Apparel founder Majida said: “It is so emotional, to be honest, to be here today. Thank-you to Mr Jeremy Corbyn to be with us today and thank-you to all our guests, all the friends and the team that supports us. Thank-you to our trustees, this has been a long journey to be in a shop, but nothing is impossible. It has taken 6-years to be in the shop and I started the whole journey back in 1984. I can now say that the journey is different and has become easier with more opportunities. Thank-you Fashion-Enter.”

Next up FC Designer Workspace resident ‘Hashtag Made IV Me’ will be hosting a fashion soiree at the Workspace on Friday 5th August. More details and eventbrite link coming soon.

Wales: Novelle Yarn Development

Since mid-February 2022 Fashion-Enter Ltd Wales in collaboration with Potter Group have been researching, investigating and trialling a novelle yarn that utilises recycled clothing and recycled plastic with natural, biodegradable Welsh wool.

Tap here to read the latest on this project.

Fashion-Enter Ltd CEO Jenny Holloway said: “The Novelle yarn programme has been one of the most exciting programmes we have worked on in the last 17-years! We have created a new yarn that has a minimum 50% Welsh Wool content combined with recycled PET and SNR (Synthetic Nylon Rummage from discarded clothing).

“We’re very appreciative to SMARTCymru who have co-funded this study and now we have two retailers that have a genuine desire and intent to use Welsh Wool in commercial production.   

“With EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) this work on wool is vital – we need to look at our domestic resources and bring back wool production in Wales.”

Jobs and Apprenticeships

We have several jobs and apprenticeships on offer within the production side of the fashion industry. Please tap here to view all the opportunities ranging from Studio Manager to Garment Tech Apprentice.

Masterclasses and Courses

Ongoing Stitching, Patterns and Tailoring Courses 

How to Grow Sales downloadable masterclasses with Carley Johnson

The Sampling Process Via Zoom – 21st July

Leicester Summer Special Sewing Course (Throughout August)

4 Key Strategies to Make You More Positive and Motivated (free) – 8th September

Gerber Accumark for Beginners – 12 – 14 September

Fabric Swatch of the Week

This week we’ve been inspired by pretty florals and have picked out this soft, repeat print floral in cotton stretch. Ideal for a fitted top or dress. Available from the FCFabricStudio at just £3.50 a metre.

This Week on FashionCapital

Lars Rensing, CEO of enterprise blockchain and Web3 solutions provider Protokol discusses the importance of digital to capture Gen Z and millennials in the luxury market sector.

And Finally…

It’s not every week you get a letter from the Queen’s Lady-in-Waiting at Windsor Castle! However Divya (FCFTA Leicester) recently received a very royal correspondence expressing the Queen’s gratitude for the framed portrait of Her Majesty painted by her husband, Vijayendra Kamath. Congratulations on receiving this wonderful letter!

Until next time, have a great week,

The Team at FashionCapital