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Inspiring Innovation – Fashion’s Next Chapter

11-05-2022   


Newsletter 11th May 2022

Kornit Fashion Week London – 15th – 17th May

Earlier this year Fashion-Enter Ltd and Kornit Digital forged a unique partnership with the opening of the new Fashtech Innovation Centre, at Fashion-Enter’s HQ, for sustainable, end-to-end, micro-factory production. The centre acts as a showroom where visitors can experience a fully-functioning micro-factory, where demos of the Kornit Atlas MAX and Presto S are combined with on-site garment production. Throughout Monday 16th & Tuesday 17th May attendees of Kornit Fashion Week are invited to the Fashtech Innovation Centre in Haringey to see the micro-factory in action. Tours of up to 20 attendees will be given by our Production Director Caroline Ash.

Additionally Fashion-Enter CEO Jenny Holloway has been invited to speak at the keynote and panel session at Kornit Fashion Week at the Freemasons’ Hall on Tuesday 17th May. The 3-day event includes fashion shows with collaborating Kornit designers such as Preen, Aharon Genish, House of Jaffa and Julia Clancey.

To register for this exciting and innovative event please use the following link: https://web.cvent.com/event/23ea29b4-994c-4bfc-ada9-733627b6ca0d/summary 

————————— More from Haringey ——————————

As Seen in Drapers

Our forward-thinking partnership with Kornit Digital was recently featured in Drapers, tap here to read the full article.

Factory Seminars and Tours

So far this week we have welcomed a group of students from the Fashion Retail Academy in London and two groups all the way from Warrington College of Business, University of Florida in the USA!

The organiser of the latter, Jiamei Jin, commented: Our students absolutely loved the visit, they couldn’t stop talking about it afterwards, Caroline is such an inspirational and engaging speaker, it’s definitely one of the best visits we’ve had. Thanks so much for organising it for us, really appreciate it.”

Hands-On Learning for our Garment Tech Apprentices 

As a garment technologist it’s essential to have a basic knowledge of pattern cutting. The apprenticeship teaching team have therefore been delivering pattern cutting lessons and garment technology ‘surgeries’, to provide learners with the opportunity to gain knowledge about the pattern cutting process. Here is some feedback from the most recent session…

“Learnt how to fix some common fit issues with sleeves. Great session – clear – and I was able to ask questions throughout.”

“10 out of 10, I learnt so much about pattern amendments.” 

———————————— Leicester —————————————

Level 1 Certificate Presentation with Cllr Adam Clarke

On Tuesday 10th May Cllr Adam Clarke, Leicester’s Deputy City Mayor, presented certificates to the first and second cohorts of learners at the FC Fashion Technology Academy (Leicester).

The 20 learners completed their Level 1 Stitching qualification gaining an accredited SEG Level 1 award in fashion and textiles. The course provides a great introduction into garment and textiles and has been provided for free through funding via the Community Renewal Fund. 

The FCFTA (Leicester) has now supported 45 learners with this course and are currently enrolling for the next cohort. To enrol please contact Jackie at FCFTA Leicester on 0116 4362560 or email: Education@fashion-enter.com 

Short Video from Ex-Lean Director at Burberry   

A short video with James Stewart, ex-lean director at Burberry is coming soon on why Lean and Proximity Sourcing is the only way to go.

Fashion-Enter CEO Jenny Holloway comments: “Thank-you James for your visit today (10th May – Leicester). 18-months ago you predicted the great demise of retailers and etailers overstocking resulting in major decreases in profitability. Let’s hope that the value of skilled manufacturers is now being realised.”

Enrolment – JCP Pegasus House & Gaining Employment

It was great to be back at Pegasus House Job Centre Plus on 4th May – spreading the word about our Level 1 Stitching course. 

Fantastic news, Bhati, one of our Level 1 stitching learners has secured a full time Job in the garment industry in Leicester. Brilliant to see our students using the skills that they have learnt at the Academy and making a career in the Fashion & Textiles industry.

3 Apprenticeships based in Leicester on Offer

Barcode Design  – Product Development 

Shahtex – Design Assistant 

T Shirt Company – Merchandise Assistant 

Photoshoot with Denovo 

What fun was had with an impromptu photoshoot at Leicester Garment Maker Denovo Apparel. Denovo are involved with the Community Renewal Fund initiative and were very happy to support, the pictures will be part of the Leicester Made Directory – coming soon to promote talented and compliant Leicester manufacturers.

Save the Date…

16TH June – Leicester Textile Meet & Greet

————————————— Islington ————————————

SilkFred Scouts Advise

Yesterday, Tuesday 10th May, SilkFred scouts attended the FC Designer Workspace to advise and scout for new womenswear and accessories brands. Attendees were extremely positive about the session and feedback included:

“There is a real opportunity to launch my designs and create a real business out of it with a company that can offer great support!” – Marcella 

I feel this session has covered everything I needed to know regarding starting a new brand. Brilliant masterclass, very educational.” – Louisa

I have learnt so many skills and methods – I am truly inspired!” – Angela 

New Free Sewing Masterclasses

We are hosting a series of sewing masterclasses at the FC Designer Collective shop on Fonthill Road, these sessions are FREE for all Islington residents. Each 2-hour masterclass is led by our fantastic technician and tutor Leyla who has over 40-years experience in sewing! There are limited spaces for each session, and they are booked on a first come first served basis. Topics covered will include:

Basic Sewing Techniques

How to Upcycle Your Wardrobe

and Using Industrial Sewing Machines

Please tap here to view all the available dates and to book your place.

Free Monthly Upcycle Workshop

Due to popular demand the Repair & Upcycle Workshop is here to stay! Each month we will teach you how to flip your thrifts and existing clothes instead of throwing them out. The next workshop will take place on Friday 20th May 10am – 2pm at the FC Designer Workspace. Tap here to book your place.

Saturday Pattern Making Course!

  Learn how to make a perfect fit and style pattern for any size or measurement. 

This six-week course will cover: 

The Telestia method will teach you how to create an accurate block in just 15 minutes. 

This course is ideal for designers or anyone looking for a pattern cutting role in industry 

Location: FC Designer Workspace
Start date: 21st May 10am – 2pm 
Cost: £379 (can be paid in three instalments) 

Email: jenni@fashion-enter.com for more information or to book your place. 

—————————————— Wales ————————————

The Fashion-Event First Fabric Samples

Fashion-Enter Ltd Wales and students at NPTC Group of Colleges – Newtown College in Powys are gearing up for the Made in Wales – The Fashion Event this summer. Taking place on Friday 8th July the students are currently working on their designs and have just received their first fabric samples…hot off the Kornit Presto printer.

Carys Jones. Art & Design Lecturer at Newtown College said: “It was so exciting to see our Art & Design student’s artwork being brought to life today as we saw them printed on to fabric for the first time. I can already picture their vibrant designs on the catwalk at the big night this summer. Roll on the 8th of July.”

This Weekend – Heritage Festival Newtown 

The Heritage Festival due to take place at the iconic Royal Welsh Warehouse, which is also known as the Pryce Jones building, take place this Saturday, May 14th from 2pm. The team are proud to continue the regions long heritage of garment production, providing quality products, jobs and learning opportunities. Fashion-Enter Wales will have a stand and also present in-house homeware brand Spyce Jones. This festival is open to all.

Novel Yarn Project – Spinning

The Novel Yarn project with SMARTCryum and Potter Group is progressing well with Chrissy from The Lost Sheep Company now researching, spinning and sampling Fashion-Enter’s sourced wool. Next she will incorporate the recycled fibre to develop the yarn. Tap here for the latest updates on this project.

————————————————————————————————————————

Just In…New Apprenticeship

Pretty Lavish continues to emerge within the fashion industry bridging the gap between the high street and designer brands. The team are now looking for a motivated Garment Technology Apprentice. This position is based in Hertfordshire, tap here for the details.

Masterclasses & Courses

Ongoing Stitching, Patterns and Tailoring Courses

How to Grow Sales downloadable masterclasses with Carley Johnson

1-Day Telestia Taster (14th May)

Free Sewing masterclasses in Islington (Throughout May & June)

Leicester – Manufacturing Meet & Greet event (16th June)

Gerber Accumark 3-day course for Beginners (6th July)

Fabric Swatch of the Week

Tonight it’s ‘Summer Week’ on The Great British Sewing Bee and we are feeling those floaty, summer vibes with this light-as-air mint floral satin. Available from the FCFabricStudio at £7- per meter.

This Week on FashionCapital…

Nick Gould Partner / Solicitor at www.aria-grace.com has been providing us with his legal advice and expertise for over 12-years, here he shares more case examples that small companies and start-ups can learn from.

And Finally…

Coming soon – 1st June 2022 – Fashion Studio services in Leicester. Due to unprecedented demand we will be opening a new service of pattern making and sample making for designers. Over the past two months we have had tens and tens of enquiries and it’s time now to offer a complete service for designers that can then work with the Leicester factories to make orders! 

If you are interested to know more about this new service please contact: jackie@fashion-enter.com  

Until next time have a great week!

From the team at FashionCapital.




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